Quote from Forum Archives on September 11, 2002, 1:52 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

As we enter into a new work week, I would just like to encourage
each of you to read your Bibles every day and take at least some
time to pray. It'd be terrific and ideal if each of you took
enough time, importance, and priority in your life to make Christ
first, and to do these things, even ahead of the urgent matters
in your life (or the things that interrupt our thoughts and
activities). But I struggle, and I know how difficult that can
be.

That's one reason that I try to balance the things that I send
out to you, with the hope that if you have no other plan or
regular activity in place, you can use these messages, at least
as a place to start.

Put Christ ahead of reading this stuff, though, would you please?
It is my greatest yearning to know Christ in all of His fullness,
therefore I try to share my own experiences and the mature
counsel of others. I have no interest in promoting myself, my
interest is that each of you would realize that Christ holds
every answer to life's issues. He brings contentment and peace
to us when we yield to His ways.

This week, to start things off, I offer you a short message from
Neil Anderson that helps to put our daily struggles into God's
perspective. I agree with Neil. I believe that God uses the
events of our lives to draw us back to Christ. Will you accept
Christ's invitation to seek Him today, even if it's presented to
you from a lowly human being who faces the same issues that you
face? I'll tell you one thing I konw: My hope is not in the
Internet or in some great job or in some great church. My hope
is in Christ, and Christ alone.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

September 9, 2002

PERSEVERING TRIBULATIONS

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance
(James 1:2, 3).

There certainly are a lot of distractions, diversions,
disappointments, trials, temptations and traumas which come along
to disrupt the process of becoming the person God wants you to
be. Every day you struggle against the world, the flesh and the
devil, each of which are opposed to your success at being God's
person.

But Paul reminds us that the tribulations we face are actually a
means of achieving our supreme goal of maturity: "We also exult
in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about
perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven
character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy
Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:3-5). James offers similar
encouragement: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James
1:2-4).

Maybe you thought your goal as a Christian was to escape
tribulations. But God's goal for you is maturity in Christ,
becoming the person He designed you to be. And tribulation just
happens to be one of the primary stepping-stones on the pathway.
That's why Paul says we exult--meaning to express heightened
joy--in our tribulations. Why? Because persevering tribulations
is the doorway to proven character, which is God's goal for us.

Our hope lies in proven character, not in favorable circumstances
nor in the manipulation of others. Neither circumstances nor
people can keep you from being what God wants you to be. Trials
and tribulations are the most common means for bringing about His
goal for your life.

Lord, help me see my trials as stepping-stones, not obstacles.
Give me grace to persevere and develop proven character.

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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