Did you know that we become what we idolize? Do you also know that our Lord is greater than all our problems?

^{Psalm 115:2-8}

² Why do the nations say,
   “Where is their God?”
³ Our God is in heaven;
   he does whatever pleases him.
⁴ But their idols are silver and gold,
   made by human hands.
⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak,
   eyes, but cannot see.
⁶ They have ears, but cannot hear,
   noses, but cannot smell.
⁷ They have hands, but cannot feel,
   feet, but cannot walk,
   nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
⁸ Those who make them will be like them,
   and so will all who trust in them.

PUT GOD FIRST AND HE WILL PRIORATIZE OUR LIFE! 

Most of us are thinking, "Yeah, right...easier said than done". 

Every person on the face of this earth is experiencing adversity - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

• Relationship problems with our -
• Spouse
• Children / teens / young & old
• Parents
• Friends
• Enemies
• Financial problems
• Health problems
• Career problems
• Bullying problems
• Identity problems
• Anger problems
• Deceptive problems
• Gambling problems
• Addiction to drug problems
• Addiction to alcohol problems
• Addiction to food problems
• Addiction to pornography problems
• Stealing problems
• Unforgiveness problems

PICK ONE OF THE ABOVE - THAT'S YOUR IDOL & THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE CONSTANTLY PUTTING YOUR TIME & THOUGHTS & ENERGY INTO.  

YOU HAVE BECOME EVERYTHING AFFILIATED WITH THAT PROBLEM! OMG!

THE SOLUTION & YOUR CHOICE: READY

BUT SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU AS 

Matthew 6:33

How is it possible to co-exist and have sorrow and joy at the same time?

Seriously, you wonder, how can this be possible to experience sorrow and joy at the same time?

After contemplating this question, I realized that through death of some people did I actually experience both emotions at the same time. 

Before accepting Jesus as my Savior, death was so sorrowful.  There is a feeling of dullness, emptiness, and eventually resentment.  Many unanswered questions.  No person, no event, no words of comfort, no friends, absolutely nothing can take away the tiny seed of resentment that was growing inside me.  Death was an event that frightened me and more so when I had my own children.  We think we can do everything possible to prevent death, but we understand that upon birth death awaits us...so I thought.

Learning there is eternal life and choosing to believe, no longer made death as frightening. 

The loss of someone so dear is sorrowful. Believing and knowing that eternal life awaits our loss is so endearing and that is joy.  Here, is where I've experienced sorrow and joy at the same time.

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (2 Corinthians 6:10 NIV)

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don't put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we're doing. 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; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right;

when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; 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; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. 
(2 Corinthians 6:10 Message)

Thank you Pastor Mel & Tim of The Bridge Church