Help

I have a friend who has become interested in helping those caught in human trafficking.  She has this book that follows the story of one girl in particular that she gave me to read and I feel so bad for these people.  Bad isn't even the right word.  I can't describe to you how I feel about this situation.  I was thinking about it last night and I caught myself wishing that the pimps and the people in control over these poor victims would not even hear about the Gospel because they don't deserve to be saved.  The main focus help organizations is to save those who are the victims but if we, in addition to saving the needy, we sought to witness to the traffickers and pimps then maybe the problem might go away.  They keep saying that for every pimp caught there is another that arises but if we gathered the courage found in Christ we might be able to slow the problem down with the power of the Gospel.

Trials of Life

James 1:12 says "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  Nobody likes going through difficult times but they are inevitable in a world where there is evil.  As Christians we are suppose persevere with God's help.  We cannot do it on our own; only with the power of God.  I am just so glad that even if we have trials that a) God is on our side and he will help us through and b) that he will reward those who stay strong and stand firm for him through those trials.

Joseph

When I was little kid and I heard the story of Joseph I never quite understood how it would help me in my walk of faith.  Gradually over the years it has become more and more apparent but today in church I think I finally understand what I am suppose to see about it.  Through all the trials and hardships Joseph went through and all the people he should have hated Joseph acted with hope, faith, forgiveness, and optimism.  He prayed a prayer a blessing to those who wronged him and always did the best with what he got.

Prayer

Romans 15:13 is a great prayer for someone.  I don't know what that context of the verse is but out of context I would love for someone to pray it for me and my life.  Some times it's hard to have peace in joy in this world especially if you are in God's will because of persecution and Satan trying everything to bring you down.  I would love to be overflowing with hope in my trials and tribulations.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 Romans 15:13

God's Plan

Romans 8:28 says that God works for the good of those who love him.  All we have to do is love him.  How hard can it be right?  He loved us so much that he sent his son to take our sin punishment.  When I look at it through this verse, it is almost like this unselfish act of loving him would in a way be selfish because God's plan for me is better than anything I could ever come up with and carry out.

Joshua 1:9

God has commanded me to be strong and courageous in him.  One of the most difficult things to in my life is talk to my friends, especially my close friends, about their faith and mine.  I'm scared to.  They all know how I feel about the things they do and every time I try to talk to them I think they tune me out.  But because God wants me to I will try harder and harder everyday to reach them and bring them back to him.