Trusting the Lord during trials

Why do we have trials? God uses trials in our life for a number of things. God brings trials into our life to conform us to image of His Son. That means that we need to be like Him. In order for Him to do that, God has to chip away all of that stuff that does not look like Him. It is not always easy and sometimes it hurts. But is is good for me. It says in:

Romans 8:28-29

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did forknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amoung many brethren."

How many things work out for good? ALL things work out for good. Even trials and situations that are not pleasant to me. During a trial I am however, required to be joyful.

James 1:2

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations:"

This is a command for me to be joyful. It says to count it all joy. It does not say if I want to, it says when it comes, be joyful!!! Even though we are required to be joyful it does not mean that everything will go well and that it will be easy. The Lord promises to give me the strength that I need. When going through a trial, you can look at it 1 of 2 ways:

1. You can rejoice (as God commands) and be thankful for the trial that God has given you and look forward to what the Lord could teach you.

2. You can become bitter and angry because the Lord brought you this trial. (disobedience)

Which will you choose???? The choice is yours!

The Lord has been teaching me a lot. I found out this summer that my dad has cancer. I also just recently found out that my grandpa has cancer. They are both unsaved. Yet, I can still rejoice. God is still in control and this is just part of His perfect plan for my life. I don't need to understand why. I just need to keep focused on the Lord and continue to trust Him.

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

I am to think on those things. I need to not loose sight of the things that I do have in Christ. I have so much! God has promised to take care of me and He will!

Philippians 4:19

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 3:5-6

" Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

The Lord will take care of me because He promised to. It has been neat to watch the Lord provide. I am looking forward to seeing what He will do next. I need to continue to trust Him.

11 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

Even when it may seem that no one knows what you are going through, God does!! He is the God of ALL comfort. He is the best comforter out there. Sometimes during the midst of a trial it is very hard to see why God has you going through it. You might not see how the Lord can use this in your life for good. Later on you may have the opportunity to encourage and help someone else because of what the Lord taught you during that trial.

When going through trials I am never alone!!!

God is:

1. Above me: Psalm 91:4- Above me are God's overshadowing wings.

2. Beneath me: Deuteronomy 33:27- Beneath me are God's everlasting arms.

3. Around me: Psalm 34:7-Around me the angel of the Lord encamps on all sides to deliver me!

4. In me: Philippians 4:7- Inside me God's peace that passes all understanding guards my heart and mind.

Psalm 68:19

"Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits,

even the God of our salvation."

This verse has been a huge encouragement to me. It is so easy to go throughout my day and not think of the little blessings that the Lord has given me. When things get busy I forget to stop and look at what the Lord has done. I love this verse...he daily loads us. Wow, he could just give a few...no he loads us with benefits or blessings. These blessings are not just big things, they are little too. Since I found this verse I have stopped and wrote down a few of what my blessings for that day were. If you don't think things are going as well as you think they should. Stop and count your blessings. There will be a lot...I know!!! What has the Lord blessed you with today????

Summer 2009

Jenny's Journal
The Lord allowed me to spend my summer at Camp CoBeAc in Prudenville, Michigan. It has been a great summer. My job was hospitality. I had the privilege of working with 6 other girls. Our job was to keep all of the buildings clean. We would clean the chapel, gym, pavilion, lodge, latrine and the bath house. Since my job was cleaning, you don't really get to spend a lot of time with the kids. I did however, have the privilege of leading in devotions with the girl campers. This was truly a blessing to me. I was scared when they asked, but the Lord helped me through it. I helped with Junior camp by supervising a girls cabin in the morning. Through this opportunity I really got to know some of the girl campers.
The Lord has taught me a great deal this Summer. I struggled with counseling others. I did not think I could do it. So, I started praying that the Lord would send some girls that I would be able to encourage. This week i was able to talk to a handful of girls. All but one of the girls I had talked to came from an unsaved family. It was neat to see how the Lord used my life experience to minister to these girls. One of the girls that I remember most, told me her whole life story and I could relate to everything that she was saying. I was able to give her some verses that has helped and encouraged me. It is neat to see how the Lord helps us through trials. It is even a greater blessing to see how we are able to help and encourage others as a result of our experiences.
I was very busy with camp...sorry that I did not get to update as much. I am going to try to do better. I also did not have a computer cord this summer. My cord broke....praise-someone was able to get one for me!
I am going to be participating in an internship program at Camp CoBeAc for one year. My meals and lodging will be provided by Camp CoBeAc and Retreat Center however, I will need to raise financial support to cover other expenses I will have for the year. As of right now, I don't have one main job. I am learning to do a little bit of everything, including working in the coffee shop, snack shop and office. The camp has a Bible Institute that will be starting this fall: Walk Right Bible Institute . I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord has for me here at Camp CoBeAc.
I will post pictures soon!!