I am not but I know I AM

Life is full of seasons (seasons of plenty and seasons of want), and as your walk with God grows, so will the steps of faith.

Obedience is painful!!

God will continue to call you to obedience, even in the mist of what seem like impossible circumstances...

Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Find encouragement in these words, and press on towards the hope that He promises.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you - plans to give you a hope and a future.

Paul struggled with a thorn, which God revealed was from Him for Pauls good.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

He never said it would be easy, but He promised it would be worth it!

James 1:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Have you ever heard of Andy Stanley? Listen to his message "power play" here: http://www.northpoint.org/messages

Also, if you have itunes, do a search for the latest podcast from Matt Chandler ( http://www.thevillagechurch.net) ; it's titled Ecclesiastes part 10

exuberance

what is a rose least it not blossom
what of glorious aroma least it not be smelled
what if sweet chocolate was never tasted

but a breath

what is a sunset least it not to behold
what of quenching water were it not for thirst
what if an embrace was never felt

only a breath

what is a word least it not have meaning
what of harmonious melody were it never heard
what if a glimpse was forgotten

breath: temporary, passing, brief

His call is to life
but it requires death

His call is to life
but it costs everything

painful, difficult, narrow

of JOY INDESCRIBABLE!