December 20, 2014 BETTER THAN GOLD
1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Nobody said it was going to be easy, right? We have heard statements like; “give your life to Jesus and everything will be wonderful.” If you have lived very long at all, you have learned, or you are learning, that being a Christian does not guarantee a life free of trials. If one begins his Christian journey believing that all will be rosy now that he or she is a Christian, is set up for disappointment and confusion. Trials come in all shapes and sizes and severity but we must remember in the midst of the trials that God has purpose in in the trials we face and this is where faith comes in. Peter says that the “proof of our faith” is more precious than gold and when we begin to believe this in our innermost being, we can indeed rejoice. It’s not that we should pray for trials to come our way and God does not expect us to “enjoy” the trials, but we can rejoice in the fruit that the trial produces, a faith proven to be healthy and strong, a faith that stood the test of fire-this is what God is after. Another blessing of rejoicing in the midst of trials is that it will bring praise and glory and honor to Jesus when he returns for His bride. It is a blessing to our Father when those who have not seen Him, love Him and believe Him, and by loving Him and believing Him we “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your (our) faith, the salvation of our souls.” It is health to our souls to rejoice and to love God and to believe God! The truth is that we cannot help but rejoice when we come to really know Him. If for some reason we find ourselves not rejoicing in our spirit, something is broken in us and we need to ask God to show us what is hindering the rejoicing that comes just by knowing Him. Our Father is a God of joy, a God who rejoices, a God who is good, a God who gives life, a God who forgives, a God who comes to our aid, a God who gives a second chance and a God who loves us personally! Yes, we will face trials, but we must remember that their days are numbered! In God’s timing, He will bind up the enemy that is behind the trials and He will wipe away every tear and we will reign with Him forever. Our life, our journey here on earth is all about preparation for reigning with Him, about learning how to be an overcomer in enemy territory. (The earth belongs to the Lord, but he is allowing Satan to roam about for a season and He is using Satan for His purposes.) Trials can be difficult and can bring much hurt and we are not expected to take trials as if they were not burdensome. In the trial, our posture is to be that of having a vibrant faith-trusting God- and also that of learning whatever we may need to learn in the midst of the trial. It is possible that some trials may come as a result of personal sin or wrong choices we make, while some of the trials are not a result of sin or wrong choices. No matter the origin of the trial, God will use it for good and for His glory if we respond in a way that pleases Him. Let us be reminded that God is reigning and everything that happens around us, God promises to use it for good to those who follow in His ways. When He returns, may we be found with a faith that has been proven.
James 1:12: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who live Him.”
1 Peter 4:19: “Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
Blessings,
Buddy
1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Nobody said it was going to be easy, right? We have heard statements like; “give your life to Jesus and everything will be wonderful.” If you have lived very long at all, you have learned, or you are learning, that being a Christian does not guarantee a life free of trials. If one begins his Christian journey believing that all will be rosy now that he or she is a Christian, is set up for disappointment and confusion. Trials come in all shapes and sizes and severity but we must remember in the midst of the trials that God has purpose in in the trials we face and this is where faith comes in. Peter says that the “proof of our faith” is more precious than gold and when we begin to believe this in our innermost being, we can indeed rejoice. It’s not that we should pray for trials to come our way and God does not expect us to “enjoy” the trials, but we can rejoice in the fruit that the trial produces, a faith proven to be healthy and strong, a faith that stood the test of fire-this is what God is after. Another blessing of rejoicing in the midst of trials is that it will bring praise and glory and honor to Jesus when he returns for His bride. It is a blessing to our Father when those who have not seen Him, love Him and believe Him, and by loving Him and believing Him we “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your (our) faith, the salvation of our souls.” It is health to our souls to rejoice and to love God and to believe God! The truth is that we cannot help but rejoice when we come to really know Him. If for some reason we find ourselves not rejoicing in our spirit, something is broken in us and we need to ask God to show us what is hindering the rejoicing that comes just by knowing Him. Our Father is a God of joy, a God who rejoices, a God who is good, a God who gives life, a God who forgives, a God who comes to our aid, a God who gives a second chance and a God who loves us personally! Yes, we will face trials, but we must remember that their days are numbered! In God’s timing, He will bind up the enemy that is behind the trials and He will wipe away every tear and we will reign with Him forever. Our life, our journey here on earth is all about preparation for reigning with Him, about learning how to be an overcomer in enemy territory. (The earth belongs to the Lord, but he is allowing Satan to roam about for a season and He is using Satan for His purposes.) Trials can be difficult and can bring much hurt and we are not expected to take trials as if they were not burdensome. In the trial, our posture is to be that of having a vibrant faith-trusting God- and also that of learning whatever we may need to learn in the midst of the trial. It is possible that some trials may come as a result of personal sin or wrong choices we make, while some of the trials are not a result of sin or wrong choices. No matter the origin of the trial, God will use it for good and for His glory if we respond in a way that pleases Him. Let us be reminded that God is reigning and everything that happens around us, God promises to use it for good to those who follow in His ways. When He returns, may we be found with a faith that has been proven.
James 1:12: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who live Him.”
1 Peter 4:19: “Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed