Trust In His Sufficiency

"Trust In His Sufficiency"
By Zach Wood
James 1:2-8

This is a wonderful time of the year for celebrating with family, friends and loved ones.  There’s just something about this time of year that lifts many people’s spirits and puts them in a joyful mood. 

Christmastime is a memorable time of year.  However, I cannot help but think of people who also really struggle during this time of year.  I’m not at all trying to put a damper on all the wonderful celebrations that go on this time of year, but I just want to point out today that this time of year is very difficult for people. 

Many people this time of year struggle for various reasons.  Some struggle from losing a loved one around this time of year and miss them terribly.  Others may have negative family memories that have happened in the past. 

Perhaps some trials and tribulations have affected you recently and it’s taking everything in you to keep up your Christmas spirit this year.  You know you need to hold onto God and His promises, but you are still struggling.  Perhaps you may not be dealing with this personally, but someone else in your family could be or someone that you know well is dealing with this.

One thing we all need to realize is that we come to a point in our lives where there are some serious trials and it takes all that we are and every ounce of strength just to get up in the morning to live another day of life.  The reality of life is sometimes very hard to swallow.  This world is a harsh place, but we serve an Almighty God who truly understands the pain we go through. 

The testing of your faith produces perseverance.  We mature when we grow through the trials and our faith is strengthened. We all experience these trials in life.  There’s no escaping them or even when they happen.  When I think of trials in life, I cannot help but think of the Apostle Paul when he talks about the thorn in his side in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Sometimes God says no to taking away the pain and promises to be our sufficiency.  He wants us to completely trust in Him, even though we have no clue what He’s doing, because He wants to use the pain we’re going through to produce something new and strong within us.

If you are struggling this time of year, take comfort in knowing that you have a wonderful and loving Heavenly Father who loves you and is holding you tight.  Trust in His sufficiency even if you don't feel that He is near. He is and He will guide you and lead you. 

Why Do We Worship? (Our Approach To The Throne)

"Why Do We Worship? (Our Approach To The Throne)"
By Zach Wood
Romans 12:1-2

One reason is because God is Worthy to be Worshiped and Adored.  Another reason is because of what God did for us in sending Christ to die for us.  Are we going to continue to be consumed by the duties of our daily lives, or will we realize that our ways are nothing compared to what God wants to do with us and through us? 

God wants to transform us through worship.  When we truly worship, we experience a complete transformation of our hearts and minds into more of what God wants us to be…..just like Jesus Christ. 

Our approach to the Throne of God should consist of our hearts being willing to lay down a sacrifice of who we are completely and allowing God’s transforming power to surge through us to reveal more of who He is. God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher and mightier than ours.  We worship Him because His thoughts and ways are so much higher and better than we could ever imagine.  His majesty is in such splendor that we could never experience the absolute fullness even if we tried to through our whole lives. 
 
With all these things God has done for us, how can we not realize the opportunity He provides for us to come before His Throne?  No more heavy veil to lift to go into the Holy of Holies and no more only being able to give the High Priest your prayer matter. We should desire to worship because of the beautiful relationship God provides for us to have with Him.  We were created in His image to be a true worshipper. 
 
Isn’t it wonderful that God has chosen us to be His servants, created in his image, to praise him and live our lives as a continual sacrifice for Him?  If we agree that it’s wonderful, then why aren’t we living it?  Where is our daily remembrance and motivation to follow Him?  Is Sunday morning worship going to fill us for the week?

We worship Him because of the Mighty and Loving God He is.  When we make the decision that we want to approach His Throne with our hearts totally and properly focused only on Him, then we have the access to opening the floodgates.