Corona Devo 3070

Blessed is he who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  ~James 1:12

~~~

Let’s face it: we will endure trials as we seek to live and serve Christ.  We wish it wasn’t true…but if we have been serving the Lord long enough…we know that it is. 

Some of our trials are external.  It’s no secret that Christ-followers can receive push-back from the main-stream.  From integrity attacks to (unnecessary) red-tape, to actual physical abuse and imprisonment, and in extreme cases: death…for true followers-of-Chrsit, the cost can be heavy and if we have entered service to the Lord, then we must accept that trials will be something that we will endure.

Blessed is he who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  ~James 1:12

However--some of our trials are entirely internal.  This could mean mental battles that we have with ourselves about being worthy to share God’s truth or shine His light.  But it can also mean having the desire and willpower to get out of bed to do His work.

For example, our before-school Fellowship of Chrisian Students (FCS) high school ministry meets weekly at 6:45 A.M., which means that my kids, the advisors, and the other students leading and attending are waking up around 5:30 A.M.  

I hate to sound blasphemous but 5:30 A.M. is an ungodly hour for most teenagers.  The struggle (trial) is very real on some of those early mornings.

Blessed is he who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  ~James 1:12

But I have to give credit—my kids always get up for their FCS meetings, and so do their (amazing!) teacher-advisors, and between twenty to forty other high school students join them in a classroom that they are (praise the Lord!) outgrowing.  

Attending/advising/leading a Christian group at a public high school at 6:45 A.M. each week?  Yep.  

It's happening despite the known and unspoken trials of many factors, including teenage late nights and early mornings.  And it's happening in God's Name and for His glory.

Of course, waking up should not be considered a major trial (except if you ask a teen).  But (I think) we would be wrong to discount the duty/willpower/obedience/faith (whatever is fueling that teen to rise that morning).  They are making a decision to be there, and God will produce outcomes because of it.

In fact, we were blessed to receive proof of that recently.  I got a note from the mom of a high school student who attends our early morning Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) group each week.  

Her child was getting baptized at church that day, and perhaps her pastor had some influence on that.  Maybe the young woman's youth group had played a part in her decision.  I'm sure her family and parents played a role in this.

But her mom didn't mention any of those factors in her note to me.  
It read:  _____  is being baptized this morning.  FCS works. 

(Her daughter) was being baptized that morning and she attributed that faith decision and outcome to our early morning Christian group (FCS).

To God be all the glory.  

For me and my family right now (and for the past eight years) Fellowship of Christian Students has been a way for us to share God's truth and love with students who might not otherwise know it.  But each and every one of us have an arena of influence that our Intelligent Designer has designated for us.

You have your field to harvest for Christ, and he has his, and she has hers, and I have my field to harvest for Christ.

And it's time. 

Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.  ~John 4:35

Will there be trials to endure as we do it?  Heck yes.  We may face a physical trial today, or it could be mental, emotional, or spiritual.  

But will we endure it?  Will we stand firm against it?
God wants to know today.  Satan wonders too.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (13) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, (15) and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (16) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  ~Ephesians 6:12-16

Keep on today, Friend.  Stand firm for our Lord.

Don't give up and don't sleep in on God's today-assignment for us 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  ~Galatians 6:9

If we can stay focused and looking straight ahead at the end-goal of Heaven, and bringing-as-many-poeple-with-us as possible...then we can stay on track today, and that's all God desires of us today.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. (26) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  ~Proverbs 4:25-26

Early mornings, late nights, trials, and triumphs: serving the Lord is a wild ride.  Some days it's an exhausting one (5:30 A.M.), some days it's an exhilarating one (baptisms!), but every day in service to the Lord is a worthwhile one.

Jesus works!

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com