Thought for October 17, 2023

• 1831: Felix Mendelssohn's First Piano Concerto premiers
• 1860: First British Open
• 1904: Bank of Italy opens in San Francisco--now Bank of America
• 1919: Radio Corporation of America [RCA] formed as subsidiary of General Electric
• 1933: Einstein arrives in the U.S. as a refugee
• 1963: Beatles release "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
• 1968: "Bullitt" with Steve McQueen premiers--and the wild car chase begins. The Mustang sold at auction a couple of years ago for $3.4 million
• 1979: Mother Teresa wins Nobel Prize
• 1989: 6.9 earthquake cancels game 3 of the World Series--67 killed
• 2017: George Soros contributes $18 billion to the Open Society Foundation
• Born: Arthur Miller, Rita Hayworth, Jim Gilliam, Jimmy Breslin, Evel Knievel, Mae Jemison [1st African American woman in space], Alan Jackson, Ernie Els, Eminem
• Died: Frederic Chopin, Julia Ward Howe, Ralph Abernathy, Ernie Ford

Thought:

Reading 1 Peter 1:6-9 today--I have underlined part and written notes in the margin of my Bible. In the first 5 verses we were reminded of how blessed we are in Jesus. But as we await the revelation of Jesus, we may encounter trials. James begins his letter with the same subject. Recall that James wants us to understand that:

• We must consider it joy when we encounter various trials. Why?
• Testing our faith produces endurance
• Endurance results in perfecting and completing us [sanctifying us] in Christ
• If we have trouble understanding why we have encountered various trials--we ask God for the wisdom to understand--but we ask with total faith in God's plan, purpose and power. 

Now Peter writes on a similar subject--you are chosen, sanctified, born again with a living hope, destined for a glorious inheritance, living under the protection of God--what happens when we encounter various trials. Peter wants us to know:

• The trials are varied. All of us do not experience the same trials. Some seem to be obvious to all--illness, injury, loss of a job, broken families. But some no one sees--struggles with eating, drinking, weight, Family issues that we keep to ourselves. Frustrations at work. Wayward children or grandchildren. I think Peter wants me to know that just because I don't see your trials, it doesn't mean you have none.
• The trials are temporary. Like a bad kidney stone, this too will pass. But there will be pain along the way. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus and His promises, the glory of His return, the promises of our future with Him. The trials will not follow us into eternity.
• The trials may be necessary. Why? They may provide opportunity for our faith to be tested and to grow. they may provide opportunity for us to bear witness to the grace, power, sufficiency, and love of God to others. Or we may never understand their necessity--but by faith we trust God's goodness, mercy and grace.
• The trial may give us a chance to honor God in the face of the trial so that He receives praise, glory and honor. 

We can face the trials because we know God has chosen us, is with us, will not leave us, is sufficient. And we know that at the end of the trial awaits the crown of life and glory when He is revealed. 

Today, give those trials to the Lord--He will ease the burden, carry the load, give strength, overcome with joy, and provide His perfect peace. 

Blessings

Larry