Thursday, July 9, 2009
Spiritual Growth Question for Us To Think About
Vance Havner, an incredible preacher and expositor of Scripture once said, "the world is not our home, and we lament its sin-wrecked condition, riddled with disease and death and distress. But for the growing of Christian character, it is a proper training ground". To help each of us, add some of your own personal comments on the following questions: 1) How can the trials that we face in life serve as a good training ground for Spiritual growth?, and 2) What are some personal ways you have learned to grow through your own personal trials?
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In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul makes this comment in 4th chapter and the 11th verse: "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances". Considering that while writing the majority of his letters, Paul was in prison, this is an incredible statement. I firmly believe that Paul's contentment in his circumstances came with his commitment to Christ. It's in these tough times in life that we can do one of two things: We can throw up our hands and quit, or we can dig in and grow. When we dig in, we find strength, perseverance, and most importantly, the loving hands of a Savior who is there for us, with us in each circumstance. Had Paul of relied on himself in the dark moments of his life, he would have went crazy chained to the inner wall of a musty cell. So Paul relied on Christ, and looked at every circumstance as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ, and to share of His great love. We can do the same!
ReplyDeleteThe trials of life serve as a good training ground for Followers of Christ only if we react from a Biblical understanding of life. One of the key verses for this in found in Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." This verse doesn't say, "that all things are good"; friend cancer is evil, but it does say that God can make all the events of life work together for His glory. While we see only the under side of the Persian rug in all it's confusion, God sees the finished product on the upper side, the side that is beautiful. We must learn as Paul taught us in Philippians 4...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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Thomas. You are exactly right. To say that all things are good would be crazy. To say that we serve an all powerful Lord who can take even the worst of situations, and use it to bring Him glory both speaks to His mighty power, and His incredible compassion. And through it all, the Lord is there guiding us and strengthening us along the way.
ReplyDeleteGod promised us that he would always be with us and we would never have to face a trial alone. And that with him all things are possible. In James 1:2-6 2Consider it a pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that at the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. If you keep the faith during your life trials and turn your face to God and put it all in his hands, then he will give you the knowledge and wisdom to see you through it. About a little over a year ago now I was going through some troubled times in my life. And instead of turning it all over to God I turned to the things of this world for answers. And I think it was then that my beautiful loving wife was praying the hardest for me. When I turned back to God is when me life turned back around. In this scripture we are told to get joy out of our trials. But the joy comes from knowing that God is in complete control of everything going on in our lives. And with this he is giving us both endurance and patience to face the trials and grow spiritually with him.
ReplyDeleteWell said Sam. If we could resolve our lives to the simple truth that God is in complete control, wow how much stress could be avoided. Thanks for the comments, and keep em coming.
ReplyDeleteI was visiting one of my patients at the hospital the other day, and she was facing a very difficult medical situation in her life. As I went to offer counsel and prayer, she ministered to me far more than I could ever minster to her. Her response to her grim situation was this: "This is nothing compared to what Jesus did for me on the cross. How can I not have a smile on my face?". I learned alot in that room, but it was a great reminder that the events of today are but a drop in the bucket compared to an eternity with the Lord.
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