6.12- Fiery Trials

-
6.12-

Fiery Trials James 1:2-12 Bill Crowder

Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees.

Similarly, trials – pictured as fires in the Bible – are necessary for our spiritual health and growth (I Peter 1:7, 4:12). James wrote, “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 l:2-4).

It is in the season of trial that God’s purposes are often realized, for there the conditions are right for us to grow into spiritual maturity. This growth not only equips us for living, but it also enables us to more accurately reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.
In the hands of our Father, our trials can achieve His purposes for our good and for His honor. They can shape us into the likeness of His Son.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

6.10- The Power of Keeping a Confidence

-
 6.10- The Power of Keeping a Confidence I have a close friend who started listening to my confidential words 46 years ago. He guards his lips and preserves secrets and deep friendship. He does not speak rashly. He doesn't add shame to the bad things l have experienced. He reduces my burdens by his grace. He has good judgement regarding when to speak and when to remain silent. This gives him good long term friends and deep joy. Proverbs 13 3  A wise son  accepts his  father’s discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2  From the fruit of a person’s mouth he  [ a ] enjoys good, But the  [ b ] desire of the treacherous is violence. 3  One who guards his mouth protects his life; One who opens wide his lips  [ c ] comes to ruin. 4  The soul of the  [ d ] lazy one craves and  gets  nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made  [ e ] prosperous. 5  A righteous person hates a f...
Read more

9.7- The long prayers about not electing anyone who doesn't support babies in the womb

-
 9.7- The long prayers about not electing anyone who doesn't support babies in the womb but unwilling to support and educate them for the next 18 years. Save your political action prayers for the meeting with your win/lose political party, whether you are democrat, republican or independependent as far as I'm concerned. Preach and sing the gospel but leave moral slobbery for some group that doesn't abuse children and cover it up and practices racism as a normal thing. The teacher said don't strain out gnats and swallow camels. Stop bad religion please. Matthew 25 31  “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.   32  And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;   33  and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. 34  “Then the King...
Read more

8.16- Confidence is a good thing. A well trained Olympic athlete is very confident.

-
Image
 8.16- Confidence is a good thing. A well trained Olympic athlete is very confident. They train four years or longer for this moment on beam and fall down the beam or fall of the beam. They fly off and miss the uneven bars. Knowing they cannot win a medal. They have messed up and gone off the horse. What do they do? They get back on the horse. They finish their routine with a confident smile. They do not let that failure define them. Our life is not marked by a failure unless we allow it to be. The choice is ours. Bad day at work yesterday. Make today that much better. 2 Corinthians 4 7  But we have this treasure in  [ e ] earthen containers, so that the extraordinary  greatness  of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;   8  we are  afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;   9  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;   10  always carryi...
Read more