Life is NOT a Bed of Roses – Okay!

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Paul in the same letter wrote these words:
“In journeys often, in perils (danger) of waters, in perils (danger) of robbers, in perils (danger) of my own countrymen, in perils (danger) of the Gentiles, in perils (danger) in the city, in perils (danger) in the wilderness, in perils (danger) in the sea, in perils (danger) among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things [like being stoned (i.e. rocked to death) and left for dead], what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:26-28). Yet, Paul counted these as light when compared to the "substantial magnitude" of the glory awaiting him in heaven. We would count these things as heavy weight and maybe even unbearable – But Paul looking at what awaits him in heaven and then being fully in God’s presence says, “Our light affliction.”

I want us to keep that in mind as I share from my heart about what life has been like lately. When I get to sharing in my devotions and blogs, I want to share all the "good" and "exciting" things with you all. And normally that's what you'll primarily get, but with that being said, I also think that we (including me) need to be transparent enough that we don't have everyone thinking we "walk on a bed of roses." Because that is not true for me and it's not true for anyone reading this. As Job says, “Yet man is born to trouble…” (Job 5:7 also see Job 14:1) and as Solomon says apart from a walk with Christ, these words, “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” – Eccles. 2:11. If we don’t keep our eyes on Jesus (see Heb. 12:2), we will feel just like Solomon in this passage. Here is one reason we need to let the body of Christ (at least those we trust) know “hey, everything is not great." (See Heb. 10:25)

Personally, I struggle with major fatigue issues, insomnia, and other health-related issues, also some hurtful family matters, unemployment (no job) and not looking so bright for a 51-year-old with little "secular" talent. But God will make a way!!!

So, I guess in this update I want you to know I'm going through a really rough time in many areas - But through it all I am attempting to keep my eyes on Jesus. If I could just talk about Jesus and read about Jesus (when not too fatigued) all the time, I think that would be great. But in truth, life has its exciting times (mine are mostly Christ-related) and its down times (health issues, family issues, financial issues, etc). Note: Through it all I have a very understanding wife. Praise the Lord!

Lesson learned on trials and suffering:
Back in the late 1990's I started BibleFood Devotional (www.biblefood.org) and had an e-mail list at one time of over 6500 members (quite exciting). Then, over next decade the internet has changed and membership dropped to a smaller list (2,000) and has really gone more the way of the blog for sharing my devotions (www.biblefood.blogspot.com).

The point is through that devotional many, many wonderful things have happened. Among those things, I started to see almost everyone has "stuff" they are dealing with. It might be an illness, a divorce, a death, a rebellious child. The list is endless (and many have a combination of these ALL going on at the same time).

I think this has helped me to see my personal trials were not special or unique and to see that everyone has life trials. I like to tell people, "THIS AIN'T HEAVEN." I think the sooner we see that, the better off we are, as we will stop the why me and start seeing it is ALL of us living in a fallen/sin-filled world.

I even thought (sometimes still tempted to think) "why God did you make me thus?"

Yet, in all that I don't necessarily like about myself, my weaknesses, my "lot" in life, God has flowed through this broken vessel called Jim Mazzulla, yeah, he has!!! Blows me away!!!

I also love the fact that the less I accomplish (in my power), the more I can see God working in this broken vessel (Jim). (See Rom. 8:28, Phil. 1:6)

Life is not all fun, I don't handle everything like a "spiritual giant", but to KNOW that my God will NEVER leave me or FORSAKE me (see Heb. 13:5) is absolutely awesome. No matter what outside circumstances are screaming at me, God will see me through! (See Phil. 4:13)

So be encouraged that you were wrong to ever think this life would be easy or trial-free AND try to accept what you have no control over, or move out of the way in those areas God has told you to leave alone.

In the end it is all about GLORIFYING GOD!

My prayer for me and you is that our Lord would reveal to us, that no matter how dark it may seem (or be), He is with us ALWAYS! And that our lives here are to be lived not for us but for our creator, and to GIVE ALL GLORY TO HIM.

(These scriptures alone make for a good study on Glorifying God, please take the time to read them - See Psa. 50:23; Jeremiah 9:24; Isa. 24:15; I Cor. 3:20; I Cor. 10:31; I Peter 4:16, Rev. 4:11 & 5:13)

So my friends, family, and brothers and sisters in Christ, don't let ANYTHING (or anyone) take you away from the truth that "if God before us, who can be against us" – Rom. 8:31

He is God and I will praise Him! (Read PSA. 150:1-6)

AMEN! AMEN!

Other devotions/teaching on trials, test, tribulation (and other subjects) are available at: www.biblefood.org/archive.html

It's March!!! Spring's around the corner - Really!?

I share "My Journey in Christ" in this blog. In my last blog I felt led to share one of my "BibleFood Devotions" (Part 1 of 2). If you would like to see Part 2 "True Conversion – Making your Salvation Sure!" Go to: www.biblefood.blogspot.com or www.biblefood.org

Back to our normal format in this blog.

We are already at the beginning March! Only 3 weeks until “spring.” It has been a typical, cold winter in Kane, PA (and it isn’t over here yet), but surprisingly it has been cold across much of the USA (so much for global warming).

Lately my mind has been occupied mostly with moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ll be going down sometime late March (and Joyce will come with me or come down later). We still have a house to sell in PA, but won’t put that on the market until a little later in the Spring. As ministry is not able to support me at this time, I’m still looking for a church family or brother in Christ to give me a place to stay while I find a job and a house or apartment. Also, we need to discern where the Lord is leading to make our home church (often not listed as a high priority when people move, but a high priority for us). At this time, there are at least 3 churches we are looking into…I’m very pleased that we should be able to find a good Bible-believing church in the Charlotte area.

Besides everyday life, for the last few days I have been thinking a lot about memorizing scripture. I’m not the greatest at memorizing scriptures, but I have done it for the better part of almost 35 years. I do feel it is so important that we should do it throughout our lives. Yet, it takes a lot of discipline to keep at it, but it is necessary if we are to grow in Christ and glorify God. I have seen some people on the internet quote large passages from memory. I have known of others who have a vast amount of scripture memorized. I’m amazed that people can memorize so much of the scriptures. While I am amazed, I’m not impressed because if they are doing it and just getting head knowledge and not putting it deep into their hearts, what a shame. When you’re doing it for your own glory (saying "look at me") and not the Lord’s, it means nothing. I have personally known two people who knew vast amounts of scriptures, yet their spiritual lives had some major flaws. So showing off your ability to memorize large amounts of scripture does not impress me. On the other hand, if we do it from the right heart attitude (you might initially start with a wrong motive), then it will be very valuable to have God’s Word in our hearts. I always wonder hypothetically, what if we were stripped of our Bibles, how much would we be able to recall from our hearts? I hope the Bible hidden in my heart wouldn’t be too small. As Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid (stored - ESV) in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee". This year I’m changing some of my memorization methods and seeing how it goes.

One new tool I’m using is found at:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/
I’m excited about this new tool in my memorization of scriptures.
I also recommend the following 47-minute message by John Piper on
“Scripture Memorization” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOkLP6VHtWk

In the midst of packing, organizing and getting ready for the move to NC, I have made an effort to not neglect God’s Word and time spent in prayer. That is how we should live, that needs to be a way of life. As I hope to encourage all who read this, I ask for your prayers that I keep my focus and priorities on Him during this busy, transitional time in my life. I excitedly look forward to seeing God’s faithfulness as we move, in selling our home, and getting our ministry, finances, etc and lives settled in our new location (Charlotte, NC). Praise the LORD!