WEEK THREE - JOY

By Grady & Clint Handfield • Honduras SoloHope Mission Trip

Refined Joy

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James 1:2–4

“Consider it great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."

The backdrop of the very first Advent was not a cozy fire in a warm home, with a big family all sitting around with full bellies, happy hearts, and smiling faces. It was a feeding trough in a barn full of dirty animals—the only place available in a man’s hometown. Surely, God’s people should be getting the best life has to offer, right? Yet Mary and Joseph experienced the first Christmas in a place and situation they would never have chosen. Maybe you’re in a place or situation you would not have chosen either.

This passage reminds us that trials are often disguised blessings in our lives to refine our faith. As followers of Jesus, we can know that this is an amazing truth and we can actually have joy. The promise is that if we have faith in Jesus and joy in God, we will be “complete, lacking nothing”. This means whole and perfect in the Lord’s eyes.

We can truly know that hardships in life can be good. We can have joy through them because God is refining our hearts and removing the impurities that compete for space in our thing hearts. The tests can be a good

because they show that God cares deeply for us. He wants to help us along on a journey with Him rather than making us instantly “perfect”-mature.

Jesus wants you to have a trust in Him that is deep, sincere, and enduring. Take a moment to ask Him for it: Jesus, help me to have a trust that faces hardship head-on, that clings to Your faithfulness, and that produces endurance, faith, and love that will last.

In the midst of the difficult circumstances surrounding the first Christmas, the glory of God was on display, and people had Good News to share with the world. In the same way, a joy refined by your trials puts God’s glory on display and gives you a story of Good News to share. So, by the grace of Jesus, thank God even for the tough times—He is forming in you a confident faith, complete and lacking nothing.

PRAYER:

Lord, especially during this Advent season, I ask for your grace in difficult times. Help me to approach them as an opportunity to be shaped by you and to display Your glory. Thank you that you use all things for my good and for Your glory. Amen.

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Our goal for the student mission team is to come underneath the leadership of SoloHope to continue building relationships within the Honduran community of Guanacaste. The overall vision is to cultivate a generation of students who are informed, compassionate, and actively involved in global missions and local service, reflecting Christ’s love and message through their actions.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

Pray…that He would continue to open hearts in Honduras, and the special community of Guanacaste. And that he would begin to impress upon families’ hearts to partner with their children and youth for the sake of the gospel in Honduras as well as their own hearts.

Go…We aim to take at least one student trip per year. The goal is to take families, adults with their children and/youth, that currently and faithfully serve within Heritage. We want to honor their current commitment to serving the body while expanding their vision of serving globally.

Give…Heritage is faithful in supporting the team project efforts. However, families are very blessed when others give to help cover their travel expenses.

Contact info:

Clint Handfield (229)589-2805

Crysti Handfield (229)589-2803

solohopehonduras.org