Got some problems bugging you?

You can overcome. 

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Trials and testings yeah. 

Troubles and some problems of the first world. How can we deal with them? 

"My parents just told me they're going to change their dog's name from Lexis to Oreo because every time they try calling her it activates their Alexa." – Ed

"I buy too many gadgets and my router can't handle all of them." – Rocky

“My inside security cams don’t pick up movements outside the window, and my wifi doesn’t strongly reach one of my outside wireless cams. Wifi not reaching far enough seems to be a prob for many Westerners. Shouldn’t it be free and city wide, or nation wide -- come on, it’s almost 2022! ” ~ Kurt v.S.

"I brought a Choco Taco to a meeting yesterday and it melted before I could eat it." – Gabbie

"Someone needs to please stop putting cookies in my path!" – Kirsten

"The good news: megabus wifi worked at broadband speeds today! (For 5 seconds) The bad news: none of the outlets work.” – Ricky

"Blank, they just handed me a free donut with my latte. I am powerless to resist." – Marc

"Am looking forward to eating an entire bag of movie popcorn tonight.. looking less forward to the 3-d glasses." – Lindsey

"Loads of first world problems this morning...." – Mysha

"First World Problem, Its snowed outside.... so now I have to work from home tomorrow.” – Njagu

Historian Daniel Bursen talks about how the expectations of many Americans in the first world have now just gone wild. We expect anything and everything. We expect the contradictory and the impossible. We expect compact cars which are very spacious, luxurious cars which are really economical. We expect to be rich and charitable, powerful and merciful, active and reflective, kind and competitive. We expect to eat and stay thin, to be constantly on the move and ever more neighborly. To go to a church of our choice and yet feel it’s guiding force over us, to revere God and yet to be our God. Never have people been more the masters of their environment, and yet never has a people felt more deceived and disappointed. Never has a people expected so much that their world could not offer.

Remember this you who live in the first second or third world or wherever.. The happiest (born from above) Christians in this world are the evangelistic ones, and the most unhappy are the uptight nitpicky and or religious type.

So here's a 10 step fishing plan unto happiness (that combats all carnality and non-clinical depression)...

1. Find somebody who has greater needs than you and do something practical and edifying for them. Do it in the name of the Lord for His glory. #prayerfully #tactfully #respectfully

And numbers two through nine: repeat step one.. nine times.

The happiest people on earth are the worshipping Christians walking in spiritual victory, rather than in defeat and or religiousity.

Vance Havner said that if we are too busy using our sickles on each other we will miss the Harvest. www.fish4souls.org

Ever been feelin’ angry at God, and askin’ Him why there is so much evil in this world.... in this world gone sideways? Have you suffered loss? I’ve been there before.

 Q: Had some really bad things happen to ya? So sorry. Hate that!

Got a pile of bitter anxiety and pain, or more like a mountain of it to climb over?  Need some solid truths to help combat or deal with these feelings of anger?  We each can choose to live ticked-off-free.  There is power and comfort in the Scriptures. 

"For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:20 

Have you been lookin’ forward to something really cool, and then BAM!.. you find out last minute that it ain’t gunna happen.. like ever. It was gunna, and now it isn’t going to happen. 

And then perhaps.. you started to pick yourself back up again.. and started looking forward to doing something else instead..... but then that too collapsed ..ain’t gunna happen now. Do you feel like He ditched you and is a million miles away... like you're non-blessable, unloveable, like He wants to hammer or ignore you, or just look the other way... like He's completely indifferent to you and your needs? 

Originally posted by raised-from-the-grave

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relieve. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:1-3

“O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, ‘God will never rescue him!’ But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:1-6

“How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions! Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people.” Psalm 35:17-18

“’O God my rock,’ I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?’ Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, ‘Where is this God of yours?’ Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:9-11

Why be angry at people made in God's image--you know, at saints or sinners?
Choose to live free from ticked-off at people. You can do it, there's a Way. One Way -- it's through Jesus.
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." Ephesians 4:31
"As churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife." Proverbs 30:33 
God says that death and life are in the tongue. Do you have trouble controlling what you say, or how you say it? If someone listened to how you talk, would they say you sound frustrated, angry, or joyous, upbeat and loving? 

God can help us. "We can't say we love God if we don't love one another; for love is God.." 1 John 4:7-8

Listen, because you and I are not perfect like Jesus is, we might feel and be unrighteously angry at times. Hey, it's okay to be angry at the evil around us -- that's only right (Christ expressed that at times--remember the religious leaders gouging folks in the place of worship?), but it is important for us not to let anger lead us into sin. We can do that by confronting our unrighteous anger rather than letting it fester. What do you do? How do you say no to your fleshly nature and attempt to stop being angry? 

I had a cool younger sister named Kathy, but she got murdered decades ago in her home with a very small son there who saw it all happen.  

Then he with a broken heart of sorrow died in his twenties..on his birthday.  Still don’t know who did it, but God does and He will deal with them.  I can’t describe how if felt speaking at her funeral, and seein’ my parents get crushed by that. 

God didn’t do that, He’s never done people or angels wrong. He won't turn you away or abandon you. 

Remember Job in the Bible. He kept worshiping the Lord...after a whole lot of pain and loss happened. Ya might want to prayerfully meditate upon his conversations and book again. Go read chapter 3. 

“Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter? They long for death, and it won’t come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.” Job 3:20-21

“Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties? I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water. What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.” Job 3:23-26

Listen, I know it hurts, but I also know God is good and has a good plan in this stuff. I know He cares for you -- loves you gobs. I trust Him today. I believe that His plan is bigger, smarter, and better than my tiny plan. And I trust that He has a purpose in all this -- a good reason for what He’s allowed to happen. He did for Job. Go check out the end of his story. Give God something more to work with--give Him yourself okay. 

The Bible says, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” Psalms 37:8

“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” Proverbs 14:29

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11

“Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9

God can handle your brutal honesty to Him. All of it.  

So wants to hear from you.. straight from your heart. 

Doesn't need some religiously stiff prayers, so non-personal and formal. 

Wants you!  Yup, near, made whole.  
Likes gettin' real kinda prayin' over merely "saying your prayers." 

Sure. He totally gets it.. understands how you feel right now. Can heal and restore you. 

Would you pray something like this...

God, Oh Lord, here on this sin-cursed planet please help me get through this junk. Have I been presumptuous at all? I have felt so angry at you, I have tons of questions even, but You didn’t do me or my loved ones any wrong. It kind of seemed like You did, or at least like You could have prevented things. Comfort me and my friends. I am ready to be all done with the anger. Please forgive me, come be Lord in me, heal and help me start a new with your strong grace in Jesus’ Name. Even if I don’t understand it until later on. Amen.  Facebook.com/shareJesus

"But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Colossians 3:8 #LoveIsPatient

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

What's most on the heart, will be most on the lips. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26 #AtTheEvil 

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9 

Pain, who has time for it? Suffering, testings and trials, who has patience for any of that?

Are you hurtin’ today?

Sorry ‘bout that. Hate that! I do, need some prayer (msg me and I will for you)? Listen, we don’t seek for it, we don’t want to cause it, we never really want it for ourselves, but in Christ when He allows it into our lives “...suffering can actually lead to greater witness, to a greater ministry and to a greater glory.”

“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5

Suffering doesn't make people change, but it sometimes makes it easier for people to change. Most people who come to and get right with God through Christ.. do so during hard things, during times of pain, during periods of testing that we don’t like. 

It’s weird-religious when individuals or groups seek to glorify God by intentionally causing their bodies..themselves suffering. Today for control, many sadly without even the strange religious reasons.. willfully slice and cause themselves suffering. Stop it, repent and let’s grow up in Christ. 

Saints and sinners do suffer here. Duh. Why should sinners suffer and saved sinners not suffer here? Christians suffer differently, and God uses this to point others to the One who can easily comfort people. Yup, to the Lord and He sometimes allows the suffering now. 

If you are seeking to do what’s right and even elevate others from their pain and problems here, then you will suffer during this life. Not in the next.. later away in heaven or in the millennium back here on earth. 

With other sinners and being myself a sinner, it’s gunna happen. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

Let Jesus show you today what to do when suffering. Let Him comfort and lead you. Come to Him as you are, and get real with Him about it all. Hey, now is good.  

“Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.” Isaiah 53:4. Read more in context.

Originally posted by stimulatedman

“ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:10 Facebook.com/shareJesus

It affects me and my emotions indirectly.. the injustice and inequities at my friend’s workplace.

Life, school teachers, people in society, everyday circumstances, and bosses in the workplace ain't always fair. Adam's fall impacted us all in a bad way. I hate it when I see a middle manager or employer miss it by a mile to one of their employee's hurt… when the real dishonest wrongdoers in the same department get away with their repeated breaking of protocol that keeps costing the company tens of thousands of dollars.

So frustrating when the boss won't listen to reason. Perhaps they have a hidden kickback or love-interest with that wrong-doer. I don't know, but just saw this happen again today in a dear friend's life (a Christian) and in their office.

Man, it was such a no-brainer when you look at the facts.

I prayed for them all earlier, but now I feel really bad for my harassed friend who hates working there and has started a new job-hurt . I expressed to my friend how sorry I felt for all the junk like that that happens too often down here. It just makes me feel sick inside and kinda ticked that their HR office would listen to such a twister of the truth, such a wrongdoer along with his dim middle manager. Liars get hell, but soon believers will be in heaven. Justice will eventually prevail.  

Hey, I think we've all seen this type of stuff with loved ones or personally before.

Doesn't it inspire and motivate you to wanna go tell your friends about the Cross and Christ's paid-for-offer that will soon literally free us from this jive completely ..for all eternity? It does me.

But for the grace of God go I. I'm still far from perfect, but sin and sinners sinning really bug me at times ..especially when it's a so called pastor hurting people under him. I feel something ought to be said. Something ought to be done.. to protect those getting mowed down. So, at times I've spoken up and it has cost my family before. It's cost others a lot too. 

My sin and other's sin just really hurts at times. 

I don't sin as much or like I used to because of God's sanctifying work on the inside. 

But sin stinks.. but all true believers will one day soon be completely delivered from the presence of, the penalty of, and the power of all sins. 

I feel like a debtor who has a debt to pay. And for the born again Christians living here is the closest we will ever get to experience the grief and pain of hell. We only experience a little bit compared to what many will have. But for the nominal believer or unrepentant Atheist this life here is the closest they will ever get to experiencing heaven.

I'm not sure about what inequities, or level of injury of whatever sort, or reversals, or injustice, or painful loss that you've personally experienced, but the Bible says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all."  2 Cor. 4:17

Think it not uber-bazaar regarding those fiery trials that are there to try your heart and walk. Yes, we are admonished not to be surprised by em. Why? Well, cuz it is so So SOOO easy to think they're uber-strange, "not for me," and just be caught off guard by em. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.." 1 Peter 4:12

Now I'm checkin' out these words, "After they had preached the Gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.'" Acts 14:21-22

Lord God, I wish I had some words and more understanding. Is there a way that I could protect people from hurt and mistreatment better? Please help me comfort, minister to, and encourage my friend who feels very discouraged right now due to another's lies in the workplace. 

This present life of hassles is infinitely shorter than the blink (yes, 1/6^th of a nano second) of an eye when the Rapture happens. This life is so brief compared to eternity. All that happens here ..the good, the bad and the ugly.. is not much at all compared with the eternal sublime beauty, comfort, purpose, and joy that we believers will soon experience in our Father's house.

I want to keep praying though I don't feel like it at times and direct my mind to linger on heaven for a while each day, and then give thanks to the One who made it possible-by the great injustice of dying on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

Father God, I forgive that dweeb and his boss who hurt and harassed my friend - please open eyes and send more grace. Please convict, expose, grant repentance to, and save them so they really don't have to go to where liars and deceptive cheats go. And I praise You for sending Jesus who took it for me all over 'til dead. My own sins helped put him up there at Calvary. Hate that - wanna hate sin, Satan and selfish works of the flesh all the more. I praise You Jesus for enduring that cruel humiliation, all that injustice, the severe pain, and the unspeakable agony of the crucifixion ..just to win an eternity of light and blessing and comfort and hope for me and my friends. Thanks Lord for forgiveness. facebook.com/shareJesus

Believer, if you experience Acts 1:8 you can expect to have Acts 8:1, but go on together close with Christ anyway.

Many pastors, leaders, and preachers don't really wanna tell you this. 

Be encouraged. God by His grace has made it so.. that the ability to endure trials and persecution is actually produced by em.  

Persecution arose against the church...

Facing some literal or metaphorical storms of life? Are your unsaved friends facing em.. who don't yet know where to turn?

[Jesus] said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” —Mark 4:39

No waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of the ocean, and earth, and skies. —Baker

Man, what power the Lord of creation has - even the waves obey Him (Col. 1:15-17). And guess what.. Christ still has both the right and the authority to instruct the wind and the waves we see. So interesting how this miracle caused His disciples to greatly fear instead of just trust Him more (v. 40). Why not trust Jesus and overcome your fears by feeding your faith in Him?

The new normal in our really bad economy, as well as with all the home-grown terrorism (i.e., a lady was beheaded in Oklahoma City yesterday) and distant terrorism that news commentators say is headed here ..has caused many of our friends to become very afraid. Jesus can calm the storms and protect us / them. Perhaps you have some scared friends that need your prayers, reassurance, and help today? facebook.com/shareJesus  Perhaps you use.. instagram.com/kurtwvs

Ouch.. a Free Trial? You Can Have it!

Big triumphs are born out of big troubles. 

God can do a whole lot, when you can't. Are you suffering some? Got some troubles or questions? Please put aside all unbelief and pray harder like you mean it. I mean, straining won't really help, but faith in the Bible God will. So get a hold of Jesus thee Solution today.

Are you going through some trials today? "Huh, trials? What are you even talking about?" Well, the lost have troubles that work against them, but true believers have trials that work for them as they cling to the Savior. The Bible tells believers in trials this: "Count it all joy.." (Jam. 1:2-4)! Can you believe that? Does it sound kinda weird? That's a very interesting admonition huh. How can God even put the word "joy" in the same context as trials? One day He'll wipe away all tears from our eyes, and I believe that means He literally will wipe em off our cheeks, but also give us His perspective. We will soon understand.  

Are you going through some severe testings and tribulation right now? Man, I hate how that feels don't you? So sorry about that.. if you are in that junk. It'll eventually be good if you don't quit, believer. I know a lot of people tell you that sorta thing, but it's still true. God has a plan to get you through it. Stay in the Word. Immerse yourself in Him.   

Know that God deeply cares, hasn't forgotten about you for one minute, and He also has a purpose in it. Are there some strong mature Christians near you that can give you some biblical counsel?

God might be preparing and training you today for what He will do in your life in the future. "Great Kurt! Just what I need to hear now. Yeah, what about right now?"

Well, you can still shine bright as you are open and honest about this stuff.. first with God and then with a few others. The Lord can comfort and encourage you in the here and now. I probably wouldn't share it with everyone, but it's wise to share this stuff with some.

There is no need to be embarrassed by the circumstances, or to hide it from trusted growing Christian friends who know how to intercede for people (who also have trials that they endure through..) or to hide it from your lost loved ones who might be able to do something real practical to help out. Relationships can be built for life during this type of stuff. Besides, You remember how God used unclean birds to feed and sustain Elijah. He was hungry and God was His Answer. God is your provider as well and will do providing for you however He pleases. So fix your gaze upon Jesus.

God might even answer your prayers and use you more in the middle of it all, as you are weak and He is strong. Sometimes He is waiting for us bullheaded or dull or carnal Christians to get out of His way, so that He can move and get some stuff done. Do you need to confess sins, and turn away from em?

Listen, you can indeed be full of joy in the here and now, not just after things settle down some.. as you are continually fellowshipping with and obeying Jesus Christ. He suffered a whole lot and knows what that's all about. He fully understands and is there for ya!

Here is the bottom line: Everyone is either progressing or regressing spiritually. Do the former and not the later, even if you experience trials. Are you currently advancing or retreating from God and His direct will for you? As a Christian, I am either growing or beginning to draw back ..and God really takes no pleasure in those who draw back. Remember how the wandering Jews in the wilderness wanted to go back to Egypt for some more onion breath? Bad idea! I am either gaining ground spiritually or losing ground spiritually. I choose to gain by God's grace and you can too! So what are you doing now? During times of fiery trial or outright persecution or acute pain, this can be a time of growth and victory where God is actually glorified. Let Him give you keen insight and mature you so you can help others in trials. Of course Satan is trying to work against you and me with his lies and deception (no need to fret about that or have extended conversations with such a dweeb..), as God is working for you and me ..and guess who decides what direction you and I will go in? Yup, you and I will choose - for we each must decide daily. It's the same with every believer. We decide by faith to enter then Kingdom and we decide to continue on with Christ when the storm clouds form. The Word says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (Jam. 4:7-8). Its' your move! 

"The troubles that we face each day reveal how much we need the Lord; they test our faith and strength of will and help us then to trust God's Word." ~ D. De Haan

"Trouble, meet it as a friend, for you'll see a lot of it and you had better be on speaking terms with it." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

James said, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (See chapter 1:2-4). Perfected, completed, and with no lack—isn't that what you want? Those who seek the Lord simply won't lack any good thing (Ps. 34:10). ~ F4S