“Our Daily Bread”   

http://odb.org/2012/09/17/correct-them/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                  

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht

1 Peter 1:7… 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,  (NKJV

When a Christian can be severely tested by a trial God puts them through, and still has peace in their hearts; even though their world is crumbling around them…this to me is an indication that their faith is genuine, just like the opening scripture reveals…

Take a death in our family, as an example…  My niece Jen is now in glory with the Lord for just over 2 years now… She died of cancer at the age of only 39…  And through this very trying time for my Lil Sis Sharon, as well as the rest of my family, there were very few tears…  This is because we all knew Jen was in no more pain (Revelation 21:4) and in a better place with our Father in heaven… This ability to have absolute peace, even through the loss of a loved one like my niece, is only possible by the strength given to the believer by the Holy Spirit… This is the epitome of supernatural God given peace, which goes beyond our mortal understanding… The apostle Paul tells us this, in…

Philippians 4:6-7… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (NKJV)

The apostle James has this to say about Christians going through trials, in…James 1:2-4… My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  (NKJV)

There was “joy” at the gathering our family and Jen’s church friends had, to celebrate the death of our sweet Jen… But this joy was only truly felt by those who had saving faith in Christ… There is no other way to be able to see “joy” through the loss of a loved one… And this joy truly brought “glory” and “honor” and “praise” to Christ Himself; as non-believers looked on in awe, as they saw the true joy in Jen’s Christian family and friends, through this most trying of times…

So if you’re a Christian, remember that God gives us trials to test our faith…  Don’t fail His test by ranting, and raving, and swearing; and maybe even questioning God as to why He did what He did…  God knows best ALL  of the time…  If you fail any trial God puts before you, you are not bringing the “glory” and “honor” and “praise” to the Lord that He so richly deserves… You are caving in to how the world sees trials…and are in no way showing “the genuineness of your faith”…

Heavenly Father, I pray that the testimony of my family to be able to show “joy” through the death of our sweet Jen…will be used by You to show the absolute power that the Holy Spirit can and will bring into the lives of those who put their faith and trust in Your Son Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior… I thank You and praise You now for who You are…in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…    

written by bruce r mills