Hope Rebuilds
“In this [inheritance in heaven] you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
In the fall of 2018, my close friend traveled home for a holiday weekend. After an evening of celebrating and laughter with her family, she awoke in the middle of the night to her mom yelling, “the house is on fire-- grab your sister and get out!” Everyone made it out in time. However, when the sun rose that morning, nothing remained of their house but distorted piles of burned rubble and ash. A home designed to weather storms and to be a safe harbor fell victim to a destructive force of nature.
While your house may still stand, total destruction of your shelter is simply an errant ember away. Likewise, the earthly “security” on which you rely, -- whether a marriage, your job, or food on the supermarket shelves -- is no more secure than a house on sand. An irreconcilable grievance, layoffs, or even panic shopping behavior can demolish the security you rely upon in a day. Yet Peter says we are to rejoice. We can weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn, yet with the deep-rooted faith that we are ultimately provided for in heaven.
God is not testing our faith as some sort of experiment He engineered in heaven. For our benefit and His glory, a test of faith helps us identify our weaknesses so we might emerge stronger in our relationship with God. A weak faith is shallow and fruitless, unable to serve its purpose when the testing comes. The suffering endured is evidence of our union with Christ, a genuine reason to rejoice.
The flames that overwhelmed my friend’s house did not last forever. As days passed, the family sifted through rubble in search of anything that remained. In God’s great mercy, her dad’s Bible was unearthed. A singed page from the book of Psalms now sits framed on her bedside: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:11). It serves as her reminder to rejoice despite being afflicted by turmoil but never crushed. Her hope, our hope, is alive. Praise be to God.
By Bethany Taylor
In the fall of 2018, my close friend traveled home for a holiday weekend. After an evening of celebrating and laughter with her family, she awoke in the middle of the night to her mom yelling, “the house is on fire-- grab your sister and get out!” Everyone made it out in time. However, when the sun rose that morning, nothing remained of their house but distorted piles of burned rubble and ash. A home designed to weather storms and to be a safe harbor fell victim to a destructive force of nature.
While your house may still stand, total destruction of your shelter is simply an errant ember away. Likewise, the earthly “security” on which you rely, -- whether a marriage, your job, or food on the supermarket shelves -- is no more secure than a house on sand. An irreconcilable grievance, layoffs, or even panic shopping behavior can demolish the security you rely upon in a day. Yet Peter says we are to rejoice. We can weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn, yet with the deep-rooted faith that we are ultimately provided for in heaven.
God is not testing our faith as some sort of experiment He engineered in heaven. For our benefit and His glory, a test of faith helps us identify our weaknesses so we might emerge stronger in our relationship with God. A weak faith is shallow and fruitless, unable to serve its purpose when the testing comes. The suffering endured is evidence of our union with Christ, a genuine reason to rejoice.
The flames that overwhelmed my friend’s house did not last forever. As days passed, the family sifted through rubble in search of anything that remained. In God’s great mercy, her dad’s Bible was unearthed. A singed page from the book of Psalms now sits framed on her bedside: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:11). It serves as her reminder to rejoice despite being afflicted by turmoil but never crushed. Her hope, our hope, is alive. Praise be to God.
By Bethany Taylor
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2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacements
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
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May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
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July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
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September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
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December
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