This weeks PraiseNation Evotions have been a mixed bag. I choose to start the week with a Bible Promise for Wednesday because of it's stark simplicity:-

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.  Otherwise, you have believed in vain
1 Corinthians 15:2

There is no mistaking the message here, there's no room for maneuver, it is what is says, "By 'this gospel' you are saved..."

In Pastor Mark's Monday Joy, we learn that 'this gospel' is not for any particular kind of man or for a 'special' nationality but for all of mankind and we should praise the Lord that we share our brotherhood with such a noble peoples as the indigenous communities of Papua New Guinea, the Australian Aborigine and the Yakama Nation.

Again, on Wednesday, brother Fred points us to James 1:9-10

9  Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Another pointer to the fact that 'this gospel' is not directed at a mans standing or wealth. When prince and pauper stand side by side, naked (of any worldly adornment or what ever attitude those adornments may create), the Lord sees two men equal in all respects. If you can not shake off the attitude of your earthly position the Lord will see a lesser person.

Think about it, does your six bedroom house actually say very much about the real 'you'?
Does the fact that you can afford a vacation every year place you nearer to our Lord?
Or, nearer to the point, do you think it does?
It's difficult...very difficult  not to feel superior or inferior when in the company of someone at the other end of the social scale. Remember, wherever you may be placed on the social chart, troubles will strike at you just as well as at anyone else. This is when we should use (ask for) Godly patience (strength). Your money and your friends will not always be able to help you out but patience will always see you through.

We learn once again, from brother Fred, in Thursdays evotion, that:-

We can endure our troubles in two ways:

1.  Be miserable and frightened, dreading the outcome of the trouble.

2.  Be bold and joyful knowing that the LORD brings more character into us through these times.

Our Scripture for today says we should be blessed (which means happy through the LORD) when we endure....

In Thursday Night Teens, brother Matthew reinforces that 'this gospel' is true:-

"For the Word of the LORD is right and true,
He is faithful in all He does."
Psalms 33:4

That's why we call our Bible Promises, 'Bible Promises'. If it is the word of God...it's a promise. You don't have to question it because the answer is always, 'YES'

"You mean Jesus took away our sins...."    YES!
"and God will...."    YES!
"and everlasting life is..." YES!
"and..."   YES! YES! YES!

We are also reminded by brother Matthew that our word (no matter how we may try) does not hold the same validity as the Promises of God. We are, after all, only human. Unfortunately, being 'only human' has taught us through our earthly lessons, to distrust....to view the world with a certain skepticism...to apply caution in all that we do.

and then, yesterday, (praise the Lord) sister Deborah crowned the week with Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am GOD."

 It seems next to impossible to trust a GOD that we can't see when those we do see betray our trust....

Trusting the LORD means that we believe that He will always keep His promises

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Believe what you read in the gospel.
Do not maintain an earthly attitude.
Do not see (or look for) the earthly attitudes in others.
Take on the strength and patience of God when challenged.
Accept His word as a promise.
Trust His promises with an open heart.