Dear Visitor, Family and friend,

I’m honored you have landed here on my site as I hope in some way or another you may find inspiration and leave uplifted knowing that God truly Loves You!  If you’re like me, you know life hasn’t been a bundle of roses and keep wondering why there is so much difficulties, trials or sorrows we face.  I pray and hope that no matter how hard things get, you understand that God has a plan and purpose for you and can use whatever it is that you’ve been through for His greater good.

It says in James 1:2-4 to “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and compete, lacking nothing” (NKJV). 

Growing up I’ve always hated this verse, but I come to realize we can have joy knowing that God loves us, and knowing that there is as you’ve heard before “A light at the end of the tunnel.”  The times of enduring hardship in itself is not pleasing or joyful, but it’s the outcome that it will produce in us that is joyful.  It’s fitting to say it seems were always headed into a crisis, in a crisis or coming out of a crisis.  Jesus even said “…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (NLT).

I’m thankful for Jesus who gave us warnings of what to expect.  He warned us fair and square.  As I’ve heard plenty of times growing up, I also picture Jesus saying “Never say I didn’t warn ya, and don’t blame it on my when hardship comes your way and you do the exact opposite of what I say, I’m here to help you, not to harm you.”  When we live by God’s truth, fully trusting in Him, acknowledge His existence as reality and that His Truth as reality we’ll become stronger as we go through the fire.

You ever ask God for wisdom, understanding and to help you become stronger in your faith?  Well guess what, every single trial you go through is an opportunity to be refined.  Every trial is like Gold being tested by fire as it’s impurities are burned off.  That’s what can happen to you if you stand firm through the trials in life that Jesus specifically warns us will come to pass.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV)

We cannot do this alone, if we put God off and turn our attention to worldly distractions we’ll never truly gain the understanding or properly learn how to be ready and thankful at the same time when we are going through the fire.  But… “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” Hebrews 12:2 (NLT).

Blessings,

Rev Gary Woods, Jr