Fiery Trials

Dear Friend,

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Guaranteed tribulation! Not many of us would get excited over a promise like this. But Jesus did promise it; however He linked it along with another promise - one of victory through Him! Knowing that fiery trials are fierce, He let us know that even in the midst of them, we can have His peace. The strengthening benefits of turmoil are revealed even in our environment; His creation needs hardship to become strong. The buffeting from strong winds actually causes tree roots to grow deeper, stabilizing it for future storms. Some types of pine trees cannot reproduce unless their cones are exposed to the intense heat of a forest fire, opening them to release their seeds. Increased flowering occurs after a fire due to the warmth and changes in the soil and the removal of debris around the plant. God shows us spiritual lessons through His physical creation! Going through trials should draw us close to the comfort of God, straighten our priorities and help us focus on what is really important rather than cluttering our lives with bitterness or unforgiveness.

"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:44-45

Perhaps you are going through trying times that feel like a devastating fire. Are you asking God to put those flames out? Because of His mercy, He does not allow us to stagnate, but to journey through transforming situations! Pray for those who are against you or bring harm to you or your family. Be thankful in testing and persecution, which strengthens, as through it, God will bring new life to you!

There are unwelcome moments of life you and I wish we could escape. In fact, that may describe your life today! When these trials come, how do you respond when the hurt is real or when you feel that the walls are closing in? How do you respond when things happen totally outside of your control? LEADING THE WAY's Dr. Michael Youssef offers some sound Biblical direction and some words of encouragement. "The Blessings of Trials: How God Uses Trials in Your Life for Your Good".

The steady, virulent progress of the malignant brain tumor gave real urgency to these questions for David. He wanted to know - he needed to know - if this painful death was really from God's hand. He needed to trust God, but how could he? The short book of Hebrews was most likely originally a series of short sermons written for people tempted to give up their faith in the face of great hardship. Dr. Charles and Sharon Betters of IN HIS GRIP show how to cultivate the kind of faith we need during times of trials. "Is God Sovereign? Can I Trust Him?"

Sometimes we will whine a little about how hard it is to be a Christian. But maybe we need to stop for a moment and consider our experience in comparison to that of Polycarp's, the A.D. 155 pastor of the church in Smyrna. Perhaps then we will understand what persecution really is. Jesus said, "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). If you are living a godly life, then you will be persecuted in some way, shape or form. But persecution can actually help you grow stronger spiritually. Greg Laurie of A NEW BEGINNING reminds us of two very important things pertaining to "The Promise of Persecution."

If you've been a parent for any time at all, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that your child came into the world with an insatiable faculty for evil. Even before birth, your baby's little heart was already programmed for sin and selfishness. GRACE TO YOU's John MacArthur explains more about "Your Child's Greatest Need."

May the Lord richly bless you!
The Oneplace.com Team
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