On September 11 2001, volunteer Frank Silecchia sifted through the carnage at the World Trade Centre. He found 47 bodies but no survivors. But something did catch his attention - a cross standing upright against the dusty sunrise. The unmistakeable shape was made by steel beams from two different buildings. As they'd crashed into each other, the girders, forged together by the fire, had created a giant cross in the chaos.

When death or disease claims a loved one, or financial disaster wipes out our sense of security, we wonder, 'Where's God in all of this? Does he care?' We can handle almost anything as long as we know he's there.

When God introduced himself to Moses through a burning bush he said, 'I Am' (Exodus 3:14 GWT). This has not changed. He is still the same 'I Am'. Jesus said, 'Before Abraham was born, I Am' (John 8:58 NIV). He is 'the same yesterday, today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8 NLT). He still walks into the events of our lives: weddings, funerals, broken homes, hospital rooms, bankrupt businesses and jail cells, saying 'I Am - always with you.' Listen: '"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not..." says the Lord who has compassion on you' (Isaiah 54:10 NIV).

So what now? Going through a difficult, painful or confusing time at the moment? Look closer... see the cross... see 'I Am' standing right there with you. He's been there all along.

The Bible says, 'To everything there is a season...' (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV). We can't pray our life's seasons away. There are some situations we aren't meant to change - we're meant to go, and grow, through them! In winter, trees take advantage of the season to rebuild their strength underground and prepare to be fruitful next season. Then in spring they push their way back up again in the form of new growth.

Looking back over our life we'll find that it's seasonal. Growth comes, then struggle, and so on. Each season has its purpose. God has a reason for not wanting us to be productive all the time. When he lets wintry weather blow through our life he's getting us ready for spring.

James writes, 'My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing' (James 1:2-4 NKJV). One of the issues we'll struggle with in a winter waiting time is the urge to hurry or make spontaneous decisions. Let's not do it! Not every situation needs immediate action. Remember, patience comes from trust, and we can't trust a God we don't know.

So what now? The weather is warming up now, but you may be in a 'winter' season in an area of your life. Thank Jesus for patience to get you through it.

Shortly after Jesus died he appeared to two of his followers: 'sadness [was] written across their faces' (Luke 24:17 NLT). In fact they were in so much pain, they didn't even click it was Jesus! He'd risen from the dead, and even though they hadn't realised, he'd come to take their sorrow. How did he do this?

A quick prayer? Did he leap out a tree shouting 'Tadaaaa!!!!?' No. Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself' (Luke 24:27 NLT). He talked to them about God's word - the one thing that never fails! Did it make a difference? For those two it did: 'When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn't it warm our hearts' (Luke 24:32 CEV)?

Trying to live a Christian life without Scripture is like trying to run a car without petrol, work on an empty stomach or pay for the movies with a Farmers card: it just won't work. There are many things vying for our attention each day, most of them destructive or unhelpful. The Bible reminds us of what's true and important, and helps us to stay spiritually healthy.

So what now? Don't run your spiritual tank on empty. Take your daily medicine - read your Bible! It has all the nourishment you need for life. (And, ask the Holy Spirit to help you to see all its health benefits)

Fred and Betty were driving home from church. 'Fred, did you notice the sermon wasn't up to scratch today?' Fred replied, 'No, not really.' Betty continued, 'Well, did you notice that the worship was flat?' He responded, 'I didn't.' Undaunted, Betty continued, 'Well, you must have noticed that young family right in front of us. They ruined the whole service with their noise!' 'Sorry dear, I didn't notice'. In disgust Betty finally puffs, 'Honestly, Fred, I don't know why you even bother going to church!'

Why do some churchgoers think it's their job to judge the church? When Paul writes, 'Come out from them and be separate' (2 Corinthians 6:17 NIV), he's saying our faith should make us different - not negatively, but positively, different! Unless we commit ourselves to walking in the joy of the Lord, we will find negative ways of separating ourselves from non-believers.

Let's think about who we represent. Jesus calls himself 'the good shepherd' (John 10:11 NIV). 'Good'. His goodness is a powerful attracting force that wins people's hearts. Does that describe us? It should! Paul writes, 'Rejoice in the Lord always' (Philippians 4:4 NIV). When he wrote those words he was in prison with no chance of getting out! Happiness is an emotion, but joy is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5.22 NIV). And any time, anywhere, it is available to us.

So what now? Each morning get up and say, 'Today I will go out with joy, because God's word demands it and a hurting world needs it!'

True joy only comes to those who have devoted themselves to something bigger than their own happiness and personal interests. Nehemiah told the Israelites, 'Don't be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong' (Nehemiah 8:10 NCV). True joy always involves three things: (1) A conscious decision to focus every day on God's goodness; (2) Reaching out to bless others every chance we get; (3) Understanding that joy produces strength, which explains why our joy is so high on the devil's hit list. If we lose our joy, we lose our strength!

There are basically three kinds of people: (1) The joy-guilty: who believe we are not supposed to be happy and have fun because life is to be handled seriously. These people feel guilty about feeling good; (2) The joy-angry: who've been hurt by life and whose anger simmers just beneath the surface. If we let them, they will turn our sunshine to rain because our joy bothers them; (3) The joy-factory: producing joy everywhere they go. When we are around them, they breathe life into us.

If we are joy-guilty or joy-angry, let's spend some time with a joy factory. We'll find their joy has nothing to do with how easy their life has been, or how much money they have. More likely they have had a revelation about God that we need to get too.

So what now? Put 'seeking out true joy' very high up on your personal priority list and get your strength back.

Jesus said, 'Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not' (Matthew 6:27 NLT). Worry changes nothing. When was the last time we solved a problem by worrying about it? Imagine somebody saying, 'I got behind on my bills so I decided to worry my way out of debt. And you know, it worked!' We can't add one day to our life or one bit of life to our day by worrying; all worry will do is bring us wrinkles and grey hair!

Let's consider these two Scriptures: 'Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever' (Psalm 125:1 NIV); and 'You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you' (Isaiah 26:3 NIV). We don't get up in the morning and decide 'Today I'm going to doubt God' - but when we worry that's what we do.

Paul writes, 'His peace will guard your hearts and minds' (Philippians 4:7 NLT). Paul uses a military word here - guard. The Philippians lived under Roman occupation and were used to seeing the centurions guarding their town. What security! Before an enemy could get to them they first had to get past the rock-hard Roman guards. And, God gives us the same guarantee! His peace is not wishy washy - it is solid. Our heart and mind are completely safe if we'll let his peace stand guard.

So what now? Why don't you ask God for his peace to guard you right now?