"The trial of your faith" (1 Peter 1:7)

Faith untried may be true faith, but is sure to be little faith. It is likely to remain stunted as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers as well as when all things are against her. Tempests are her trainers, and lightenings are her illuminators. When calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship will not move to its harbor. But let the howling winds rush forth and rock the vessel until her deck is washed with waves and her mast sways under the pressure of the full and swelling sail. It is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven. No faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. You could not have believed your own weakness had you not been compelled to pas through the rivers. You would never have known God's strength had you not been supported amid the flood waters. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too. Do not let the is discourage those who are young in faith. you will have trials enough without seeking them. The full portion will be measured out to you in due season. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have. Praise Him for that degree of holy confidence that you have attained. Walk according to that rule, and you will have more and more of the blessing of God until your faith will remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.  -C.H. Spurgeon

Have you ever read something that just resonated in your soul? Reading "Morning & Evening" by Spurgeon for 11/12 did just that for me. I just want to take a moment and Praise God for the storms of life. For without the storms and the challenges I would not know His peace, comfort, grace, and encouragement. I don't know completely what God is up to in the lives of the Gibson's of Red Bean Drive - but this I do know.  We trust Him explicitly with our Lives. He has been faithful to a thousand generations - why would He fail us now?  

I just don't feel it today preacher...

It's time to gather and Worship. 

Don't feel like it? 

Check out Paul & Silas....

"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed." -Acts 16:23-26

You see it? Paul & Silas had been beaten. And yet - you see that after their severe beating, they found themselves worshiping. I doubt that they felt like worshiping, but they made a choice to overcome every negative force. There is purity in persecution. How many times do we let circumstances influence whether we feel like worshiping or not. Notice also that there was an earthquake that came - I would suggest that in our Christian life there must violent earthquakes (surprises, something we don't expect and don't want). But notice that the earthquake is what brought the freedom and change to the situation that Paul and Silas needed. And not only to Paul and Silas - but those surrounding them - all for the Gospels sake.

Now let's lift our voices and Praise the one who knows exactly where we are, and what we need. Thank you Jesus that nothing has surprised you - help me to receive your will for my life.