BREAKFAST #13
Preparing the
meal…
VICTORY IN THE TRIALS OF LIFE
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter
various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. And let endurance have its
perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.
-James 1:2-4
This is always a difficult passage to read, to believe, and
to teach. I have been asked over and over how we can consider
it "all joy" when terrible things happen in our lives. I
know that I can't understand the mind of God, so at times,
it's hard to give adequate answers. However, in looking at
the meaning of joy and perfect, it has helped me grasp the
meaning of this passage a little more clearly.
First of all, the meaning of joy is "a state of well-being
that comes from trusting God completely." It has nothing
to do with our circumstances and everything to do
with our relationship with and trust in God. It seems
that trials and adversity are God's tools for spiritual
growth. If we aren't interested in maturing in Christ, we'll
struggle greatly with our trials and circumstances.
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Trusting God-Mrs. C. Hopson
COME AND DINE…
1. What or who most often robs you of your peace?
2. Write out what your expectations were and what led
you to turn away from having a peaceful heart.
3. Read all of Psalm 56, and write what David understood
about God and the choices he made to trust God.
4. Feast on Psalm 103, and write down all the ways
God showers us with His benefits. (I find it absolutely
overwhelming!)
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
1. What or who most often robs you of your peace?
2. Write out what your expectations were and what led
you to turn away from having a peaceful heart.
3. Read all of Psalm 56, and write what David understood
about God and the choices he made to trust God.
4. Feast on Psalm 103, and write down all the ways
God showers us with His benefits. (I find it absolutely
overwhelming!)
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
Mrs. C. Hopson-Trusting God
TO KNOW DAILY PEACE:
1. Quickly recognize when you are focusing on problems
or people.
2. Confess it and change your thoughts to ones that
honor the Lord.
3. Focus on all you have in Christ, and choose one new
thing to praise God for all day long.
4. Choose, with God's help, to focus on pleasing the
Lord with your words, thoughts, and actions rather
than letting your emotions control you.
Remember that peace comes when our heart comes into
agreement with God's heart…not the opposite!
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PEACE?
What happened to my peace today? I had it yesterday.
Did someone come and steal it and then just run away?
How did I give it up so fast, why did I not hang on?
It seems that oh, so suddenly, I lost my joy and song.
Let's see, what was I thinking, when my peace disappeared?
Oh yes, I now remember, I focused on some fears.
And then I listened to some words that hurt down deep
inside, and suddenly my joy was gone,
oh, what a downward slide!
What must I do to get it back? I so much want to rest
in what my Lord has promised, but I think I failed the test.
Oh yes, that's music to my ears, I know Your Word is true!
You say, "Just turn your heart to Me, for I've forgiven you.
Then focus not on what you hear or think or feel or see.
But on the truths of My own words, for they will set you free."
-Carol Hopson
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
1. Quickly recognize when you are focusing on problems
or people.
2. Confess it and change your thoughts to ones that
honor the Lord.
3. Focus on all you have in Christ, and choose one new
thing to praise God for all day long.
4. Choose, with God's help, to focus on pleasing the
Lord with your words, thoughts, and actions rather
than letting your emotions control you.
Remember that peace comes when our heart comes into
agreement with God's heart…not the opposite!
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PEACE?
What happened to my peace today? I had it yesterday.
Did someone come and steal it and then just run away?
How did I give it up so fast, why did I not hang on?
It seems that oh, so suddenly, I lost my joy and song.
Let's see, what was I thinking, when my peace disappeared?
Oh yes, I now remember, I focused on some fears.
And then I listened to some words that hurt down deep
inside, and suddenly my joy was gone,
oh, what a downward slide!
What must I do to get it back? I so much want to rest
in what my Lord has promised, but I think I failed the test.
Oh yes, that's music to my ears, I know Your Word is true!
You say, "Just turn your heart to Me, for I've forgiven you.
Then focus not on what you hear or think or feel or see.
But on the truths of My own words, for they will set you free."
-Carol Hopson
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble
Oh, how I love his attitude and what he chose to focus on.
I read this over twenty years ago, and I have truly never forgotten
it. In fact, in difficult times, I try to think of four
things, like Matthew Henry, that I can be thankful for, and
it always brings my heart to praise. I'm choosing to "rejoice
by choice!"
3. We focus on people and allow them to rob us of our
peace.
I am so guilty of this one! I have let so many people rob
me of my peace. Sometimes it was my husband or one of my
children. Other times it was a friend or co-worker or someone
in ministry that didn't treat my husband or me in a fair way.
But it was always my choice to give up my joy, be
angry, and lose my peace! David learned this so well when
he said, "This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word
I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I have put
my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
(Psalm 56:9-11). It's interesting and important to note that
he reminds himself in four different ways to put his trust in
God…then he concludes with, "I shall not be afraid. What
can man do to me?" The key is to put your hope and expectations
in God alone!
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
I read this over twenty years ago, and I have truly never forgotten
it. In fact, in difficult times, I try to think of four
things, like Matthew Henry, that I can be thankful for, and
it always brings my heart to praise. I'm choosing to "rejoice
by choice!"
3. We focus on people and allow them to rob us of our
peace.
I am so guilty of this one! I have let so many people rob
me of my peace. Sometimes it was my husband or one of my
children. Other times it was a friend or co-worker or someone
in ministry that didn't treat my husband or me in a fair way.
But it was always my choice to give up my joy, be
angry, and lose my peace! David learned this so well when
he said, "This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word
I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I have put
my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
(Psalm 56:9-11). It's interesting and important to note that
he reminds himself in four different ways to put his trust in
God…then he concludes with, "I shall not be afraid. What
can man do to me?" The key is to put your hope and expectations
in God alone!
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
C Hopson-Trusting God
2. We focus on what we don't have rather than on all we
do have.
I once counseled a woman who had a lovely home and lots
of "things," but she wasn't satisfied. She always wanted
more-a bigger house, fancier car, and more expensive vacations.
She was now brokenhearted because her husband had
left her for another woman. This new woman was thrilled
with the house, car, and lifestyle he provided for her. It was
heart-wrenching to see her pain and know that her attitude
and response to God's Word could have changed everything
and probably would have saved her marriage. God so clearly
says, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being
content with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will
never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
The famous Bible scholar, Matthew Henry, was once
attacked and robbed by thieves. That night, he wrote these
words in his diary: "Let me be thankful first, because I was
never robbed before; second, although they took my money,
they did not take my life; third, because although they took
my all, it was not very much and fourth, because it was I who
was robbed, not I who robbed."
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
do have.
I once counseled a woman who had a lovely home and lots
of "things," but she wasn't satisfied. She always wanted
more-a bigger house, fancier car, and more expensive vacations.
She was now brokenhearted because her husband had
left her for another woman. This new woman was thrilled
with the house, car, and lifestyle he provided for her. It was
heart-wrenching to see her pain and know that her attitude
and response to God's Word could have changed everything
and probably would have saved her marriage. God so clearly
says, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being
content with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will
never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
The famous Bible scholar, Matthew Henry, was once
attacked and robbed by thieves. That night, he wrote these
words in his diary: "Let me be thankful first, because I was
never robbed before; second, although they took my money,
they did not take my life; third, because although they took
my all, it was not very much and fourth, because it was I who
was robbed, not I who robbed."
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
Carol Hopson-Trusting God in times of trouble
BREAKFAST #12
Preparing the
meal…
TOTAL PEACE AVAILABLE!
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as
the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, nor let it be fearful.
-John 14:27
For He Himself is our peace…
-Ephesians 2:14
When God called Jesus our "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah 9:6,
it meant that He would be the ruler or administrator of
peace, both now and in the future. It further means that He
wants to rule in our emotions, thoughts, and actions and
bring peace to our minds at all times. If He is our peace and
if He left His peace with us, why don't we have it? Let me
suggest three reasons why we might lose our peace.
1. We are focusing on our problems rather than on the
power and presence of God in our lives.
When I do this, I'm plagued with sadness, bitterness,
anger, or anxiety. I met someone on a flight who was really
struggling, so I tried to encourage her and gave her some
scriptures to help her. She claimed to be a Christian and was
grateful. About six months later, God brought her to mind,
and I e-mailed her and asked how she was doing. She
answered that she was really going under because of the
political situation, finances, and her work. God was so good
to allow me to send her what I had just been studying from
His Word and how it was continually helping me to stay
focused on God's Word rather than on what was going on
around me (1 Corinthians 2:5; Psalm 112:6-7; 119:165). She
was so thankful to God for seeing her need and sending an email
from many states away that would bring her back to the
truth and to spiritual health. She wrote, "The verses you sent
are now my lifeline to peace! I've stopped focusing on the
problems and keep these words always before me."
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
Preparing the
meal…
TOTAL PEACE AVAILABLE!
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as
the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, nor let it be fearful.
-John 14:27
For He Himself is our peace…
-Ephesians 2:14
When God called Jesus our "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah 9:6,
it meant that He would be the ruler or administrator of
peace, both now and in the future. It further means that He
wants to rule in our emotions, thoughts, and actions and
bring peace to our minds at all times. If He is our peace and
if He left His peace with us, why don't we have it? Let me
suggest three reasons why we might lose our peace.
1. We are focusing on our problems rather than on the
power and presence of God in our lives.
When I do this, I'm plagued with sadness, bitterness,
anger, or anxiety. I met someone on a flight who was really
struggling, so I tried to encourage her and gave her some
scriptures to help her. She claimed to be a Christian and was
grateful. About six months later, God brought her to mind,
and I e-mailed her and asked how she was doing. She
answered that she was really going under because of the
political situation, finances, and her work. God was so good
to allow me to send her what I had just been studying from
His Word and how it was continually helping me to stay
focused on God's Word rather than on what was going on
around me (1 Corinthians 2:5; Psalm 112:6-7; 119:165). She
was so thankful to God for seeing her need and sending an email
from many states away that would bring her back to the
truth and to spiritual health. She wrote, "The verses you sent
are now my lifeline to peace! I've stopped focusing on the
problems and keep these words always before me."
As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.
Monday, November 29, 2010
C Hopson-Trusting God
At age ninety-five, my dad was still focused on "this one
thing" that God had called him to do! Don't "miss the mark"
because you're focused on all the distractions, or on desiring
an easier life, rather than on fulfilling God's purpose for
you. Krispy Krème doughnuts can never compete with a
new birth into God's family!
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as
though God were entreating through us; we beg you
on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
-2 Corinthians 5:20
COME AND DINE…
1. What things tend to distract you from staying
focused on "the goal" God has called you to run toward?
2. Why do you think you are easily led astray by those
things? Are they more enticing than walking with the
Lord?
The Bible contains the vitamins of soul health.
3. Read 1 Peter 1:23-2:3, and write down how Peter
illustrates the importance of God's Word in our daily
lives. (When we are not consistently in God's Word, we
forget what's truly important and get sidetracked more
easily.)
4. Feast on Romans 8:1-25, and write out all the "meat"
God teaches us in this passage.
thing" that God had called him to do! Don't "miss the mark"
because you're focused on all the distractions, or on desiring
an easier life, rather than on fulfilling God's purpose for
you. Krispy Krème doughnuts can never compete with a
new birth into God's family!
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as
though God were entreating through us; we beg you
on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
-2 Corinthians 5:20
COME AND DINE…
1. What things tend to distract you from staying
focused on "the goal" God has called you to run toward?
2. Why do you think you are easily led astray by those
things? Are they more enticing than walking with the
Lord?
The Bible contains the vitamins of soul health.
3. Read 1 Peter 1:23-2:3, and write down how Peter
illustrates the importance of God's Word in our daily
lives. (When we are not consistently in God's Word, we
forget what's truly important and get sidetracked more
easily.)
4. Feast on Romans 8:1-25, and write out all the "meat"
God teaches us in this passage.
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