GET TOGETHER- TRIALS LEAD TO GROWTH
1Pe 4:12 ¶ Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. (NKJV)
I will never forget February 11th, 1996. The call came early in the morning that my Daddy had just had a heart attack. Things appeared to be going so perfect. I was in my last Semester at Birmingham Southern College. We were going to be leaving the family business in June to assume our first Pastorate at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hamilton, Alabama. The Lord had lined up everyone of my classes so that I could graduate when I did, and I was thinking wow when you say yes to the call of God everything will always be perfect.
That morning I expressed my disappointment and lack of understanding to the Lord as I knelt beside our bed, before I left to go to my Mother and Daddy’s house. When I got there, they were loading Daddy up in the ambulance to take him to Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, Alabama.
While we were in the CCU waiting room. I pulled out a small pocket copy of the Psalms, and the New Testament. When I opened it, I opened it to 1Pe 4:12 ¶ “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” I am not one of these people that believes that God causes bad things to happen to people so that he can teach us a lesson. I do believe that we live in a fallen world and that those demonic forces of evil are at work to kill, steal, and destroy. I also believe that what the enemy means for bad that God can work for good. Eph 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. So therefore, there are certain things that God allows in His permissive will that will help us to grow.
One thing that we can rejoice in when we go through a fiery trial is that we are loved by God. And not only are we loved by God, but we are loved by God’s people. The Greek term for fiery trial is purosis, poo’-ro-sis. It means to burn, or to experience painful suffering. You may be experiencing some painful suffering right now. When I look back on that day and how God has used that day over the past twenty-two years I can honestly say that I have seen God truly do what he says that He will do in Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (NKJV)
Our most effective ministry often comes out of our life experience. Whether it be the good, the bad, or the ugly. God doesn’t waste any of our challenges, hurts, disappointments, or any part of our lives. Today you may be going through a fiery trial. There may be someone you love that is on drugs. There may have been a recent family break up. There could have been an unexpected death, or another adverse situation, or circumstance. You may really be feeling the heat of life and it appears that Hell has been saving its best shots to throw at you. Stand on God’s word. Believe that He is going to work it for your good and for His glory.
By standing on God’s faithfulness and His word you will come out a stronger person in the faith than you were before. Peter also had these words to say as well concerning the trials that we go through. 1Pe 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus we thank you that You are with us when the heat gets really turned up. We thank You that in You the fiery trials, don’t destroy us, but make us stronger. Continually fill us with the Holy Spirit so that others can see the difference in walking through the fire with You than those who have to walk through a fire without You. Help us to help others to walk through that fire as well.
In Jesus Name
Amen
RERELEASE IN A FEW WEEKS
THE REAL PARTY IS AT DADDY’S HOUSE
This is the first book that I wrote based on Luke Chapter 15. There will be more information in the upcoming weeks.
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
