Trials of Glory

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) ⁶ So be truly glad.^[a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the beauty of the words of the Apostle Peter and recognize him as an absolute role model of faith.  His faith was so strong that Jesus gave him the name of Cephas, which in the Syriac language means “rock”.  The Apostle Paul referred to Peter as the “pillar” of the Church. Peter was imprisoned several times for his faith. On one occasion he spent nine months imprisoned in darkness and was subject to unspeakable torture. Despite the torture and his suffering, he converted his jailers and forty-seven others to the Christian faith. 

Our faith is tested and becomes purified through our trials. Peter speaks of how gold is purified by fire.  I like to think about how coal over time and stress from heat and pressure turns into graphite and graphite under extreme heat turns into a diamond. Our trials give God an opportunity to refine and purify us and change us from a lump of coal to a beautiful glistening diamond. 

At times it may be difficult to stay in faith, especially when we are in the midst of our trials and can’t see the positive outcome God has planned for us. I can think of many examples throughout my life when God has demonstrated his love for me through my trials and the valuable lessons he has taught me. No matter how long they last, our trials are a blessing from God as he shapes and molds us for some wonderful joy in our future.  Our scars become badges of glory and honor in his name.

God has given us the freedom of choice for how we walk through our trials. Will you choose to be like Peter; be a rock, firm in your faith?  I hope so, because if you do, I can attest that God will never let you down. 

1 Peter 1:24 (NLT) 24 

As the scriptures say;

“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. 

The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever”

”Nothing can stop the individual who firmly believes that the wind in his sails comes directly from God.”  Rex Rouis

Lean Into It

The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5: 3-10 (NIV)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These are the beatitudes or blessings taught by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount. These comforting words teach us about the virtues of humility and righteousness.    

As I read these blessings, I am struck with a simple yet powerful message from Jesus that helps to put life in perspective. This message is for all of us today, just as it was when Jesus walked the earth. 

This message is about the times when we are poor in spirit, upset and discouraged about our lives.  For the times when we mourn due to the loss of loved ones or relationships. For the times when we feel insecure and timid. For the times when we are treated unfairly. For the times when we feel like we can’t get a break and feel like no one cares. Blessed are those have struggles in life, but lean forward into it anyway with integrity and faith of better days ahead and knowing that Jesus walks right beside us.

We are taught to be merciful even when others are not merciful to us. We are taught to do what is right in our hearts, even though others may cheat and get a head of us in life. We are taught to be peacemakers, when there is turmoil all around us. Life is so much sweeter and will be filled with a great knowledge of purpose if only we lean into the storm knowing that as we are faithful in our trust in Him, God always has our back.  

Have a blessed day and live knowing that God loves you and that’s all that really matters. 

"Lean forward into your life. Begin each day as if it were on purpose." Mary Anne Radmacher

You Are A Work of Art!

Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT)

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 

2 You know when I sit down or stand up. 

3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

5 You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great to understand!

It’s difficult to imagine that God knows everything about us. He knows what we are going to ask in prayer before we ask it. He knows what we are going to do before we do it and knows how we will feel about it afterward.  He knows our every thought and every action of every second of every day.  He is omniscient!  Best of all, he know’s what is in our hearts and our intentions, despite the frailties of our flesh.  

He loves each one of us for who we are because we were created according to his plan. We are each a unique work of art, delicate and complex, created lovingly by the hands of God. There are no coincidences. We are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves or of this world.  Isn’t that awesome?!

Psalm 139:14-16 (NLT)

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.  15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

God gives us the freedom to make choices and he knows in advance the choices we plan to make.  So why doesn’t he stop us from making bad choices?  Honestly, I don’t know, but I believe and trust that it is part of his long term plan and purpose for our lives.  

I find it comforting to know that he is with me every second and will guide my path if I ask and I am mindful of his presence. God will influence our thoughts and choices to guide us to fulfill his perfect plan for us. We need only trust in Him. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for placing your hand of blessings on my head.  I am a work of art in progress; not a complete sculpture.  I trust that you will continue to shape me and mold me into a creation that is beautiful in your eyes and pleases you.  I seek answers to complex questions, for which you alone have the answers.  I put my trust in you and know that the answers will unfold like the blossoms of a rose, when I am able to understand. Thank you for creating me and for your unending love.

Amen. 

The Lords Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. 
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread, 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Sometimes, when I kneel to pray, I am lost for words. Jesus provided the Lord’s prayer to his disciples as guidance on how to pray, and today the Lord’s prayer is a part of every service and mass. 

I confess it is something that I was forced to memorize in Sunday school to be repeated endless times throughout my life. It is my fallback prayer that usually helps me get started. I find, however, that it has become a rote exercise and I don’t always actually think about what I am saying and the meaning behind the prayer. 

It is an incredibly beautiful and simple prayer when you think about it and it should be prayed with passion.  Here is what it means to me:

Our Holy Heavenly Father,
I pray that YOUR WILL be done on earth, as taught in your holy word - not that of Satan or the flesh
I pray that you provide us with our daily needs 
I pray that you forgive me for my sins and that I will be as gracious to forgive others of their sins against me. 
I pray that you guide my path daily so that I make the right choices and that you protect me from evil, illness and accidents.
You are the all knowing presence in my life, I trust that you are in control and have plans for me. 
I praise you Lord, and thank you and love you for ever and ever. 
Amen

May God bless you all today and everyday.