Jeremiah 30:19 ‘And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.’

DAILY READING – • Matthew 25:1-30; Numbers 30-31; Job 1

Gladys Aylward was living in London in the early 20th century when she attended a revival meeting where the preacher spoke of dedicating one’s life to God’s service. She responded to the message, and soon became convinced that she was called to preach the Gospel in China. However, Gladys did not know that in obeying the call she would face unprecedented hardship and difficulties.
When she heard of a 73-year-old missionary, Mrs. Jeannie Lawson, who was looking for a younger woman to carry on her work in China, Gladys wrote to her offering her services..
In 1930, Gladys arrived in China and began working with Mrs. Lawson to preach the Gospel in an environment that was hostile to Christianity. After Mrs. Lawson died, Gladys was left alone to carry on the mission.
Gladys became very moved by the Chinese people’s poverty and sufferings. When a mother offered to sell her own sickly child for only nine pence, Gladys was moved to tears, paid the money and adopted the child. This adoption was the beginning of her orphanage ministry which swelled to over 100 children.
In 1938, the town where they lived was attacked by the Japanese army. To escape massacre, Gladys took the 100 children in her care on a 300-mile, 12-day journey through the mountainous terrain to Chinese Nationalist territory.
They walked over rocky trails in cloth shoes that quickly deteriorated leaving their feet exposed. They slept in the open air, boiled leaves and weeds for food, and often ran for their lives to avoid Japanese bullets. Miraculously, they were able to cross the Yellow River.
The final leg of their journey was atop the cars of a coal train. Upon their arrival, though Gladys collapsed from typhoid fever, she blessed God that all the children were safe.
Indeed despite all the difficulties, Gladys remained grateful and joyful. God continued to increase her and she achieved international fame through a 1957 biography book and film about her life. She is celebrated as one of the greatest British missionaries to China.

When God calls us to an assignment, He does not promise us the road would be easy, but He does promise to be with us always.
His presence imparts into us the grace to count all trials as joy.
Though we may sometimes pass through hurts, disappointments and overwhelming hardships, we should react to negative circumstance with the understanding that God is with us. And when God is for us nothing and no one can be against us.
God’s grace will always be sufficient for us.
Somehow, He will always make a way.
This is why James 1:2 tells us to count it all joy when we pass through diverse trials..

The message translation says “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.” (James 1:2- MSG)

As we praise God in trials, pressures will be turned to pleasures. Out of ashes will come forth glory, beauty and color in our lives.
Indeed the altar of praise is the altar of divine turnarounds.
Therefore rather than focus on trials, let us use every such opportunity to bless God.
Learn to refuse discouragement despite any contrary situation that may seem to confront you.
In everything keep counting it all joy.
Joy is the mystery behind rising above obstacles because the joy of the Lord is our strength.
As we remain connected to God’s presence where there is fullness of joy, we will never fall no matter how hard the wind blows.
As thanksgiving and praise continually proceeds from our lips, God will multiply us and cause the earth to yield its increase to us.
Having come to the last month of the year, we are in that season where God will be crowning our efforts with good things. It is our season of sudden turnarounds and dramatic positive changes.
As we commit to a lifestyle of blessing the Lord at all times, surely, our lives will overflow with His signs and wonders.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to continue to press forward, no matter how hard the journey may seem. I thank You for strengthening my faith and enabling me to praise You always for the great and mighty things You are set to do in my life in Jesus Name.
Quote;
You will never need more than God to experience the impossible in life. WORDBITE 222.