My awesome, wonderful Grandchildren, and Annika and Kaleigh, whom I love and pray for every day: “…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)
So, Christianity is a life of tremendous joy first because we have a great and sure future to look forward to beyond all our distresses, AND second because God has a design to increase our joy in our future by means of our distresses. Peter describes the benefit of these trials, which distress us but don’t prevent us from rejoicing: they test, purify, and prove our faith.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil…Rejoice in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY, for behold, YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN…” (Luke 6:22-23)
When we give ourselves to Jesus and become born again we become the enemy of the devil and it is his mission to: “…to steal and kill and destroy…” thankfully, Jesus said: “I have come that they may have LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL.” (John 10:10)
“My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, THINK OF IT AS PURE JOY. Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens IT WILL PRODUCE IN YOU THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE. The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be ALL YOU SHOULD BE. You will have everything you need.” (James 1:2-4)
NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE FACING, JESUS SAID HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!
Notice: […We must understand that the bible says:] “…you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, THINK OF IT AS PURE JOY.” !!!] That’s for you: Stephanie, Ethan, Camden, Olivia, Aidan, Landon, Kinsley, Annika and Kaleigh