I just came back from a great weekend in London, preaching in Hope London Central on Saturday and conducting a wedding ceremony on Sunday for Hason & Stephanie. God has blessed the wedding day with glorious sunshine. It was so warm that some of us had to stay in the shade when we were taking pictures outdoor! One normally gets this kind of weather in the English summer. In May, it was definitely a bonus.I guess God was smiling at the new couple. I felt very happy for them too because Hason was my student 8-9 years ago when I was lecturing at London South Bank Unive
rsity. He became a Christian when I brought him to Hope London. Stephanie also became a Christian in Hope London. Now they are married – a beautiful story! Indeed, the story of every Christian man or woman is a beautiful story - God’s story. Our journey in Christ is both an exciting and challenging journey, but every bit of it is for a reason, for our good.
On Saturday
, the Lord led me to preach a message based on [James 1:2-4] “How To Face Trouble”, a subject most Christians find it difficult to cope. The truth is Jesus said plainly that "...In this world you will have trouble..." [John 16:33 NIV]. It is because we are living in a fallen world.
[James 1:2-4] encourages us “To Face Trouble” with:
i) Correct Response – “consider it pure joy....”
ii) Correct Understanding – “testing...develops perseverance”
iii) Correct Perspective – “that you may be mature and complete”
God in His wisdom teaches Christians how to live a victorious life in a troublesome world. It will require a supernatural power that comes from the Holy Spirit. Those who rely on God and persevere till the end will be able to look back in life and give thanks for God’s amazing grace and wonderful love.
Maturity in Christ is not necessarily related to age, but is related to a faith that is unyielding when tested again and again and again. “These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may
result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” [1 Peter 1:7 NIV] At 61, I still have some distance to go yet. :o)
Maturity in Christ is “……Trust in the LORD and do good……Delight yourself in the LORD……Commit your way to the LORD……Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil…….” [Ps 37:1-11 NIV]
Maturity in Christ is “……devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,……put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent…..stand firm and without fear……forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by…….be secure, because there is hope…….” [Job 11:13-20 NIV]
Maturity in Christ is “…..not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you……..suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name……So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” [1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV]
Maturity in Christ is to know that “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good…..The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness……Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil……The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous……The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. [Prov 15:3,8,9,16,25,26,29,33 NIV]
Amen & amen.
rsity. He became a Christian when I brought him to Hope London. Stephanie also became a Christian in Hope London. Now they are married – a beautiful story! Indeed, the story of every Christian man or woman is a beautiful story - God’s story. Our journey in Christ is both an exciting and challenging journey, but every bit of it is for a reason, for our good.On Saturday
, the Lord led me to preach a message based on [James 1:2-4] “How To Face Trouble”, a subject most Christians find it difficult to cope. The truth is Jesus said plainly that "...In this world you will have trouble..." [John 16:33 NIV]. It is because we are living in a fallen world.[James 1:2-4] encourages us “To Face Trouble” with:
i) Correct Response – “consider it pure joy....”
ii) Correct Understanding – “testing...develops perseverance”
iii) Correct Perspective – “that you may be mature and complete”
God in His wisdom teaches Christians how to live a victorious life in a troublesome world. It will require a supernatural power that comes from the Holy Spirit. Those who rely on God and persevere till the end will be able to look back in life and give thanks for God’s amazing grace and wonderful love.
Maturity in Christ is not necessarily related to age, but is related to a faith that is unyielding when tested again and again and again. “These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may
result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” [1 Peter 1:7 NIV] At 61, I still have some distance to go yet. :o)Maturity in Christ is “……Trust in the LORD and do good……Delight yourself in the LORD……Commit your way to the LORD……Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil…….” [Ps 37:1-11 NIV]
Maturity in Christ is “……devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,……put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent…..stand firm and without fear……forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by…….be secure, because there is hope…….” [Job 11:13-20 NIV]
Maturity in Christ is “…..not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you……..suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name……So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” [1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV]
Maturity in Christ is to know that “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good…..The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness……Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil……The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous……The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. [Prov 15:3,8,9,16,25,26,29,33 NIV]
Amen & amen.
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