"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7)

In David’s day of military conquest and nation threatening nation through warfare the most impressive and intimidating of all weaponry was that of chariots and horses. Kings and generals depended on these to give them the victory in battle, and when the odds seemed stacked against them it was to the chariots and horses that they turned for security and hope. Their trust was firmly in the things of that age and world. But David says that he and his people trust instead in the name of the Lord. Chariots and horses were signs of strength in ancient times, so the psalmist is contrasting where the followers of God get their strength vs. other paths to power. One of the... problems with horses and chariots is that there will always be faster chariots and stronger horses to contend with, so the person who puts his trust in them has to live with the anxiety of how long his advantage will last. In contrast, there is no force that will ever displace God, so the person who trusts in the name of the Lord has peace. Those who put their trust in other things apart from God will fall while those who put their trust in God will stand. It is very dangerous to put your trust in humankind; if you do you will be disappointed. If you put your trust in God, you are secure. Make your choice today; who will you trust in!
 
Rev. Karen Washington
Visit us at http://www.elizabethamec.org

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. " (James 1:2)

James doesn't say if you face trials, but when you face trials. In other words, it's inevitable that we will face trials and testing in our life. Yet, James is saying, “Consider it all joy.” How can it be? So many of you are going through some very difficult trials right now. Loss of jobs. Facing financial difficulties. Prolonged illness. The trials of grief. Some have a very unhealthy work situation or are facing relational challenges within you family. There can be hundreds of forms of trials, but God’s Word tells us to, “Consider it all joy.” Really? How can you count it all joy? It’s contrary to human nature. Well, the perso...n who is a follower of Jesus Christ can begin to understand joy amidst trials when they realize that trials have a purpose. When we go through trials, we can begin to build endurance, patience and perseverance. Sometimes it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves that we’re able to release those trials to God and say, “God this is too big for me. I can’t deal with it.” Then, we begin to see the power of God’s strength in our lives and, amazingly, we find joy in the midst of it. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. If you’re going through some difficult times in your life, hand them over to God. Trust Him enough to know that He will carry you through. He won’t let go. Once you have done that, and you realize you’re not alone, then you can count it all joy because God is in the midst of turning a bad situation into a good one. Do not focus on you trial, focus on the Lord. You will discover that He has a purpose for everything. Count it all joy!

Rev. Karen Washington
Visit us at  http://www.elizabethamec.org

"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to enslaved all over again?" (Galatians 4:9)

Directed to the churches in Galatia, Paul is concerned with the possibility that they are being led astray from the faith by false teachings. At the center of his argument, Paul reminds them of their slavery to the sin they were once entangled in; his desire is that they not return to their previous state. Paul was in agony over the fact that they would return to their former lives of sin after they had “come to know God.” This is a powerful statement when you understand that the phrase "to know" in the Bible does not denote knowledge as much as it does experi...ence! Paul is saying, how could you possibly experience Jesus in the way that you have; how could you possibly experience His freedom from sin, only to turn around and run back to that from which you were delivered? Furthermore, Paul notes that these are "weak", worthless", and
"elemental" things. I wonder what Paul might write to the churches today? I wonder what he might write to you or me. Have you experienced the saving grace of our Lord? How then do you live your life? Do you daily return to the sinful
habits you were once enslaved to, or do you continually live out the “fruits of the Spirit”? Haven't you seen and experienced the power of God in your life? Haven't you come to know God; why then would you turn back? You have been bought with the blood of Christ! Do not get entangled with worthless things that will hold you back. Whatever you do, don't turn
back!

Rev. Karen Washington at http://www.elizabethamec.org