Taken from Bible Study Series, “Help For the Troubled Heart”
Week 3
It’s inspiring to think of the diversity among us in the Body of Christ. By faith in Jesus Christ, God has taken us from every walk of life and made us one in Him. We possess so many differences like where we were born, how we were raised, where we live, the food we like or dislike, and on the list goes. Yet among all the diversities and differences among us in Jesus, we all share in at least one thing, trials. All of us face trials and testings, persecutions and pain, sorrows and sadnesses. None of us are immune to the difficulties of life.
It’s to a struggling group of scattered believers that James writes,
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. James 1:2-4 (NLT)
The New King James Version translates, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
What?! Joy in trials? Are you serious James? It’s a tough truth to swallow.
The truth is, I CAN rejoice in the Lord through the trial because He’s faithful!
Help For The Troubled Heart Testimonies – Bill Lyson from Calvary Church Colorado on Vimeo.
10/29/2017 – Count It All Joy in Christ from Calvary Church Colorado on Vimeo.
We are visiting from Uganda for Christmas. We were present yesterday for the last in the series and felt challenged and strengthened by what you shared. Thank you for speaking the truth in love. Funny story–on the way here last week we got caught up in all the mess at Heathrow and weredelayed getting to Denver by two days. While hanging for hours in the airport I saw someone who looked very much like you, so I approached to introduce myself and ask if the person was you. I asked, “Excuse me, are you Ed?” To which the man startled and simply said, “No, I am Spanish.” (As if that meant he couldn’t be Ed?) I replied, “Well, you could be Eduardo,” thankfully he laughed.