My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Why does God allow us to go through trials? Come on-is there anyone that thinks that this is fair?
Well, fair, or not-God does have a master plan for your life and mine. He allows us to be tested to see how we do during a trial. Do we look to Jesus to take us by the hand and lead us through, or do we try and get through on our own? Do we pray and seek God, or do we listen to the wisdom of man? Do we take a step back and let God move, or do we move in the flesh? These are things that happen to all believers during trials.
What type of trial are you going through? Is it a sickness? Financial? Family-related? Marriage? Is it a trial of faith (or lack of)? Job-related? Are you dealing with certain sin issues? These are just some of the trials of daily life for a believer in The Lord, Jesus Christ.
God uses these trials to REFINE us. I've always likes the silversmith analogy, where the silversmith (God) turns up the heat high enough to get all the impurities to rise to the top, where they are removed. Only when the silversmith (God) can see Himself, is the silver properly refined.
Does God see Himself in us as we go through these trials-or does God see our flesh? Listen-I know from personal experience that it's rough when you are in the midst of a trial, but as always-when I turn my eyes on Jesus, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can see the finish line. I can see Jesus reaching out His hand to take me down the path and through the trial.
If you trust in Jesus, He will give you peace in a trial. If you trust in Jesus, He can give you joy in a trial. If you trust in Jesus, and surrender the trial to Him, He will draw you closer to Him. Jesus can speak to you as you dive deeper into The Word of God. Jesus will allow you to hear His Voice. Jesus will allow you to feel His presence during your time of testing.
You may be asking-what does all this accomplish? There is opportunity in a trial to be used by God. God WILL use your experience as a testimony, and ultimately this will glorify Him! You may be used to encourage other brothers & sisters going through their own trials. You may be used by God to speak about Jesus in the life of un un-believer. The ultimate purpose, however is the God WILL be glorified!
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Why does God allow us to go through trials? Come on-is there anyone that thinks that this is fair?
Well, fair, or not-God does have a master plan for your life and mine. He allows us to be tested to see how we do during a trial. Do we look to Jesus to take us by the hand and lead us through, or do we try and get through on our own? Do we pray and seek God, or do we listen to the wisdom of man? Do we take a step back and let God move, or do we move in the flesh? These are things that happen to all believers during trials.
What type of trial are you going through? Is it a sickness? Financial? Family-related? Marriage? Is it a trial of faith (or lack of)? Job-related? Are you dealing with certain sin issues? These are just some of the trials of daily life for a believer in The Lord, Jesus Christ.
God uses these trials to REFINE us. I've always likes the silversmith analogy, where the silversmith (God) turns up the heat high enough to get all the impurities to rise to the top, where they are removed. Only when the silversmith (God) can see Himself, is the silver properly refined.
Does God see Himself in us as we go through these trials-or does God see our flesh? Listen-I know from personal experience that it's rough when you are in the midst of a trial, but as always-when I turn my eyes on Jesus, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can see the finish line. I can see Jesus reaching out His hand to take me down the path and through the trial.
If you trust in Jesus, He will give you peace in a trial. If you trust in Jesus, He can give you joy in a trial. If you trust in Jesus, and surrender the trial to Him, He will draw you closer to Him. Jesus can speak to you as you dive deeper into The Word of God. Jesus will allow you to hear His Voice. Jesus will allow you to feel His presence during your time of testing.
You may be asking-what does all this accomplish? There is opportunity in a trial to be used by God. God WILL use your experience as a testimony, and ultimately this will glorify Him! You may be used to encourage other brothers & sisters going through their own trials. You may be used by God to speak about Jesus in the life of un un-believer. The ultimate purpose, however is the God WILL be glorified!
Let me encourage you now.
When you're going through a trial, who is there walking beside you?-JESUS !
When the heat of your trial is so unbearable, who can make it bearable?-JESUS!
Who is the other person, the Son of Man -in the fiery furnace with you?-JESUS!
Who can make it so that even the fiery furnace, once you pass through-you won't be burned, and your clothes will not even smell of smoke? JESUS!
Who WILL be glorified in these trials? JESUS!
Brothers & Sisters-please enjoy the words to this MercyMe song called "Hold Fast". I believe that this will bless you, especially if you are going through a trial.
Hold Fast - by MercyMe
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast Help is on the way
Hold fast He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast
Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope
You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes
To Jesus be ALL the Glory,
Ira
1 comment:
I couldn't help but notice some of your links. BTW who is the covering for passiton.net? Do they have a church that sponsors their ministry, or are they accountable to no one? I know, they are accountable to God, yeah, but we also need to have a church covering.
Post a Comment