Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, 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

This beatitude comes from Jesus' brother. He had experienced it and not just taught it! James knew it was worth "hanging in" and "hanging on" when his faith was under attack. He affirmed that God loves us and that he has made incredible promises about what lies ahead for us. He knew that eventually our period of testing would be transformed into a time of great blessing. James wants us to know that God longs to bless us with life! After all, that's why he sent Jesus. (cf. John 10:10)

Dear LORD and Father, thank you for all those times that you strengthened me when I was under attack and sustained me when I was weary and ready to quit. Write "perseverance" deep within my soul and give me a spirit of tenacity so that I might serve you no matter what the outward circumstances of my life may be. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Source : www.heartlight.org

A number of years ago, there was a woman in Kansas City who walked into a Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop. While she was waiting in line, she turned around to find actor Paul Newman standing behind her. He was in town filming the movie Mr. & Mrs. Bridge, and he didn’t realize it, but he was standing behind one of his biggest fans.

As jy sat is daarvan om soos 'n slagoffer te voel, lees die volgende: 'Ek wil nie meer so voel nie. Ek het gedink ek sou beter voel as my seer hulle lewens raak. Ek het nie. Ek het gedink ek sou beter voel deur hulle gedurig daaraan te herinner. Ek het nie. Ek het gedink om aan almal te sê wat hulle aan my gedoen het, my beter sou laat voel. Dit het nie; ek het vriende verloor en my seer brandend gehou. Ek het gedink as hulle net sou erken hoe verkeerd hulle was, ek beter sou voel.

Shades of Tanning

Before going on vacation, I went to a tanning salon. I was under the lights so long that the protective shades I wore left a big white circle around each eye.

Gazing at myself in the mirror the next day, I thought, "Man, I look like a clown."

And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Mark 1:11

Shortly after Jesus' baptism, he went to face Satan in a grueling 40 days of temptation. Remember what Satan's opening words were? "If you are the Son of God..." Wasn't it great that God had already reassured him of his relationship before it was questioned? What do those you love need to hear from you today? You don't know when their time of trial will come; you just know it will, so go ahead and reassure them before it's necessary!

Almighty and loving Father, please help me to say the right words of love and affection to those whom I love so that when temptation comes, or when others try to draw them away from me, they will not doubt my love for them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Source : http://www.heartlight.org