DIFFICULTIES=OPPORTUNITIES

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

1 Peter 1:7 (MSG)

These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.

Yesterday was a “why the trials” day. 

“Why this Pastor?”

“Why when I am getting clean Pastor is this going on?”

“Why will some of this not seem to go away Pastor?”

And while this is not a new topic for the DISPATCH and is covered territory, I thought it crucial to share that passage from 1 Peter in light of all of the angst and frustration surrounding yesterday.

Truth of the matter is JESUS didn’t promise smooth sailing or a “less than bumpy” ride down here.  He said we would experience TROUBLE. (John 16:33).  And don’t forget our choices have also landed us in a pickle or two wouldn’t you agree? The LORD said that would result in some “trying” and “refining” times as well.

Yet it is during these times that we LEARN just how MUCH GOD loves us. 

GOD loves us so much He wants to us to experience the BEST of us that He created.  And in order for us to “get there”, He allows some trial and yes even some brokenness in order to press us closer to HIM and to our DESTINY.

God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way! - Lucado

So as odd as it feels sometimes, we do NEED to THANK GOD for the TRIALS and the CORRECTIONS. It is a sign of ULTIMATE love!

Therefore…

…do not resent it when God chastens and corrects you, for his punishment is proof of his love. Just as a father punishes a son he delights in to make him better, so the Lord corrects you. – Proverbs 3:12 (MSG)

GOD can and will take our worst and often turn it into the BEST if we remember that!  Our job is to remember that! And no trial, no difficulty will be wasted if we see them as refinement and reproof and not punishment from our FATHER.

Lucado hits it right on the head. GOD loves us the way we are, he just doesn’t want to leave us that way. And like I have eluded, the trials we face are just the pathway to a more amazing hope and future possibility!

Therefore let’s not cower in the face of trials rather let’s EMBRACE them! Let’s learn from them! Let’s let those difficult times draw us closer to GOD’s love and let’s allow them to refine us and define us.

Let’s take it one step further!  Let’s rejoice in them!

Romans 5:3-5 (MSG)

We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

I know many of you are neck deep in some tough trials.  I know I am.

Let’s rejoice today!  For we are DEEPLY loved and BLESSED!

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

“Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty.” ― Thomas S. Monson

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

 

I love you all.

Have a GREAT DAY!

Freedom Church