How refreshing to read this today! In my own struggles, messages and devotions like this are so encouraging and helpful.
The Purpose of Our Trials
READ 1 Peter 4:12
Some believers like to portray their lives as perfect and carefree. But in reality, being a Christian isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test our faith and ability to trust in God.In today’s passage, Peter refers to times of testing as “fiery ordeals.” He says we shouldn’t be surprised when hardships come our way. It’s important to remember that God has a purpose for our trials and will see us through each step of the way. But the question is, What purpose does God have for the trials we face? First, the heavenly Father will sometimes use painful experiences to cleanse and purify His children’s lives. Trials drive us to the Lord. Then, as we begin to focus on Him, we start to see things from His perspective and often become more aware of our sin.Second, the Lord at times allows difficulty in our life as a way of testing us—He might be trying our faith, endurance, or devotion to Him. He uses such experiences to reveal something about our spiritual development and to strengthen our faith.Third, God uses suffering to demonstrate His power to sustain us. When He brings you through difficult times, He glorifies Himself. In turn, this encourages others when they experience trials, because they have witnessed God’s sustaining power in your life.Ultimately, hardships strengthen our testimony. In the midst of adversity, we might feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But once the storm has passed, we can often look back and see the Lord’s providential hand carrying us through.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Significance
Significance
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. - Psalm 90:17
Many of us begin our careers with the goal of achieving success. If we haven't entered our work as a result of God's calling, we will eventually face a chasm of deep frustration and emptiness. Success flatters but does not provide a lasting sense of purpose and fulfillment. So often we enter careers with wrong motives-money, prestige, and even pressure from parents or peers. Failing to match our work with our giftedness and calling is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. If that happens over an extended period, a person crashes.At this time, many make another mistake. Workplace believers think that beginning a new career in "full-time Christian work" will fill the emptiness they feel. However, this only exacerbates the problem because they are again trying to put another square peg into a round hole. The problem is not whether we should be in "Christian work" or "secular work," but rather what work is inspired by gifts and calling. If there is one phrase I wish I could remove from the English language it is "full-time Christian work." If you are a Christian, you are in full-time Christian work, whether you are driving nails or preaching the gospel. The question must be, are you achieving the God-given calling for your life? God has called people into business to fulfill His purposes just as much as He has called people to be pastors or missionaries.It is time for workplace believers to stop feeling like second-class citizens for being in business. It is time workplace believers stop working toward financial independence so that they can concentrate on their "true spiritual calling." This is the great deception for those called to business.Significance comes from fulfilling the God-given purpose for which you were made. Ask Him to confirm this in your own life.
*JUMPING UP AND DOWN* That's me!!!!!!!!
I went in to this line of work because I needed to so that Chris and I could live. I had trouble scoring a job when we moved to DC, and coming to this company was supposed to be temporary until I found something better. Almost four years later, and I am still here. BUT, if you read my other blog today, then you know that I applied for two management positions with PetsMart and can I say how stoked I am!? Animals are my thing. Really. I am good with them, I love them, I love to take care of them, train them, handle them and just about everything that comes with them. Could getting my foot in the door with PetsMart and eventually working with their pet adoption program be my calling? MAYBE! I am excited to find out!
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. - Psalm 90:17
Many of us begin our careers with the goal of achieving success. If we haven't entered our work as a result of God's calling, we will eventually face a chasm of deep frustration and emptiness. Success flatters but does not provide a lasting sense of purpose and fulfillment. So often we enter careers with wrong motives-money, prestige, and even pressure from parents or peers. Failing to match our work with our giftedness and calling is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. If that happens over an extended period, a person crashes.At this time, many make another mistake. Workplace believers think that beginning a new career in "full-time Christian work" will fill the emptiness they feel. However, this only exacerbates the problem because they are again trying to put another square peg into a round hole. The problem is not whether we should be in "Christian work" or "secular work," but rather what work is inspired by gifts and calling. If there is one phrase I wish I could remove from the English language it is "full-time Christian work." If you are a Christian, you are in full-time Christian work, whether you are driving nails or preaching the gospel. The question must be, are you achieving the God-given calling for your life? God has called people into business to fulfill His purposes just as much as He has called people to be pastors or missionaries.It is time for workplace believers to stop feeling like second-class citizens for being in business. It is time workplace believers stop working toward financial independence so that they can concentrate on their "true spiritual calling." This is the great deception for those called to business.Significance comes from fulfilling the God-given purpose for which you were made. Ask Him to confirm this in your own life.
*JUMPING UP AND DOWN* That's me!!!!!!!!
I went in to this line of work because I needed to so that Chris and I could live. I had trouble scoring a job when we moved to DC, and coming to this company was supposed to be temporary until I found something better. Almost four years later, and I am still here. BUT, if you read my other blog today, then you know that I applied for two management positions with PetsMart and can I say how stoked I am!? Animals are my thing. Really. I am good with them, I love them, I love to take care of them, train them, handle them and just about everything that comes with them. Could getting my foot in the door with PetsMart and eventually working with their pet adoption program be my calling? MAYBE! I am excited to find out!
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