Men's MeetingMen's MeetingNovember 7 at 8:00 AM

1October 21, 2009

Church Fellowship and Dinner

November 14 at 1:00

Cloudland Canyon

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when HIS glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

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We Christians do tendtend to think that we should not havenot have to endure fiery trials:

We are the children of Almighty GodAlmighty God;

He shouldHe should protect us from trials.

Fiery trials come for a purpose:

To test usTo test us.

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If we are never testednever tested, we don't know our weaknesses.

If we don't know our weaknesses we don't know how to praypray as we ought.

Our faithfaith is tested that we might learn how fully we trust our Lord.

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Do I believe absolutely that God loves meGod loves me and desires the best for me?

Do I believe with all my heart that God is wiserGod is wiser than I; isis His way the best way?

Do I sincerely believe that God has the Power Power to do for me what is best, and will usewill use His

Power in my behalf?

We are tested that we may learnlearn whether or not we will endureendure and remain faithful.

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Job 8 14 A man without God is trusting in a spider’s web. Everything he counts on will collapse. 15 If he counts on his home for security, it won’t last. 16 At dawn he seems so strong and virile, like a green plant; his branches spread across the garden. 17 His roots are in the stream, down among the stones. 18 But when he disappears, he isn’t even missed!

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In the morning a spider webspider web is wet

with morning dew; clearly visibleclearly visible.

It won't lastIt won't last.

When it's gone, nobody caresnobody cares.That's the way of a man

who does not trust in God.

We are tested with fiery trials that we may learn whether our love for God is trueis true, whether our faith

will standwill stand that we may endure, and finallyfinally:

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Did we mean itmean it when we asked the Lord to save ussave us from sin and be Lordbe Lord of our lives?

Were we sincere when we testifiedtestified in Baptism that we had died to sindied to sin and were

alive unto righteousnessalive unto righteousness?

Will we standstand with God, or will we cut and runcut and run?

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoiceBut rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when HIS glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

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The Apostle Paul agreedagreed with this and stated it even more emphaticallyemphatically:

Be happy that we were counted worthy of sufferingworthy of suffering for Christ; the rewards are wonderful.

2 Corinthians 11 -- Paul listed some of his trialsPaul listed some of his trials:

Hard labors, many times in prison, beatings, imminent death.

Five different times the Jews gave me their terrible thirty-nine lashes.

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.

Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I was in the open sea all night and the whole next day.

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Difficult travels, flooded rivers, robbers,

Mobs of both Jews and Gentiles tried to kill him.

"I have faced grave dangers from mobs in the cities and from death in the deserts and in the stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not."

Weariness and pain and sleepless nights.

Hunger and thirst, not enough clothes to keep warm28 "Then, besides all this, I have the constant worry of how the churches are getting along:"

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Romans 8 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffersuffer with HIM, that we may be also glorifiedglorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Are youAre you going through a fiery trial right now?

Trust GodTrust God and be happy, and you will finish wellfinish well.

As we learnlearn our weaknesses and praypray for help, we can growgrow spiritually stronger

In the Power of His MightIn the Power of His Might.

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Faith comes by hearkeninghearkening to the Word of God.

With sincere faithsincere faith comes enduranceendurance to stand with God.