Well, I said I wasn't going to blog in 2013, but  as I have posted the "windows into my soul" on Facebook I realized that if I posted it in the form of a blog that more people may be able to view it. While, my soul purpose in sharing my journal thoughts and devotional insight is not to see how many people view it,  God caused me to think about the impact He  could have through me and a broader reading list. 

Original Post 1/2013:

FB Post:

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power  that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:18-20 NLT)

This scripture keeps popping into my devotional readings.  Yesterday and again today in 2 different venues.  Ok God-I think you are trying to tell me something...SO what is it, specifically?  I have used these verses as a text many times in my speaking opportunities.  I know full well what they mean, but what do you want them to mean to me, today, this year?  

Could it be the "power" point (no pun intended); that I need to better understand the incredible greatness of God's power in Christ's resurrection, to fully embrace the power that is available to me through Christ's living? The power to alleviate   pain, the power to reverse depression, the power to change my cravings, the power to surrender and trust totally.  I need this resurrection power!  Lord, help me to tap into it, to plug into it, to allow you to fill me with it. Enable me to fully embrace the power I have in You through the Holy Spirit.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

(JAMES 1:2)

"Consider" it, James challenges us with these carefully chosen, inspired words.  The fact of what James did not say, speaks more to this verse than what he does say.  He does not say embrace it,  or love it, or do it now! He says consider it!  The word consider means to think carefully about, think about it and be drawn towards it, take it into account, ponder it...  James knew that  when we face trials and temptations that our first response would not be joy! However, he challenges us to stop and ponder it as a possibility that our trials are a reason for joy. That God believes in us and wants us to embrace what I wrote about in light of the Ephesians scripture.  God allows trials in our lives so that we can consider,  think carefully about it, be drawn toward Joy and thus embrace the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.  Let's face it, if everything always went our way or as we planned or all honky-dory, would we ever be drawn toward God's joy and Christ' resurrection power?

I know in my life that I would not give Christ and his resurrection power any consideration if it were not for my faith. My faith is a result of my need for God. My need for God stems mainly from my difficult circumstances. Sure, I was raised in a Christian home, knew the truths of the Word-forgiveness, salvation, joy, etc... However, knowing these truths and experiencing them, embracing them are totally different.  

SO, I am in a place where I have considered it pure Joy that I have trials.  Do I pray for trials? No, I am not there yet. However, I can honestly thank God for the trials in my life; some brought on by living in this sin-filled world and some brought on by my sin-filled choices.  Either way, I am joyful! Perhaps if I lived a life of trial free, utopia I never would have seen myself for the sinner that I was.Perhaps I would not have embraced my need for God's forgiveness and the need to be reconciled to Him through Christ's sacrifice for me on the cross.  

No matter how I look at it, James' admonition makes more sense then ever before!  I consider it pure joy that I have trials,  equally importantly, I consider it am amazing gift and privilege to understand the incredible greatness of the power of Christ's resurrection that I have at my disposal to overcome any trial that comes my way.  My gratitude is great as is my joy!!!