August 12, 2020
Dear SCC & Friends,
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation (trouble), but take courage; I have overcome the world.
~John 16:33
Update #23
Would you be upset or disagree if I said troubles are here to stay?…all kinds of troubles. We could make a never-ending list. The word trouble is derived from the Latin word turbo, which means to turn or stir, cause a sense of agitation or disturbance. Have you found yourself agitated or disturbed in recent days? I know I have been at times…maybe throw in annoyed and/or inconvenienced as well. It’s like having your foot on the gas pedal and brakes at the same time. How long is this season going to last? I don’t think anybody knows, but we have and will continue in the Lord as we adapt to a changing social landscape.
Our patience wanes when things drag out. Consider it all joy, (be of good cheer) my brethren, when you encounter various trials (troubles), knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete (mature), lacking in nothing. ~Jas. 1:2-4 The exhortation is to be of good cheer which I believe means to be up rather than down, trusting rather than doubting, agreeable rather than grouchy. It’s not if we encounter various trials (troubles) but when. Another way to say this…Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. ~The Message
May these days draw us closer to God… We need God’s help, and we have it. Let’s put trouble in its right place by the grace of God and power of the Holy Spirit. Take courage, knowing He has overcome the world…In all trouble you should seek God. You should not set him over against your troubles, but within them. God can only relieve your troubles if you in your anxiety cling to him. Trouble should not really be thought of as this thing or that in particular, for our whole life on earth involves trouble, and through the troubles of our earthly pilgrimage we find God. ~St. Augustine Keep up the good work!
Yours in His love,
Kevin