Joy in the Face of Trials
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
When I was a kid in Sunday School, we used to sing the chorus from the book of Nehemiah, “The joy of the Lord is my strength. Oh, the joy of the Lord is my strength.”
The Bible says, “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).
Trials like COVID-19, social unrest, hurricanes, rancorous politics, economic slowdowns, wildfires.
Sorrow, pain, fear, disappointment, discouragement or depression? Joy in the face of this?
Yeah, right. I can’t do that.
But that’s the point. We can’t do that, not on our own. We need the Lord to deal with God-sized trials.
The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him” (1 Pet. 5:7), and “find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
Then there’s this promise:
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17).
One fruit of the Spirit is joy. God’s joy in us becomes our joy in him.
How do we survive and thrive even in the midst of trials?
The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10).
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.
You Are Unique
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
If you're feeling the need for humility, 1) Google your name; 2) search your name on LinkedIn...You are not as singular or unique as you think you are, at least not based upon your name.
However: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:29-31).
Actually, you are unique. Not very unique or really unique, just U-nique.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2017
*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Rex or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
Everyone walks a path in life, one that features many forks. Some directions could lead us to better things, others to serious difficulties. Sometimes we can ascertain the possibilities before we make a decision about which fork to take; sometimes we cannot.
Importantly, at times the Lord provides us with clues if not outright clarity about the direction we should take. These clues or clarity come in the form of friends who speak into our lives.
In the Old Testament, Balaam rode his donkey down a path leading the wrong way. The donkey balked, Balaam beat him, and then God did an amazing thing: he gave the donkey speech. The donkey clearly warned Balaam away from destruction, but Balaam did not listen to the donkey in his life.
Question is: Do we listen to the donkeys in our lives? Here's more:
© Rex M. Rogers - All Rights Reserved, 2014
*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Rex or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
Want to communicate with God in heaven? Want to think God's thoughts after him? You can, and here's how:
Who knew God was ahead of the social media curve?
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2012
This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Rex or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com or follow him at www.twitter.com/RexMRogers.
Cubic Zirconia Christians
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
"Faux" or fake Christians abound. Likely I've fallen into that category at times in my life. But it's not a good place to be or to stay.
Here are a few thoughts on a certain kind of fake Christian:
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2012
This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Rex or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com or follow him at www.twitter.com/RexMRogers.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
I always loved the Old Testament story of the talking donkey, in part because I've always loved animals of any kind. But this is more than an animal tale (Numbers 22).
The donkey in this story, Balaam's donkey, proved smarter than his human. Perhaps there are donkeys in our lives with words of wisdom too.
I've had a few donkeys in my life, and I didn't always listen. When I did, I've been the better for it.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2012
This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Rex or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com or follow him at www.twitter.com/RexMRogers.