The Crash Course
Friday, June 17, 2022
Cool Under Fire
God's Word tells us what to do when adversity comes. Rejoice! Rejoice in adversity! In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul says that the sign of God's grace to the Macedonian churches during their most severe trials was this: they had overflowing joy! They rejoiced in adversity! Now I realize that when you are going through tough times, it is hard to rejoice. It's hard to rejoice when the IRS audits you. It's hard to rejoice when you lose your job. But the Bible says to rejoice in all things and consider it pure joy. It is hard to do like walking through deep snow. But when you come out of it, walking is a breeze, a joy. It's as if you have more power than you ever did. It's the same with rejoicing in trouble which causes you to grow stronger. Adversity is like a crash course in growing in the Lord. It's intensive training that's more powerful than a sermon. So today rejoice in the hard times. Rejoice so that when the hard times are over, you will have more strength and more faith. And your faith and your joy will overcome the world.

Today's Mission
Any adversity in your life today is an exercise in pure faith. Draw even closer to the Lord and know He is in control of all things, so stand strong and rejoice.

James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Faith Under Pressure
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Have a blessed and safe weekend.