Hi friends,

 

            I hope you have been having a great week. Look for things that you can be thankful for. God has done so much in our lives, and we need to do our part and notice all His kindness. When we do that, when we are truly and continually thankful, our hearts will overflow with joy and rejoicing. This life is hard, so the more joy we can have in our hearts to combat difficulties, the better off we will be.

 

            Jennifer and I have been watching season three of “The Chosen”. Man, I love that show. There are so many things that stand out to me, but one thing in particular happened in Episode Two. The writers imagine that one of Jesus’ disciples, James, has a physical impediment; he can’t walk without a staff to lean on. James is doubting his usefulness and wondering why Jesus won’t heal him. This is what the scriptwriters have Jesus saying in response.

 

            You understand that in the Father's will I could heal you right now and you would have a good story to tell. But there are already dozens who can tell that story and there will be hundreds more. Think of the story that you have if I don't heal you and yet you still praise God in spite of this.

 

Many are healed or not healed because the Father in heaven has a plan for them which may be a mystery. And we remember what Job said, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.

 

When you pass from this earth and you meet your Father in heaven where, Isaiah promises, “You will leap like a deer”, your reward will be great. When you discover yourself finding true strength because of your weakness and you do great things in my Name in spite of this, your impact will last for generations.

 

Remember you will be healed; it's only matter of time.

 

            I love that. Sometimes Jesus heals us and that is a beautiful thing. We praise God when He does those kinds of miracles. I have seen them happen and I pray for them all the time.

 

            But sometimes He doesn’t heal, and we can feel betrayed or ignored or abandoned.

 

            Paul had some type of ailment, a “thorn in the flesh”. He prayed and asked that it would be removed, but instead of removing it, Jesus said, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” And so Paul boasted in his weaknesses because they brought glory to Jesus.

 

            What glory awaits Jesus if we will simply praise Him in our difficult times?

 

            Don’t let your suffering dictate your thankfulness or rejoicing. Choose joy today. Choose gratefulness. Choose a sacrifice of praise. You will find supernatural delight as you do that.

 

            This weekend will be our second in our Boot Camp series where we are focusing on Micah 6:8.

 

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

 

            Pastor Dallas will be preaching on the idea of loving mercy.

 

            I hope you can be here on Sunday or join us online.

 

            Have a great weekend.

 

            I love being your pastor.

 

Pastor Tim