On my blog, the Pastors blog, I am going to start publishing our Wednesday bible study. For those who are not familiar with our Wednesday study; we meet in the fellowship hall and have a one hour bible study with general discussion. All are welcome, and all are encouraged to participate. These topical studies are meant to be instructive, and encouraging. I would appreciate any feedback on my blog posts. Wednesday Bible Study (Living Life) I want to start right off by saying there are many who are saved God fearing Christians, but miss the peace and joy they can have in this life. James 1:2-5; My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Many make the mistake of thinking life should always be happy, fulfilling, peaceful, and devoid of any problems. That simply is not true, and has caused many to miss the joy, fulfillment, and peace there is in life. The reality is that most people don’t care about our problems and difficulties. There is an old saying that goes like this; don’t waste your time telling people your problems because half don’t care, and the other half are glad. But there is one who does care, one who not only is capable of, but does love us with a love deeper than we can even imagine. The question we must not only ask ourselves, but be honest in our answer with is this; what are we looking for in life? If you are looking for something that isn’t there you will never find it. But if we have peace with God, and peace in our heart, we have joy and peace in life. Matt 7:14; Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 10:38-39; And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (The reward is eternal life in Jesus.) There was a song out a few years ago sung by Johnny Lee, that had this lyric; Looking for love in all the wrong places. That was a secular song written to worldly people, but it applies to believers more than to the carnal world. We look for love in all the wrong places, the only true love is from the Lord, even the human love we share, if it is not from the Lord, it is empty. The world looks for love and peace, in sex, success, money, and people. But all it brings is betrayal, disappointment, poverty, and loneliness. Life is difficult enough without looking for love and happiness in all the wrong places. First we must understand that life is not about this life, but the life to come, we have a future and a hope that is beyond anything this world has to offer; James 4:14-15; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. No one, and that means no one, will find all they are looking for in this life, but only in a life lived for and in Christ. Gal 2:20; I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. We must also keep in mind that our complete fulfillment and reward will never be found in this life. I Cor 15:19; If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. The hope and promises we have in Christ give us peace in the difficulties of this life; John 16:33; These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”