TRIALS
BREAD
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 (NIV)
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
BUTTER
“The life which is promised is probably life here and now, life in its fullness, life in its completeness.” Curtis Vaughan
“In a command to ‘be joyful,’ self-discipline isn’t the goal. It isn’t an effective response or even a realistic one. We can’t change our hearts simply by telling them to change. We can, however, realize that our attitudes are off-kilter and ask Him to supernaturally change them. He holds hearts in His hand; He can certainly sway them with His thoughts and fill them with His Spirit. If we are going to be people who are always joyful, this is how it has to be. We can’t follow this instruction in the midst of trying circumstances unless we have a radical change of perspective and supernatural help. Biblical commands to rejoice – especially in suffering, persecution, and the intense trials of life – can only be fulfilled when we depend on Him.” Chris Tiegreen
HEART SAVOR
• I am able to be joyful in all circumstances only through the supernatural power of Jesus. I cannot muster up the strength within myself.
• I can trust Him in the trials of life as He is able to make beauty from my ashes.
• Perseverance with joy under trials will produce the abundant life – life in all its fullness – in me. This is the life Jesus desires for me and I desire for me as well as it is full and complete lacking nothing.
Beth Yoe's Sharing Bread 