strength | Enough Tribulations Peace & Deliverance Ministries

Tag Archive: strength

When Enough Is Really Enough

April 11, 2015

When trials and tribulations are too much to bear, you might wonder when enough is really enough. However, every tribulation you encounter has to run its course. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:And hope makes us not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5:3-5).

There are various tribulations that you will encounter in this world, but every tribulation will make you stronger. You have to thank God in all circumstances, as you don’t know what He’s working out through them. So instead of moping over your broken heart, thank God that your heart has been broken. Had it not been broken, how would you learn to be strong?

How can you learn how to stand, if you have never fallen? That’s where trust and faith comes in. Through any situation that you encounter, there’s a purpose. As a result, you must remember that God will work through it for your good (Romans 8:28). I am sure so many times, you have proven this to be true. It’s always great to have everything good in life, without having to go through any bad times, but this world is far from perfect. God did not promise you days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sunshine without rain. All in all, He did promised strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Tags: comfort, deliverance, God, joy, laughter, love, pain, peace, prayer, sorrow, strength, tears, trials and tribulations, world

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The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power

Filed under: Inspirational — 4 Comments

April 3, 2015

Tags: blessing, blood, cross, Crucifixion, deliverance, forgiveness, Healing, Jesus, love, Miracle, power, prosperity, strength

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We want God to change our circumstances, but God wants to use our circumstances to change us.

Filed under: Inspirational — 8 Comments

January 11, 2015

It can be easy to think that God is obligated to make life easy for us and to remove all of our difficult circumstances. But, the truth is that during hard times God is preparing us for greater things. If He removed the difficult circumstances in our lives, we would probably never mature.

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” In other words, rejoice in “trials of many kinds”, because they test your faith, which causes you to grow closer to God. Indeed, God assures us that something beneficial can come from the hard times in life.

If you are going through trials now, take hope in the fact that almost everyone in the Bible who did great things for God also had to endure great hardships. For example, in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Paul recounts many of the difficult circumstances that he had gone through: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”

Clearly, Paul had suffered greatly for the Gospel. However, God used those circumstances to make Paul more mature and to give him a great love for God and for spreading God’s Word. Now, Paul is widely considered the second most important person in the New Testament—behind Jesus, of course. However, we must remember that Paul had to go through many difficult trials. It was those times of testing that caused Paul to grow closer to God, qualifying him to be a great witness for Christ.

This same principle can be seen in almost every other person in the Bible who did great things for God. It was during times of testing that such people developed the strength and character for which we respect them.

Therefore, don’t always beg God to change your circumstances. Instead, view each as an opportunity for God to change you, making you “mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Contributed: Christ Notes

Tags: Bible, character, Christ, difficulty, God, important, Jesus, joy, New Testament, Paul, rejoice, strength, suffer, trials, tribulations

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Faith Is The Ability To See God In The Dark

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

January 4, 2015

Have you ever felt that God isn’t with you? That when life became tough and darkened God abandoned you? Such a feeling is common to many Christians. However, you must not rely on feelings; instead, you must rely on faith, knowing that God is always there—you just may not always be able to see him in your circumstances. That’s why faith is so important.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. For example, if a family member dies, you may understandably question whether or not God could possibly be with you during such difficult times. However, by faith, you can be certain of what [you] do not see—certain that God was there watching over the whole situation.

Romans 4:19-21 describes how Abraham had faith even though it looked like God could never do what he said he would: Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

In his dark circumstances, Abraham could still see God—he had faith. That’s the same type of faith to which God is calling you.

Contributed: Christ Notes

Tags: blessings, committed, deliverance, faith, God, happiness, Healing, Jesus, joy, peace, prayer, strength, trust

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It’s In the Valleys I Grow

Filed under: Inspirational — 3 Comments

December 13, 2014

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I Picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That’s it’s in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

By Jane Eggleston

P.S. Just a reminder, that the God on the mountain tops is the same God in the valleys. Hope you enjoy this poem.

Tags: Christ, Christianity, cross, God, Jesus, love, peace, Satan, strength, trials and tribulations, Valleys

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Finding Peace In His Promise

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

November 30, 2014

If you are troubled in your heart, because you do not see a way out of your current situation, you have got to trust God. He will not leave you stranded. Nothing that you have been through will be in vain. You need to find peace in His promise and stop worrying about the problem. There is a breakthrough in the making, but you need to press through the pain to see His purpose.

Tags: Christ, deliverance, glory, God's purpose, Jesus, peace, power, Praise, prayer, problems, strength, trials, tribulations, troubles, victory

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If God took you to it, He’ll get you through it

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November 15, 2014

Exodus 14 records the story of how the Hebrews escaped from bondage and slavery in Egypt. On their way out of Egypt, they camped in the desert near the Red Sea. They thought God was leading them out of Egypt. However, Pharaoh led the Egyptian army to where the Israelites were, and he trapped them against the sea. The Israelites must have felt betrayed by God, for it looked as though he didn’t follow through on his plan to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. But God was faithful to his word — he didn’t let his people down. He led them through the Red Sea and delivered on his promises.

You have probably faced times when you thought that you could never do something, never complete a particular task, or never make it to the finish. However, if God has promised you something, then you can be confident that God will get you through the difficult times in order to bring about his promise.

This is true in Joseph’s life. God took him through years of pain and suffering for an ultimate benefit; Joseph realizes this and, in Genesis 50:20, says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God had a bigger plan for Joseph’s life, and God didn’t let him down. God led Joseph through his struggles.

This principle is also true in your life. Even though you may be going through extremely painful times, do not fear for God will get you through the hard times you face (see Psalm 23:4). If God took you to it, He’ll get you through it.

Contributed: Christ Notes

Tags: deliverance, depression, doubt, faith, fear, God, peace, prayer, problems, strength, testimony, trials, tribulations, trust, victory

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Don’t run from your trials

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

October 25, 2014

Everyone faces many trials; however, these trials are not in vain. God uses them to do a work in us, developing us into mature Christians.

In James 1:2-4, we are told, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. In other words, God uses the tough times in life to sharpen us, making us mature and complete Christians.

Furthermore, God will not permit you to remain in the same trials all of your life; in His proper timing He will deliver you. Psalm 34:17 says, The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

So don’t run from your trials, because the testing of your faith develops you into a mature and complete Christian.

Contributed: Christ Notes

Tags: Christ, Christian, deliverance, faith, God, joy, Lord, motivation, peace, perseverance, righteous, strength, trials and tribulations

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When Ministry Knocks You Down

Filed under: Inspirational — 7 Comments

October 16, 2014

If you’re a pastor, a missionary, or serve in a church, you can’t avoid discouragement, disappointment, or hurt from ministry. The bible even uses the not-so-complimentary metaphor “sheep” to describe those we serve. And sheep get dirty and smelly and often kick and bite.

Sometimes those sheep in the church do the same to their shepherds.

So when you get kicked, forgotten, disrespected, ignored, mistreated, gossiped about, or misunderstood, how do you move forward?

The story recorded in 1 Samuel 30 gives great insight. David had just begun his career to fight the bad guys. Early on he faced a huge defeat. While he and his army were in battle far from home, the bad guys, the Amalekites, attacked the city where his family and the families of his army lived. They burned the city and kidnapped their wives and children. When David’s men discovered this, they considered removing him from his position, not by a vote of a board or a congregation, but with big rocks to the head by stoning.

The Scriptures then record one of the most beautiful verses ever written. The King James Version captures it well:

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. (1 Sam. 30:6)

It worked because his guys didn’t stone him but marshaled their energy and once again pursued the bad guys under his leadership.

As I’ve faced discouragement in ministry, these simple choices have helped me encourage myself in the Lord.

Acknowledge your pain and emotion to the Lord, but don’t wallow in it.
Journal your thoughts. Writing them down helps me stop the tendency to incessantly mull over the hurtful situation.
Read God’s word, especially those verses that speak of hope and victory.
Do something pro-active. Take action to move forward. In David’s case he took specific action to resolve the problem. He rallied his troops to chase down the Amalekites.
Stop condemning yourself and remind yourself that you are a child of God, loved by Him with great intrinsic value regardless of whether your church is growing or whether people treat you with respect.
Pray for those who have hurt you. I’m amazed how God diffuses looming bitterness in my heart when I pray for the sheep that bite me.

If you get knocked down, sincerely seek the Lord and rise up in His strength to begin anew.

Contributed: The Ministry Advantage: A Weekly Mentoring Newsletter for Church Leaders.

Tags: church, deliverance, destroy, encouragement, faith, glory, grace and mercy, hope, Ministry, Pastor, peace, strength, victory

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You’re Forgiven!

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

September 13, 2014

Whatever situation the enemy is using in your past to haunt you and cause you to feel guilty, you’re forgiven!

You have got to stop beating up on yourself in believing the enemy’s trick of condemnation. The blood that washes whiter than snow is able to cleanse any sins and renew you to a perfect standing with God.

If you have prayed and asked God forgiveness, He has forgiven you! Although others might not have forgiven you, He has. LET IT GO!

The two thieves who were crucified with Jesus asked Him to remember them when He goes to His father’s Kingdom. In response, Jesus said, “Today you shall be with me in paradise (Matthew 23:43).

With that said, you have already been forgiven. It’s immediate! Therefore, be renewed. Forget those things which are behind, and reach forth for the things which are in front. It’s time to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).