April 28, 2020

Good Morning Saints,

When you respond to God’s grace and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are “born again” into the Kingdom of God. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in your spirit. At that time God begins the supernatural work of transforming you, His child, into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, who was and is perfect. As you mature in your faith, God uses tests and trials to develop your character and ministry. By responding to trials in the grace of God, you will experience spiritual growth by the power of God’s Spirit, which will be manifested in your life through the fruit of the Spirit.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (NIV)

Our response to the trials in our life makes all the difference.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul regarded these “tests” as opportunities to grow spiritually. Instead of despairing when he encountered trials, we choose to trust God and accept the grace He gives us, so Christ’s character will be formed in us.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10 (NIV)

I would like to share with you some ideas on how to respond to Hardship in a positive way.

Give Thanks

Sometimes being thankful in a difficult situation is one of most difficult things you can do. Yet, Scripture is very clear about this response.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:18 (NIV)

To be thankful rather than to complain takes a conscious act of the will. However, it is through our obedience to the word of God and more specifically to be thankful in all circumstances that God will transform us into the image of His son.

Rejoice

Along with giving thanks, we also are instructed to rejoice in all things.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Phil 4:4 (NIV)

Thanking God is an act of the will, but rejoicing is a response of the spirit. Therefore, it is possible to be sad and joyful at the same time. We cannot escape the pain of a difficult situation, but we can learn to rejoice in God Himself and in the good things God will do through our suffering.

When you experience a trial, choose by faith to put your trust in God. This choice will help you be more objective and consequently be more alert to the reasons why God may have allowed the trial to occur. As you deal with the difficulties, please remember the following truths.

• Gaining intimate knowledge of Christ exceeds the value of gaining more possessions.
• Developing stronger character is more important than getting your own way.
• Demonstrating self-control is more heroic than dominating your competitors.
• Eternal treasures are more valuable than earthly riches.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,

Pastor Dennis