The Text

I received a text from a friend several years ago and wrote it in my journal. I had been going through many tough challenges. Her message was uplifting and I believe it will encourage you if you are going through a difficult time. She texted, “Everything you are going through is preparing you for what you asked God for. God will reveal (what you need to know) all in his time. Remain focused and obedient. Walk alone when you have to. Trust God to the fullest no matter how crazy things may look. No word from God is without power or without the ability to come to pass. He said it even if you don’t see it yet. He said it! Don’t you dare turn away. Keep moving forward; God is real. Keep believing, even when it looks like believing isn’t working. The enemy wouldn’t be trying so hard to take you out if your impact against his kingdom wasn’t going to be so great! God will allow the Goliath so we can see the David in us.”

Keys

My friend gave me a few important points that helped me to continue to walk in victory despite the circumstances. First, who or what we focus on when we are dealing with trials will determine the level of our peace during the storm. We can keep our eyes on the problems or zero in on Christ and his word. Hebrews 12:2 (CEV) states, “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne! Secondly, our job is to believe and trust in Christ, especially when things seem to get worse. Spend time finding out what his word says, meditating on the scriptures, believing what he has said, and praising him for his faithfulness. John 6: 29 (AMP) says, “...This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.” Lastly, there is a purpose for the pain and a ministry for the mess. God is going to use it all for his glory. After we have experienced a storm, now we can comfort someone else through theirs. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

PRAY THIS PRAYER:

“Father you are an awesome God, worthy of all the praise, glory, and honor. Thank you for blessing me with friends who love me enough to encourage me and pray for me. I am grateful that I am never alone. I also thank you for entrusting me with the ministry of comfort to others. Please continue to strengthen me through every test and trial. In Jesus’ name, I pray - Amen.” came and sowed weeds under the cover of night. The good seed and the weeds came up together.

Danyale Patterson would love to hear from you! Contact her at www.danyale.com to share a testimony, send a prayer request, or book her to speak.

The servants asked if the farmer wanted the weeds pulled up but the farmer said that the weeds and the good seed were growing together and it could not be pulled up without damaging the good plants. He stated, “At harvest, the good seed can be separated from the weeds.”

In July in Cherryville, it is garden time. Many, many people have gardens in their backyards or out in fields. I am one of those people. I like to garden and I like to grow all kinds of vegetables. I am amazed when I plant a row of okra, squash, corn, or the like, that in just a few days there will be weeds coming up. As we speak, I have a patch of corn that I was not diligent enough to get out in and cut those weeds when they were small and tender. Now I am just hoping that the corn outgrows the weeds and at least I might get an ear or two. My story is a true story. Jesus’ parable was a story that Jesus made up. However, in both stories, weeds are evil and corn – or the good seed – is good.

We live in a time where good and evil exist together. We all ask the question; why does evil exist? But most of the time we wind up making excuses why evil has been done. Jesus, in His parable, is trying to get each of us to understand that good and evil exist simultaneously. Martin Luther uses the Latin phrase, “simul justus et peccator.” Translated into English, it means a Christian is both righteous and a sinner at the same time.

Saint Paul writes in Romans, “I do not understand my own actions. I know what is right but I do what is wrong.”

Now, I am not saying we should go about doing wrong or being evil. The parable tells us that there will be a day – Judgment Day at the harvest – when there will be a clear distinction between good and evil. Until that time we all live together. Our faith tells us that, in the end, what matters, is to be faithful to Jesus Christ, our Savior, the One Who died for us and Who cleanses us from sin and makes us righteous. So have no fear, little flock, Jesus loves us and Jesus saves us!

Anthony Grove Baptist Church 100 Anthony Grove Road Crouse, NC 704-435-6001

Bess Chapel United Methodist Church 6073 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-7969

Bethlehem United Methodist Church 6753 NC 182 Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-1608

Blessed Hope Baptist Church 3357 Fallston-Waco Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-8530

Body of Christ Fellowship Center 405 S. Cherokee Street Cherryville, NC www.bodyofchrist7.com

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Cherryville, NC Pastor Clifton Morgan

Cherryville Church of God 810 East Main Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-2275

Cherryville Missionary Methodist Church 318 W. Ballard Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6934

Emmanuel Baptist Church 1155 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5764

Fairview Baptist Church 415 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-4299

First Baptist Church 301 East 1st Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3796

First Church of the Nazarene 301 North Elm Street Cherryville, NC 828-838-2428

First Presbyterian Church 107 West Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6064

First United Methodist Church 601 N. Pink St. Cherryville, NC 704-435-6732

First Wesleyan Church 800 North Pink Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6069

Free Saints Chapel Church 813 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-0949

Gospel Way Baptist Church 3904 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 866-356-3219

Legacy Church 805 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-457-9615

Living Word Ministries 306 East Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3213

Marys Grove United Methodist Church 1223 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5544

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 235 A.W. Black Street Waco, NC 704-435-8842

Mt. Zion Baptist Church 112 Mt. Zion Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9636

North Brook Baptist Church 7421 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4471

Oak Grove AME Zion Church 542 Flint Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3687

Oak Grove Baptist Church 219 Tot Dellinger Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3053

Revival Tabernacle 1104 Delview Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4073

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