We all go through struggles. Satan is a master at not just setting us up for struggle but working to make sure we begin to doubt God's love because of our struggle. This is why this series is so important in our lives today - we're in the midst of many struggles satan is using to get us to doubt God's overwhelming love. So we need to remember, there's no other way around it, if it's GOOD it's from GOD.

We often want to blame our struggles on others. We might blame parents, school system, unjust policing, a traumatic experience, we might even blame God for the struggles we face. While each unique situation will affect us, when it comes to falling for Satan's tricks James says there's no one to blame except ourselves. Thankfully, we're not just left to try and live a good or righteous life on our own, as if that were even possible. God reveled not only how we should live but how we can stand up to satan's tricks. When we listen to and then apply God's Word to our lives we discover a firm foundation on which to stand so that we are less likely to fall when Satan tempts us.

When you get off course in your life what do you do? You seek advice, help and direction from others. And that's where the problems begin. There is no end to opinions when it comes to seeking help. You can look at your daily horoscope, ask your best friend or @ your favorite social media influencer. But if you're a follower of Jesus, the ship of your life should always be pointed toward Him. So if you're asking anyone but Him how to get to Him you'll never get where you're going. Letting anyone but God direct your life gets you nothing but a ship of foolishness.

Many of us believe that God should eliminate our struggles and make life easy for us because we follow Him. But that's the opposite of what He wants to do. God wants us to learn to rely on His strength in the midst of our struggles and in turn our strength (fain and trust and ability to rely on God when tempted) grows too!

As Paul wraps up his letter to the church in Philipi he focuses their attention on Jesus. There will always be those who sin and chase the desires of flesh, there will always be arguments over seemingly everything but there is also always a reason to be joyful, you've just got to look for it. Sometimes it will only come with the promise of new life when Jesus returns. Sometimes you'll have to give in for the sake of moving on in Jesus. But you can always find a reason to rejoice in the Lord.

Joy is difficult especially if you're trying to attain it on your own. You can plan for it and pursue it but if you're not practicing the behaviors and attitudes that allow the Spirit free reign in your life you won't experience it like you hope. But by practicing these behaviors in your daily life you'll give the Spirit greater access to your life, mind and heart (and ears👂) so that you can experience joy as a fruit of the Spirit's work in your life to a much greater degree.

Many people think that Joy is a by-product of attaining everything they desire. When you reach your goals, climb the ladder, fill your pockets and have all the toys you naturally experience Joy. But many of those individuals who "have it all" seem to be further from joy than those who have very little. Jesus' life and example shows us that Joy is not a by-product of benefiting self, but a fruit of the spirit that comes from serving others.

Terry Deaver will be bringing the message today from Mark 10:17-31.

Paul has headed out on his 2nd missionary journey and for the first time He's in charge. He had a good plan and his team was ready to follow him only, his plan wasn't God's plan. Multiple times after setting off on their journey they had to stop, regroup, seek God and then RESTART. We've come to a critical point in our nations history where we need to stop, regroup, seek God and then restart ourselves - this time in a direction that honors God.

Jesus disciples had to go through a process like we all do. They began as learners of Jesus (lit disciples), they watched Jesus teach and heal and live and then He invited them to do the same and gave them a bit of authority to see how they'd handle it... not too well. But the more time they spent with Him the more they learned and by the time He went to the Father, after His resurrection, they were ready to fully be Apostles. We go through that same process and it continues through every generation of those who find real life in Jesus and then are called to look like Jesus.