The Joy of Perseverance

As posted by Pastor Steve Alessi on 8 - Aug.   http://alessisangle.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-joy-of-perserverance.html

My first introduction to Cuba was walking out of the Jose Marti Airport and seeing an older lady in the crowd of people waiting outside of arrivals, holding a young man tight in her arms as she wept and would not let him go. I wondered how long it had been since she last saw her loved one and how many years did she pray for this reunion?

Do you remember the first time someone told you to be happy when things go wrong? We probably hear it more often than we take note of and in different ways such as “don’t’ worry, be happy” or “think positive”. Over the years, I've tried to keep that kind of bright outlook about life.  I could call it the fighter in me, yet I know it’s the faith in me that makes me a fighter.  Every day I DECIDE to stand by the truth in the Word of God regardless of my situation or feelings. 

  

Yes, that’s easier said than done; especially when you read verses such as this in the Bible; “consider it pure joy whenever we face trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).  Whaaat!?  I'm having a hard enough time with the trials coming and having to persevere through them, but how could God test me? Especially when He knows what a test does to me! I’m sorry, but God would not put me through that kind of torture. He knows I get super nervous when I have to take a test. He knows that my heart races crazy fast, to the point that it feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest, causing my face to heat up and grow red blotches around my neck. No, I can’t believe God would be the one to give me a test. I just can’t wrap my human mind around that one, and that's why these verses really disturb me. I prefer to believe my trials come from the enemy. But, because I am certain that  God loves me and has a plan for my life, in obedience, I have set out to consider my test“pure joy” even if I am having to preserve longer than I ever thought I would. I'm confident He will see me through to victory so I can pass the test, because I believe what is written in Scripture.

These words in James came back to my mind while I was ministering in Cuba. The Cuban people have learned to persevere and the ones we were able to minister to choose to do so with pure joy. I thought the 7 years of trying to have a baby with my husband has been a long, long time, until I met a farmer whose Christian wife has been asking him to go to church with her and their children for about 10 years. That is a long time to love and serve God without her spouse. This wife has been praying for his salvation for years and probably never expected some Americans to end up on their farm in December 2010 to share God’s love with him. This past week, Metro Life returned to visit the same farmer with a brand new Bible for him and his persevering wife. I was so blessed to see God’s hand at work, as her long prayed petition was being answered through us, and she probably never imagined God sending an Italian Pastor with his mob from Miami to do so. Nevertheless, she’s lived out James 1:2-3 because she had not given up hope. Her prayers, love and actions have been preparing Osvaldo’s heart for our second visit and for his glorious surrender to our loving Savior.

A decade is a long time, but think about the pain of the woman with the issue of blood– she suffered with that for twelve years. Yet, she did not give up faith. She prepared to turn her faith into action when she decided to go into the crowd. She gave it another try and pushed through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak.  After twelve years of trial, she heard the Lord say “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”

 

We may not know when or how God will answer our long prayed petition. Cuban families are still waiting to be reunited, they are still waiting to be free. We each have lifted the desires of our hearts to our able God and we will pray without ceasing as He says in His Word. But don’t for a second think that a season of waiting is a season without joy.  NOPE!  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

So be intentional about living that passage out in your life, and remember to “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) The beauty is that I find “pure joy” every time I decide to delight in the Lord, because I know He's giving me my heart’s desire.

Larry the Compassionate Guy

As posted on Alessi's Angle by Pastor Steve Alessi
http://alessisangle.blogspot.com/2012/12/larry-compassion-guy.html

Pastor Steve

5 - Dec

It was the story of NYPD Police Officer Larry DePrimo that inspired me this past week. If he could purchase a $100 pair of boots and thermal socks for John Harry who was homeless on the streets of New York City, then what could each of us do to make a difference in the lives of those who live around us?

In the spirit of generosity, I've asked our dear friend Paola Roman to share her perspective on the benefits of serving others. As VP of Housing Development for the non-profit affordable housing developer, Carrfour Supportive Housing, she brings to her position a compassion that drives her to serve even beyond her hours on the job. Here is her inspiring outlook on serving:

Once a month for the last year, I have been volunteering with Metro Life’s Project Love Ministry. I’ve served at the Miami Rescue Mission, His House Children’s Home, and even an international mission trip. On my last service day, I asked others why they do it. A few students were very honest to say it was a class requirement and they’d rather be in bed. Others didn’t really know why they serve. I wondered, is service a trained response? Is it a natural human desire that requires awakening?  

Service is more profound than what I can understand, perhaps because the heart of a servant is so complex and forever changing. I think it starts with the heart. For me it was a series of shocking realizations of injustices. Among the first was the stench of a human being laying on a cardboard box on a busy downtown street. They were always there, but one day I chose to see beyond my needs and was awakened to the pain around me. My confusion turned into anger, and with increased awareness of the hurt in this world, I eventually broke down into tears. I knew I could not stand by so I began to volunteer. To this day, my empathy does not allow me to live without taking action.

I believe this compassion for the suffering of others is the fundamental love that drives consistent service. While we may or may not fully understand the root of this love, the earnest desire to care for others grows as does our acceptance of His love. Serving can become overwhelming when you pour out love without refilling. But, God quickly showed me that we were never meant to carry the heavy burdens of this world. God taught me that His love is not only enough for me, but it is sufficient for others. His love truly is living water from a well that will never run dry. There is enough for my hurts and for that of my brethren. I can always go back and draw more of His great love to share with others for their time of trouble. I cannot describe the joy and satisfaction of seeing the power of love through service.

There is satisfaction in sharing this love with others, but my reward is found in Matthew 25:40 where Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least of these my brethren, you did it for Me.”  Knowing that serving others in love is serving the God who first loved me is an immeasurable reward. To love another purely to the point of service is to sow a seed of love that reaps more love and great joy; it’s eternal.  

So I urge you today to make a decision to serve, even train yourself if you have to. It may start off as work, but with time you’ll become addicted to the difference you will make as you love another with your service to them. Then, find a cause that you are passionate about. There is more need in our world than we know. Realize that when you serve with passion, it’s not work. And then align yourself with others who share the same love and interest. You would be surprised to learn you are not the only one concerned about this particular cause. And lastly, don’t wait for a “thank you” or an immediate impact. Just do it as an offering to God and know that your reward is an eternal treasure as consistent joyful service requires endless love.