Continuing Michael's message, he writes: Hebrews
chapter 11 is known as the “Hall of Faith”. In this chapter, Enoch was taken up
to see God. He was a man of faith. James said, “Faith without works is dead. Show me your works and I’ll show you the
fruit of your faith.” Faith is evidenced by the results when we love,
praise, serve and honor the Lord.
People fear
what they cannot control. Through trials, God will teach us that He is In
control … that He is sovereign over all. Does God do everything with
our best interest in mind? Do all things really work together for good to
those who love God and are called according to His purpose. “Trust in the Lord.
Don’t lean to your own understanding. Do not take matters into your own hand. The
Lord asks: “When have I promised and not
kept my word? I will make your paths straight. Will you not then trust me
in this present crisis as you have trusted me before. I deepen you in the
furnace of affliction.” What seems to be a wind of destruction is a trial so
that you can rest in my love. Through the pain and affliction, I will show you
that my love is certain and unshakable.
Through the trial and discipline
you will learn, like as a Father cherishes his children, so the Lord has mercy
on them that fear him. Rest assured that I have you in my own intensive
care. Through the pain of loss, draw on the resources of my grace. If I’ve
allowed your heart to break, heaven rejoices when you proceed through the trial
with a singing spirit. If you abide in me and my word abides in you, ask
whatsoever you will and it shall be given to you. Therefore, be as a beacon
light to reflect the glory of the Lord. Let your light so shine before men
that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.” For we have this treasure in earthen
vessels so that he excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
The testing
of our faith works patience. According to James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works
patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.” Verse
12 says, “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that
love him.”
As Cory Ten
Boom said, “We will never know that God
is all we need until he’s all we have.” Through trial God will
comfort us as He transforms us according to purpose to which He has called each
of us to be holy and without blame before Him in love. Through the testing of
our faith we will understand that our purpose is that we should live to the
praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother
in Christ, Michael
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