2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
This verse reminds me of the Daniel story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego from Daniel 3. The king's governors and advisers did not like that the Hebrews would not worship their gods. So, they tricked the king into setting up a new law that forced the people to bow down to false gods. These three Hebrews were workers in the king's court and were liked by the king...but the law is the law and they were forced to comply. They were facing a trial and a testing of their faith. They refused again and the king declared he would throw them into the fire...literally an oven and cook them. They responded with perseverance, maturity, and wisdom...Daniel 3:17-18 is the record of their response, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Bearing more fruit requires courage to face the trials and it requires our willingness to submit to God's authority. God is generous in giving wisdom and it will usually comes with a fiery furnace...the great part of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's response is their willingness to persevere even if God does not save them. That is true fruit...therefore, we persevere through our trials and testing with simple faith that God is faithful and will provide...He always does! He also tags along for the ride...if you read on in the Daniel story ...the King looks in the fire and sees four people in the fire and the fourth person looks like the Son of God.
Dear Lord, please give me the faith to be strong when the trials of life and the testing of this world head my direction. I want to bare more fruit for you. May I always be found faithful and steadfast so that you might receive the glory. Amen.
check out....http://www.parkchapel.org/thevine
You know I love ya - Don (P.S. - thanks for all the birthday wishes...)
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