Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12, 13.
The followers of Christ know little of the plots which Satan and his hosts are forming against them. But He who sitteth in the heavens will overrule all these devices for the accomplishment of His deep designs. The Lord permits His people to be subjected to the fiery ordeal of temptation, not because He takes pleasure in their distress and affliction, but because this process is essential to their final victory.
By God’s mighty cleaver of truth we have been taken from the quarry of the world and brought into the workshop of the Lord to be prepared for a place in His temple. In this work the hammer and chisel must act their part, and then comes the polishing. Rebel not under this process of grace. You may be a rough stone, on which much work must be done before you are prepared for the place God designs you to fill. You need not be surprised if with the hammer and the chisel of trial God cuts away your defects of character. He alone can accomplish this work. And be assured that He will not strike one useless blow.
God has shown me that He gave His people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them…. This bitter cup can be sweetened by patience, endurance, and prayer, and … it will have its designed effect upon the hearts of those who thus receive it, and God will be honored and glorified. It is no small thing to be a Christian and to be owned and approved of God.
His grace is sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation and through His grace come off victorious. We must have on the whole armor of God and be ready at any moment for a conflict with the powers of darkness.
The Faith I Live By p. 317
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for me I am so sick with gallbladder pain. Connie
—-Please add Norman to your prayer list. Fell from a 27ft scaffolding and a tree landed on him. Laid there 2 hours before help arrived. Please pray for salvation and healing. Pray for strength and courage for his family. Edmond
—-My friend Anica has a 44 year old son with wife and two children 9 and 11. He had a hemorrhagic stroke 2 days ago. Left side paralysis with continued bleeding. Please pray for Eddy who is having surgery today, and for his family! Craig
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Dear Friends,
In the mid 1800’s, my grandmother’s parents, Jenny Buell and Fredrick Phillips were married. Jenny’s thoughts were filled were love and hope for the future, for he had promised love her always and give her a happy and wonderful life. His thoughts, however, were far different. He considered Jenny just another conquest and went on to others.
Marriage to Fred was not quite what Jenny expected, for she realized he was cheating on her, but she swallowed her disappointment and settled into the routine of being a wife and mother in those difficult times. As children began to be born, she like Leah so many year before thought, “Now will my husband love me and we can be a happy family.” (Gen 29:34)
Sadly, her husband became even more discontent. His desire for young women became stronger. He travelled in his work and began to be away from home more and more, yet he rarely sent any money. Jenny had to find work to support herself and her growing family. When he would return home, her hopes for a happy life would return, yet his visits were just long enough to add another child. He had promised her so much, but delivered only heartache and extreme poverty.
Just as Fred promised Jenny wonderful things, so the enemy of souls allures us with promises geared according to our own desires. In the end, those empty promises “are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12 Peter warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 The evil one places in front of us beautiful promises, just as he did to Eve, and the result is the same—“for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen 2:17
For some, the trap might be the love of fame and fortune; for another, “wine, women, and song;” still another might fall into the trap of worldly music or sports; another is trapped by unbelieving friends or family; many he keeps so busy that they put off accepting the gift of salvation that our Dear Saviour so freely offers. The adversary tailors his snares to fit the person. Without realizing our danger, we are “taken captive at his will.” 2 Tim 2:26
Praise God, He has promised a way of escape! (1 Cor 10:13) The Way, the Truth, and the Life is our only hope. (John 14:6) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Rom 5:8, 9 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 3:16-18
Think of it! Our Great Creator, the King of the Universe, could not enjoy the splendors of Heaven while we had the sentence of death upon us. His Great Heart of love yearned to rescue us from the evil one’s grasp. The Father and the Son implemented the plan that “was foreordained before the foundation of the world” 1 Peter 1:20 Paul explains, “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Gal 4:4-7 Through our Great Redeemer’s sacrifice, we no longer have to be under the sentence of death. We can receive pardon from the One Who loves us with an everlasting love and draws us to Himself through His loving kindness. (Jer 31:3)
May we always recognize and turn away from the temptations and snares that the evil one continually lays for our feet. May we accept the free gift of salvation that was purchased at so great a price. May we obey all His commandments, not to be saved for that it cannot do; but from a heart filled with love for the One Who loves us so.
Rose
Testing Our Mettle