Physically Challenged Ministry

I have been a Christian since 1981 then became physically challenged in 1986. In 1989 God put a mission on my heart to create the physically challenged ministry to strengthen and encourage other Christians through the Bible.

Here are the scriptures that pulled me out of misery and into the glorious freedom of acceptance.

Physically Challenged Ministry 7/22/09

I am learning something really important that I have overlooked that was right in front of me all along.

I have been reading the Bible since 1977 and often read how Jesus healed people during His time on earth.

When I was healthy as a TAB[Temporarily Able Bodied] I would see the healing as a means to an end for Jesus. In other words Jesus would heal people so He would draw a crowd, and many would hear about salvation [ultimate healing after death]. While this is true I often overlooked the compassion Jesus had and the need He felt to bring an end to so many people's suffering even if it was only temporary [for if all His healing was permanent these people would still be alive 2000 or so years later.]

When I became disabled with multiplesclerosis at 31, a TUB [Temporarily UnableBodied] I viewed the healings with jealousy, longing for the opportunity to be healed. As a result I stayed away from any references to healing with the thoughts of [that was then, this is now get on with your life as you are someday I will be “healed” when in Heaven]. I am not saying these are necessarily wrong thoughts, but because illness and sin seemed connected by those who were ignorant of the scriptures and the heart of God. [I will address this issue some other time] I looked at healing and sinlessness as the same. The thought of being in Heaven healed and sinless was the attraction.

I am going to do an in depth study of the 4 Gospels re-examining the healing scriptures [not looking at them the same way ] to hopefully gain some further insight into the heart of Jesus. I will be posting my research on the website and look forward to learning and to where God leads me on this.

In the meantime take some time to look through the scriptures that I just went through from the letters. I will return to them and add some comments but they really stand on their own. Read through them, absorb them into your way of thinking. I am amazed again and again at the gems I have overlooked the first few hundred times through them. I am confident that there are many more insights into God that can be seen here.

Love in Christ, Bill Sullivan

physically challenged ministry “RESCUE SCRIPTURES”

Matthew11:25-30 (NIV)-"After Jesus hadfinished instructing his

Matthew11:25-30 (MSG)-"Abruptly Jesusbroke into prayer:

Romans 8:18-39 (NIV)-"I consider that our present sufferings are not

Romans8:18-39 (MSG)-"That's why I don't think there's any comparison

2Corinthians 1:3-11 (NIV)-"Praise be to the God and Father of our

2Corinthians 1:3-11(MSG)- "All praise to the God and Father of our

2Corinthians 4:7-9(NIV) -"But we have this treasure in jars of

2Corinthians 4:7-9(MSG) -"If you only look at us, you might well

2Corinthians 5:1-9(NIV) -"Now we know that if the earthly tent we

2Corinthians 5:1-9(MSG) -"For instance, we know that when these

2Corinthians 6:4-13(NIV)- "Rather,as servants of God we commend

2Corinthians 6:4-13(MSG)"Companionsas we are in this work with

2Corinthians 7:4-7(NIV) -"I have greatconfidence in you; I take

2Corinthians 7:4-7(MSG) -"I have,in fact, the greatest confidence

2Corinthians 12:7-10(NIV)- "To keep me from becoming conceited

2Corinthians 12:7-10(MSG)- "Because of theextravagance of those

1Thessalonians 5:11(NIV)-"Therefore encourage one another and…"

1Thessalonians 5:11(MSG)-"So speak encouraging words to one…"

Galatians4:13-15 (NIV)-"As you know, it was because of an illness…"

Galatians4:13-15 (MSG)-"You were well aware that the reason I…"

Philippians3:20-21 (NIV)-"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we…"

Philippians3:20-21 (MSG)-"But there's far more to life for us.…"

Philippians4:4-8 (NIV)-"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it…"

Philippians4:4-8 (MSG)-"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean,…"

1Thessalonians5:16-18(NIV)-"Be joyful always;…"

1Thessalonians5:16-18(MSG)-"Be cheerful no matter what;…"

James1:2-4 (NIV)-"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you…"

James1:2-4 (MSG)-"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests…"

James1:9-11 (NIV)-"The brother in humble circumstances ought to…"

James1:9-11 (MSG)-"When down-and-outers get a break, cheer!…"

James1:12 (NIV)-"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,…"

James1:12 (MSG)-"Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and…"

James5:7-11 (NIV)-"Be patient, then,brothers, until the Lord's…"

James5:7-11 (MSG)-"Meanwhile,friends, wait patiently for the…"

1Peter1:3-9 (NIV)-"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord…"

1Peter1:3-9 (MSG)-"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are…"

1Peter1:24-25(NIV)-"For, "All men are like grass, and all their…"

1Peter1:24-25(MSG)-"That's why the prophet said, The old life is…"

• Matthew 11:25-30 (NIV)- "After Jesus had finished instructing his

• 25. At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

• 26. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

• 27. "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

• 28. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

• 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

• 30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

• Matthew 11:25-30 (MSG)- "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:

• 25. Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.

• 26. Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

• 27. Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

• 28. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.

• 29. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

• 30. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Romans8:18-39 (NIV)-"I consider that ourpresent sufferings are not

• 18.I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

• 19. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

• 20. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

• 21. that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

• 22. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

• 23. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

• 24. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?

• 25. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

• 26. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

• 27. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

• 28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

• 29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

• 30. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

• 31. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

• 32. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

• 33. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

• 34. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

• 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

• 36. As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

• 37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

• 38. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

• 39.neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans8:18-39 (MSG)-"That's why I don'tthink there's any comparison

• 18.That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.

• 19. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next.

• 20. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in

• 21. until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

• 22. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs.

• 23. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance.

• 24. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us.

• 25. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

• 26. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.

• 27. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God.

• 28. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

• 29. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

• 30. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

• 31. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

• 32. If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?

• 33. And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen?

• 34. Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us - who was raised to life for us! - is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.

• 35. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

• 36. They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

• 37. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.

• 38. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,

• 39. high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

2Corinthians 1:3-11 (NIV)-"Praise be to theGod and Father of our

3.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Fatherof compassion and the God of all comfort,

• 4. who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

• 5. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

• 6. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

• 7. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

• 8.

• We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

• 9. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

• 10. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

• 11. as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

2Corinthians 1:3-11(MSG)- "All praise to theGod and Father of our

• 3. All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel!

• He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

• 5. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort - we get a full measure of that, too.

• 6. When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times.

• 7. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.

• 8.

• We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it.

• 9. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally - not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead!

• 10. And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.

• 11. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation - I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.

2Corinthians 4:7-9(NIV) -"But we have thistreasure in jars of

• 7. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

• 8. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

• 9. persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2Corinthians 4:7-9(MSG) -"If you only look atus, you might well

7. If you only look atus,you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Messagearound in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's toprevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.

• 8. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do,

• 9. but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken.

2Corinthians 5:1-9(NIV)- "Now we know that if the earthly tent we

1.Nowwe know that if the earthly tent we live in isdestroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven,not built by human hands.

• 2. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,

• 3. because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

• 4. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

• 5. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

• 6. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

• 7. We live by faith, not by sight.

• 8. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

• 9. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

2Corinthians 5:1-9(MSG)- "For instance, we know that when these

• 1. -For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven - God-made, not handmade

• 2. - and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move - and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies!

• 5. The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.

• 6. That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead.

• 7. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.

• 8. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.

• 9. But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.

2Corinthians 6:4-13(NIV)- "Rather,as servants of God we commend

• Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

• 5. in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

• 6. in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

• 7. in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

• 8. through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

• 9. known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

• 10. sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

• 11. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

• 12. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

• 13. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.

2Corinthians 6:4-13(MSG)"Companionsas we are in this work with

• 4. Our work as God's servants gets validated - or not - in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times;

• 5. when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating;

• 6. with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;

• 7. when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right;

• 8. when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted;

• 9. ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die;

• 10. immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

• 11. Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life.

• 12. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way.

• 13. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

2Corinthians 7:4-7(NIV)- "I have great confidence in you; I take

• 4. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

• 5. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.

• 6. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

• 7. and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

2Corinthians 7:4-7(MSG)- "I have,in fact, the greatest confidence

• 4. I have, in fact, the greatest confidence in you. If only you knew how proud I am of you! I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.

• 5. When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn't settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn't relax because we didn't know how it would turn out.

• 6. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus.

• 7. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!

2Corinthians 12:7-10(NIV)- "To keep me from becoming conceited

• 7. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

• 8. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

• 9. 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.

• 10. 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.

2Corinthians 12:7-10(MSG)- "Because of the extravagance of those

• 7. Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty!

• 8. At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that,

• 9. and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.

• 10. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

1Thessalonians 5:11(NIV)-"Therefore encourage one another and…"

• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1Thessalonians 5:11(MSG)-"So speak encouraging words to one…"

Sospeak encouraging words to one another. Builduphope so you'llallbe together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I knowyou're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

Galatians4:13-15 (NIV)-"As you know, it was because of an illness…"

13.Asyouknow,it was because ofanillness that Ifirstpreached the gospel to you.

• 14. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

• 15. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

Galatians4:13-15 (MSG)-"You were well aware that the reason I…"

13.Youwerewell aware that the reason I ended up preaching to you was that I wasphysically broken,andso, prevented from continuing my journey, I was forced to stop withyou. That is how I came to preach to you.

• 14.And don't you remember that even though taking in a sick guest was most troublesome for you, you chose to treat me as well as you would have treated an angel of God - as well as you would have treated Jesus himself if he had visited you?

• 15.What has happened to the satisfaction you felt at that time? There were some of you then who, if possible, would have given your very eyes to me - that is how deeply you cared!

Philippians3:20-21 (NIV)-"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we…"

20.Butourcitizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there,the Lord Jesus Christ,

• 21. who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians3:20-21 (MSG)-"But there's far more to life for us.…"

20.Butthere'sfar more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waitingthe arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ,

• 21.who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

Philippians4:4-8 (NIV)-"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it…"

4.Rejoiceinthe Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

• 5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

• 6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

• 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• 8. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Philippians4:4-8 (MSG)-"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean,…"

4.CelebrateGodall day, every day. I mean, revel in him!

• 5. Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

• 6. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

• 7. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

• 8. Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

1Thessalonians5:16-18(NIV)-"Be joyful always;…"

16.Bejoyful always;17. Praycontinually;18. give thanksin allcircumstances,forthis is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalonians5:16-18(MSG)-"Be cheerful no matter what;…"

16.Becheerfulnomatter what;17.prayall the time; 18. thank God no matter whathappens. This isthe way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

James1:2-4 (NIV)-"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you…"

2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

• 4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James1:2-4 (MSG)-"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests…"

2.Considerita sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from allsides.

• 3. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.

• 4. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

James1:9-11 (NIV)-"The brother in humble circumstances ought to…"

9.Thebrotherin humblecircumstances oughtto take pride in his high position.

• 10. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.

• 11. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

James1:9-11 (MSG)-"When down-and-outers get a break, cheer!…"

9.Whendown-and-outersget a break, cheer!

• 10. And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it.

• 11. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.

James1:12 (NIV)-"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,…"

12.Blessedisthe man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood thetest, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised tothose who love him.

James1:12 (MSG)-"Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and…"

12.Anyonewho meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it outis mighty fortunate. Forsuch persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and morelife.

James5:7-11 (NIV)-"Be patient, then,brothers, until the Lord's…"

7.Bepatient, then,brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for theland to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumnand spring rains.

• 8. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

• 9. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

• 10. Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

• 11. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James5:7-11(MSG)-"Meanwhile,friends, wait patiently for the…"

7.Meanwhile,friends,wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this allthe time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature,patientlyletting the rain do its slow but sure work.

• 8. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.

• 9. Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.

• 10. Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God.

• 11. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.

1Peter1:3-9 (NIV)-"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord…"

3.Praisebe to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercyhe has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrectionof Jesus Christ from the dead,

• 4. and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,

• 5. who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

• 6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

• 7. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

• 8. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

• 9. for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1Peter1:3-9 (MSG)-"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are…"

3.WhataGod we have! Andhow fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our MasterJesus!Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given abrand-new life and have everything to live for,

• 4. including a future in heaven - and the future starts now!

• 5. God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all - life healed and whole.

• 6. I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.

• 7. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

• 8. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him - with laughter and singing.

• 9. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.

1Peter1:24-25(NIV)-"For, "All men are like grass, and all their…"

24.For,"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowersof the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

• 25. but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

1Peter1:24-25(MSG)-"That's why the prophet said, The old life is…"

24.That's why the prophet said, The old life is a grass life, itsbeauty as short-lived as wildflowers; Grass dries up, flowers droop,

• 25. God's Word goes on and on forever. This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.