Emerge Stronger Through the Storm

By Josephine Lim

1 Peter 1:
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

John 15:1&2
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Whenever the feeling of defeat, emptiness, loneliness and hopelessness set in do know that it's not the end but the beginning of something better. It's simply a wakeup call - a decision time. It doesn't mean that “it’s game over!” or “you’re finished!”, it just mean you need some re-allignment and adjustment to make way for something greater God has planned for you. It means God loves you too much that He is willing to let you misunderstand Him and be disappointed with Him temporarily than having you suffer later or settling for second best. If we are to correctly discern all that are happening in our lives, we know all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He would not allow anything to jeopardise our position from receiving the best He has in-store.

When you're feeling defeated and lost, do know that those feelings will pass away, it's definitely temporal although it may seem long. You are on the road of awakening. At this moment, we need to refocus and re-evaluate putting on our rational thinking cap and allowing Him to enlighten our heart, soul and mind to see His plan.

"Failure is the mother of all success" according to a famous Chinese proverb. Somehow through losing it triggers new hope and life leading to new exciting discovery. It's not good to hold on to "distraction" and/or past failures anymore, it's time to let go without losing any more precious time which should have been channelled to pursuing God and His best interest for your life.

When you lose the enthusiasm of living, losing hope, losing your peace and joy, it's likely that you have temporarily lost your focus, direction and purpose in life. Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

When you allow His plan and purpose for your life ingrained deep inside of you, you'll find renewed hope to live again. You'll find new joy, excitement and revelation of the purpose of your whole existence. 1 John 5:14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

If you want to see God's promises become a reality in your life, look to Him, seek him and establish your life firmly in Him through His word. When you find Him, you'll find LIFE hence found true fulfilment of life - a life that is powerful, influential, full of light, grace, peace, joy and love - the life of the Spirit. Romans 14: 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 17 For the kingdom of God is... of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Don't be consumed by the storm of life instead let us choose to rise up and soar above the storm being conscious Who is He that dwells in us strengthening and enabling us to do all things through Him. Don't give up now, press on as it's worth it all when you realise what await you if you don't give up!

Meaningful songs to share with you from the newly released Hillsong Album 2012 "Cornerstone". Complementing this message are songs:
No. 2 Beneath The Waters (I will Rise)
No. 3/ No. 16 Cornerstone
No. 4 I Surrender and
No. 8 Running
Click the link below to listen:
http://thechurchtools.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/hillsong-live-cornerstone-2012-new.html

Which Step Have You Reached Today?

This passage of scripture has been lingering in my heart and thought of sharing with all of you: 1 Peter 4:7-11 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.