Life’s a bowl of cherries, and I get all the pits?!?

Acts 14:20-22 (New International Version, ©2011) from www.biblegateway.com

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

By Lynn Anderson, “Never promised you a rose garden:”

I beg your pardon,

I never promised you a rose garden.

Along with the sunshine,

There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.

When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live,

Or let go.

I beg your pardon,

I never promised you a rose garden.

Jesus knew this firsthand – He was sent here to be the perfect sacrificial lamb for our sins.  And there was one time that fear almost overwhelmed him:

Luke 22:42-44 (New International Version, ©2011) from www.biblegateway.com

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Literally sweating blood, that is a very powerful fear. 

From the Crabb Family, “Through the Fire:”

so many times I've questioned certain circumstances

Or things I could not understand

Many times in trials weakness blurs my vision

And my frustration gets so out of hand

Its then I am reminded I've never been forsaken

I've never had to stand the test alone

As I look at all the victories

The spirit rises up in me

And its through the fire my weakness is made strong

Chorus:

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy

And the hill would not be hard to climb

He never offered our victories without fighting

But he said help would always come in time

Just remember when your standing in the valley of decision

And the adversary says give in

Just hold on our lord will show up

And he will take you through the fire again

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (New International Version, ©2011) www.biblegateway.com

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Imagine that – in our weakness, we can show His strength and grace.  And how do we do this?  Simply by giving it all to Him and continuing on our way in the manner that we should!  These verses are subtitled in some bibles as:  Paul had his own strength taken away so that he would draw on the strength of the living God.

And from Mercy Me, “Bring the Rain:”

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

I get afraid, I don’t like it when things seem to be going exactly opposite of what I want, but someone understood this so much better than me.  Jesus knew.  And so, I know in believing in Him, I will live with Him and all those that I love that also believed.  And so, I can take a little rain, and go play in the mud puddles!

And from Stephen Curtis Chapman, “Bring it On:”

I didn’t come lookin’ for trouble

And I don’t want to fight needlessly

But I’m not gonna hide in a bubble

If trouble comes for me

I can feel my heart beating faster

I can tell something’s coming down

But if it’s gonna make me grow stronger then…

Bring it on

Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow

Bring it on

Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong

Bring it on

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy

And maybe I need to explain some things

‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting

Who wants to bring me pain

But what he never seems to remember

What he means for evil God works for good

So I will not retreat or surrender

Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero

‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in

But I’m not gonna run from the very things

That would drive me closer to Him

So bring it on

I don’t ask for trouble, I try so hard to avoid conflict, especially as I get older as my nerves just can’t handle the friction and stress.  But, if Satan comes looking for me, to test me, to try and break my faith, trust, belief and love in my Lord, then “Bring It On!”

The music really spoke this time!

Rich Mullins, "I'll Carry On Lyrics:"

But I'll carry the songs I learned when we were kids

I'll carry the scars of generations gone by

I'll pray for you always, and I promise you this

I'll carry on ~ I'll carry on

Listen to:

Rich Mullins, "Ready For The Storm Lyrics :"

That the lighthouse will keep shining out

Rich Mullins, "Elijah:"

But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah

With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire

And when I look back on the stars

Well, It'll be like a candlelight in Central Park

And it won't break my heart to say goodbye

“Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, “Oh no, she’s awake.” “–unknown

Oh yeah!