Category: Trials and Tribulations

Bible Verse of The Day – 11-15-12

(1 Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV)  Rejoice always…

Are you going through tough times right now? Are you fearful about the current state of the world? Do you wonder what tomorrow will bring?

What does God say we should do in the midst of all this? Rejoice always!

God wants us to rejoice in everything, both good times and tough times. In victory and in trials, He wants us to rejoice!

Further on, He says (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NKJV)  pray without ceasing, {18} in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

So we are to rejoice, pray and give thanks. This is so opposite what our flesh wants to do when we face struggles. In the natural, we want to cry, pout, ask God why this is happening to us and have a little pity party for ourselves.

But God wants us to press into Him and pull our strength from Him! He wants us to pick ourselves up and move forward, even when it feels like we can’t get up.

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13).

We have not been left alone or abandoned. We are not orphans. We have a heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to cross the finish line with victory.

Let’s learn how to rejoice, no matter what comes our way and watch how God works in our lives.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-11-12

(Phil 3:14 NKJV)  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Life is not always easy. Even as believers and children of God, there are going to be trials and tribulations. It’s just a fact of life.

It doesn’t seem to matter what we do, these trials still come. What matters, though, is how we go through these trials.

Do we stay positive and honor God in the midst of the storm, or do we lose our faith quickly and begin to get negative, losing sight of the prize in front of us.

God has taught us that things will come our way that won’t always be pleasant. He has also taught us in scriptures, such as the one above, that our life is not just about short-term goals or victories.

We are in a race that is life-long. And while we will reap rewards even while we’re here on earth, our eye needs to be kept on the final prize, when we stand before our Creator.

As followers of Christ, our ultimate goal should be to hear these words:

(Mat 25:23 NKJV)  …’Well done, good and faithful servant…

So press through the tough times, the trials and the tests, no matter how hard it gets, and keep your eye on the prize. We might not be able to do it on our own, but with God’s help we can have victory.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-24-12

(Mat 10:36 NKJV)  “and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

Are we going through family turmoil in our homes, within our church family, or in our work place, etc.? Well, don’t let it take you by surprise. God’s Word shows us that we don’t have to look very far to find enemies; they can be right in our own backyard.

It’s very hard when we have family members, close friends or co-workers that cause trouble for us, simply because they don’t agree with who we have chosen to be in Christ or how we choose to handle things.

It’s possible they are just plain jealous because good things are happening in our lives and they can’t handle it. But we can’t let them stop us from doing what is right and being all that Christ calls us to be.

We have to be alert, stand our ground, be who God has called us to be, and keep moving forward with love!!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-11-12

(Job 2:9 NKJV)  Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity?  Curse God and die!”

There are two kinds of people in life who you can surround yourself with. One kind will encourage you and help you, no matter what you’re going through. The other kind will be like Job’s wife… telling you to throw in the towel, curse God and die!

Hmm… Which kind of people would you rather have around you when you’re going through a trial or a crisis?

We can choose, you know. We don’t have to let the negative people hang on us and fill our atmosphere with their negativity!! It’s not always easy to get away from them, or to keep them away from us, but when we’re in a tough situation the last thing we need is people whispering negative comments in our ears.

This doesn’t mean that we should immediately set about giving our negative friends the boot and leaving them in the dust, but it does mean that we should be a little pickier about how much time we spend with the people who tend to be more negative when we’re in need of encouragement.

So if you’re going through a tough time, take inventory of who you’re spending time with and who is speaking into your life. Weed out those who seem to bring you down and sped less time with them. Let God bring more positive people into your midst.

Even Jesus kicked the doubters out when he was about to perform miracles. Maybe we should learn from His example!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 7-18-12

(Dan 3:26 NKJV)  Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.

These 3 men were thrown into a fiery furnace for not bowing to Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or worshipping the golden image that he made. They took a strong stand and did not give in…not even to death.

Are you standing strong today and feeling the heat because of it? Just as God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, He will surely deliver you.

In the next verse, it says it all (Dan 3:27 NKJV)  the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

Wow! Talk about a miracle… nobody could deny God’s magnificent power. Praise be to God, for He is faithful!!

You’re coming out of that fire and you too will be free from any harm!! In Jesus Name! Amen.

Stand strong, and don’t give in to the pressure.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-17-12

(2 Cor 4:17-18 NKJV)  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, {18} while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Wow… now how many of us can honestly say that we think of our trials in that way?

As we go through the things that come our way each day, each week and each year of our lives, how awesome is it to know that they are only temporary? No matter how tough things get, they are not here forever, but just for a while.

God has created us to be eternal beings, living a natural life while we’re here on earth and then living eternally when our time on this earth is done. We should understand fully that there is more to our lives here than just things in the natural… that even though we live in a tangible, natural environment, there are many things that happen in the spiritual realm, behind the scenes.

But even in this, we know that everything we go through will bring us closer to God and bring honor to His name, if we let it.

What are you going through today? Are you fighting any battles? Some of us are facing some very tough things; decisions, choices, accusations, persecution, loss of loved ones, loss of finances, divorce, breakups, homelessness, despair, depression. The list could get pretty lengthy, because we’re all facing something!

But know that God is working things out within us and strengthening us through every one of these trials. No matter how tough it gets, cling to Him and trust Him with every fiber of your being. Don’t give up hope.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-14-12

(Jer 1:19 NKJV)  They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.”

How many times do we feel like someone is coming against us? How many of us can testify that we are fought hard when we are trying to do the right thing?

You would think that people would like it when you are living right.The first thing people say is, “your being judgmental” or “you think your better then us!” They try to make you think there is something wrong with you.

So many of the people that don’t want to walk according to God’s Word like to throw stones at those who do. Not all of them do this, but many do.

Just as this scripture says, though, “They will fight against you, but they shall NOT prevail”…the LORD will deliver us!

Stand strong in the Lord and keep doing what’s right. No matter how hard it seems to get, we will prevail with God’s strength and His help.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-2-12

(James 1:2-3 NKJV)  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

If we are in a trial today count it all joy. It may not seem or feel very joyful but God’s word tells us that our faith is being tested and it will produce patience in us.

This is a good thing because what happens to those who wait upon the Lord? (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

You see, it’s in times like this that our faith gets tested and brings us to our knees to pull on God even more. It’s in these times when we see God at work, and it builds our faith each time He delivers us out of our situation. It teaches us patience as we  trust in Him.

Even in trials God will bring forth good!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-27-12

(2 Th 3:13 NKJV)  But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

Have you ever felt like you just want to stop trying… like it’s not worth the effort that it takes to do the right thing?

Let me encourage you today to never, ever give up doing the right thing. There are times when it feels like it’s harder to do right than to do wrong, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth the effort to do right.

Giving up is the easy way out. God doesn’t want us to take the easy way. He wants us to take the way that will give Him glory and make us stronger!

Today, as you fight your way through whatever battle comes your way, remember that nothing is gained by taking the easy way.

Anything worth obtaining has to be fought for. But when the battle is won, it makes the prize that much more valuable.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-24-12

(Mat 17:20 NKJV)  So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Who has a mountain in front of them today? Are you hurting inside? Do you need some kind of a breakthrough? Are you waiting on a miracle?

Do we know the power and authority that is within us, as we have received the Son of God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Child of the ALMIGHTY GOD? His Spirit lives in us!

Speak to that mountain today and tell it to be gone…in the Mighty name of Jesus! Call it by name! Be gone…debt, control, lust, drug addiction, self-centeredness, pornography, abuse. etc. They are all mountains that need to go! Tell them to be removed and believe that God will remove them as we have faith and trust in Him to do so… you shall be free!!

Believe and walk in VICTORY!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-6-12

(Gal 6:9 KJV)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

How many of us are in a challenging season right now?

Everything in us is saying “when is this ever going to change? When will I get my raise? When will these people stop with their gossip about me? When will my child respect me and listen to what I have to say? When will my spouse pay attention to me? When, when when?”

Don’t give up… faint NOT! Don’t even entertain these thoughts. When they come at you, you come right back with “IN DUE SEASON”, because that’s what God says!!

Repeat these words: “In Due SEASON we shall REAP”.

We claim this promise over your situations today.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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