Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church
Life is good. Life is hard. Living with these two realities is tough. Every day we feel the pull of both on our lives.
God knows our challenge. He calls us out from the daily struggle to hear His voice, “I am with you. Do not be dismayed.” The Lord gives us Himself.
We are tempted to cope our way through life. Many of us do. We can feel tempted to compromise by trusting God with some of our life but not all our life. Not sure that we can really trust Him enough to get us through the daily demands, to get ourselves out of the messes we have gotten ourselves into, or because we may be afraid of His answer to our problems - we get stuck with burdens which weigh us down.
How to make the most of a marriage which is less than we expected? How to handle the daily feeling of “I’m not worth much”? How to get myself out of overwhelming debts? How to get unhooked from on-line pornography? How to not feel lonely or angry most of the time? How to get myself into healthier friendships? How to stop cursing? How to stop my addictions to a drug? How to (you fill in the blank)?
The story of Joshua, as well as thousands of other stories, illustrates what God can do with followers whose hearts, heads, and hands are empowered by courageous faith. And this kind of faith is a non-negotiable requirement. We must not be so foolish to think that because our technological cultures have changed so dramatically from theirs, that the essential character of faith has also changed. It has not. No, what must change is our capability to utilize this faith in the 21st century.
Are you ready for some answers? Then listen to God’s Word at work. Try starting with the Book of Joshua in the Bible. Under the press of life’s good & hard tension, Joshua heard God say three times, Be strong in the Lord! Be of good courage. Read the story of Joshua and see what it means for you today.
Pastor Les Hollon
“Where faith is there is courage, there is fortitude, there is steadfastness and strength … Faith bestows that sublime courage that rises superior to the troubles and disappointments of life, that acknowledges no defeat except as a step to victory; that is strong to endure, patient to wait, and energetic to struggle … Light up, then, the lamp of faith in your heart … It will lead you safely through the mists of doubt and the black darkness of despair; along the narrow, thorny ways of sickness and sorrow, and over the treacherous places of temptation and uncertainty.”
-James Allen
This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.
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Article By Judy Mosley
Many people, at one point or another, find it difficult to fall asleep. Worries of all sorts tend to be amplified once our heads hit the pillow. A crisis of any kind doesn’t exactly help those who already find sleep a struggle. There is the choice of using medications, but there are also some simple and natural solutions that will help ease your mind into a state of restfulness. I have used all of these suggestions during different stages in my life and I hope they can help you as well. And, on the plus side, they’re free!
Turn off the News
It’s important for people to be informed about what’s going on in the world. However, I don’t think it’s healthy that we know everything. Staying up for the news generally fills our minds with information that is rarely positive and it’s mostly about things that we can do nothing about in that moment. Then we try to go to sleep! Recognize that all this information may not be the best to digest right before bed. And, if you really want to know what’s going on, I can almost guarantee that those same stories will still be airing the next morning. Read More »
God promises to bless those who bless others …
“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
those who help others are helped.”
Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)
Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church
Everyone has been hurt. In mind, body, and spirit we all have felt pain. Our hearts have ached from: death of loved ones, broken promises, accidents, divorce, discrimination, abusive relationships, harmful self-made decisions, non-acceptance in school groups, deceit in the workplace, and illness … unfortunately, the list seems endless. And the pain is endless unless we find healing.
God’s healing power provides the needed breakthrough. Naming the Holy Spirit as Comforter and Counselor was Christ’s defining way for us to claim God’s presence as the way out of our sciatica of the soul.
Embodying the Spirit, Christ enacted the meaning of comfort and counsel through His giving belonging-place for every hurting person. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest” (Matt. 11:28) was Christ’s promise then and now.
Lepers received Christ’s healing touch. Funeral services were interrupted by Christ’s resurrection power. Mary of Magdala was relieved from her oppressive spiritual pain. Luke, the gospel writer, was touched by the healing grace of Jesus Christ and dedicated his life to tell the story of those days when God walked the earth as one of us to accomplish what we could not do for ourselves - provide healing for our souls as we put our trust in Him.
Luke’s record of Jesus’ words after Zacchaeus’ conversion explains - “Today salvation has come to this house … For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)
Christ’s life, death, and resurrection made salvation healing possible for a Jewish tax collector like Zacchaeus, a Greek physician like Luke, and sinners like you and me.
Following the Shepherd with you,
Pastor Les
“Make a gift of your life and lift all mankind by being kind, considerate, forgiving, and compassionate at all times, in all places, and under all conditions, with everyone as well as yourself. This is the greatest gift anyone can give.”
-David R. Hawkins
“We change the world not by what we say or do, but as a consequence of what we have become.”
-David R. Hawkins
This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. Thanks!
God promises to protect you from fear …
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, through its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
