Saturday, December 28, 2024

THE JOY OF TRIALS

Photo courtesy of pixabay and marcisim.

Sandi Arenburg-

"In the late 1980s, scientists attempted to duplicate the earth’s ecosystem in a closed environment called Biosphere 2. While the project failed, researchers did learn a valuable lesson about trees.

Trees in the biosphere grew fast, but before they could mature, they collapsed. Studies later revealed that their demise resulted from a lack of wind. The wind keeps a tree moving continuously, and this constant stress causes the roots to grow deeper and bigger, thus making the tree stronger. Since the trees in Biosphere 2 never experienced wind, their peaceful environment made them too weak to survive.

In the same way, the stress of trials cultivates spiritual perseverance in us. Trials are inevitable and often painful, but they have a purpose. They refine our faith, develop our endurance, and mature us spiritually. Trials strengthen our faith roots and help us survive life’s challenges—whether we suffer the loss of a job, a frightening diagnosis, or the death of a loved one. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."James 1:2–4 NIV

James maintains our response to trials determines if we will experience spiritual growth. To become “mature and complete,” we must respond joyfully. This doesn’t mean we have to paint on a happy face and swallow our pain. Instead, we can anticipate what our good God will do for us through the trials. We choose to grow bitter or better, to lose hope or gain faith. Our perspective makes all the difference in our journey toward becoming like Christ.

Remember to lean into God’s grace instead of grumbling and complaining when trials come your way. Trust that He will work all things together for your good and His glory. Face your trials positively, knowing God’s grace will sustain you. God will use your trials to develop you into a stronger and more mature Christian."


Let's pray-

     Father, researchers learned a valuable lesson, that even trees needed to undergo some resistance to become strong. Though the trees in the biosphere grew fast, they didn't have any stress that caused the roots to grow deeper and bigger, making them strong, so they just fell over.
   In the same way, stress of trials cultivates spiritual perseverance in us. Though the trials are unevitable and often painful, they have a purpose that refines our faith, develops our endurance and matures us spiritually.   
   When we experience spiritual growth, we become mature and complete in Christ. We can anticipate what our good God will do for us through the trials, and choose to keep from becoming bitter. Our perspective makes all the difference in our journey toward becoming like Christ.
   May we remember to lean into God's grace in times of trouble, letting our good and His glory develop us into a stronger and more mature Christian.
   We pray this in the Mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
 

#66 Quote Wesley L. Duewel

   "The name of Jesus, when we are sure we are praying in accordance with God's holy will, gives us confidence in prayer, authority in prayer, and special boldness in spiritual battles. The name of Jesus should help draw us into the close unity needed in the prayer of agreement, and should be our spiritual missile to blast Satan's hindrances and blockades. There is power and authority in the name of Jesus."


1256-1260 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 
1256- Ps. 119:47 "I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved."
1257- Song of Solomon 1:4b "We will be glad and rejoice in thee."
1258- Is. 42:8a "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to                          another."
1259- Ps. 40:1 "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my            cry."
1260- Job 17:3b "Who is he that will strike hands with me?"


 #66  Hymn- Take My Life and Let it Be

 
  The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. MorganTHEN SINGS MY SOUL  

   "Although hymnist Frances Havergal, 36, had served the Lord for years, she felt something was missing in her Christian experience. Then one day in 1873, she received a little book called, "All for Jesus," which stressed the importance of making Christ the King of every corner and cubicle of one's life. Soon thereafter, she made a fresh and complete consecration of herself to Christ.
   Not long afterward, she found herself spending several days with ten people in a house, some of them unconverted. Before she left, all ten were yielded Christians. On the last night of her visit, Fances—wrote this great consecration hymn, Take My Life and Let it Be."


A word of Encouragement:

   "A wire attached to a mighty generator is as nothing, but attached to that dynamo 
of power it is the only hope of power, light, heat, and all the benefits of electricity being available to many people. Even so, you are nothing, but in Christ, in the name of Jesus, you are God's chosen means to bless the world." [Quote from pg. 282 of MIGHTY PREVAILING PRAYER, by Wesley L. Duewel]

A Word from Nancy Demary- Great advice for us all to heed! Prayer to Begin Your Day  


Church notes:

  We are to be available to be used by the Lord. He has a purpose for each of us, and if we'll listen to His Holy Spirit, He will make His plan clear over time. We're saved to be raised up, empowered and seated with Christ in the place of victory. As His long-ranged vision is to equip His church, we're to lean into Him for vision that benefits the Church.    We're to build up the Church by building up each other with our spiritual gifts of wisdom, faith, prophecy, tongues and word of knowledge He gives. The gift of faith can move the mountains that come against this. Let's reach out to something bigger; God's working by supernatural anointing!

Upcoming posts:

1/4th- WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (Second half) Joyce Meyer
11th-  SEARCH ME O GOD- Lois J. Stucky
18th-  WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD- Janice Conley


The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 



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