Why do we go through trials?

That question is answered in the first chapter of Peters Epistle.

See 1:6-9

1Pet 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

1Pet 1:7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

1Pet 1:8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 

1Pet 1:9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

First of all, while we rejoice in Christ Jesus, though now for a little while ( IF NEED BE ).....that's the first thing about trials, this is partly why the Lord allows them in our lives. It's if NEED BE. In other words, there is some need in our life that that the Lord is seeking to minister to. 

Secondly, we are told that the ( GENUINENESS OF OUR FAITH )  will come shining through. 

So, for these two reasons. One, we have a need, and the Lord is tending to that need, and secondly, that our faith being tested by fire will be found to praise, honor and glory. In other words, our faith will be developed and made stronger. 

These two truths can help us as we face trials, to see them from God's perspective, and then to embrace them, and patiently go through them, letting the Lord do His work in us and through us. 

In short, when God takes us through a trial ( which He does if we let Him, He is always faithful to get us through them ) we never come out the other side the same. We are changed, we are transformed, we are equipped to better serve Him and His people. 

Thank You Father for these truths. They are such an encouragement to us. They shed great light on our lives and ministries. We welcome Your work, and pray to trust You as we go through trials, and to just patiently wait on You to do Your work. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. Trials only come when needed.

2. They are to refine our faith

3. Trials are fiery, but not destructive

4. Trials purify us.

5. Trials make our faith shine all the more.

6. Trials fit the plan of God for our lives. 

7. Hang in there, God will get you through. 

8. Be faithful to God. He is faithful to You. 

Your inheritance/what is it?

A closer look at Your inheritance in Jesus Christ.

What is the inheritance that you have in Christ?

In the verses below, much is said about the inheritance you have been given in Christ. 

Peter 1:4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

1st Peter 1:5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

There are 8 things brought out here. 

1. You do have an inheritance. 

2. This is given to you by God.

3. It's incorruptible.

4. It's undefiled

5. It's not going to fade away.

6. It's being reserved for you in heaven.

7. You are being kept by God's power.

8. You are being kept by God through faith.

Essentially, these truths mean, that you are currently an heir, who has been brought into the will of God by adoption as an equal son with all other believers, and are a joint heir with Jesus Christ. God has given you something that is permanent, nothing can happen to it, such as it becoming corrupted and defiled. It's reserved for you, and you are being kept for it by God's power as you walk by faith. 

Lord, it's beyond our ability to say the things that we ought to say in thanksgiving. What can we say? We stand in awe, especially because of your grace. Your Word lays these things out for us. And we thank You that we indeed have this inheritance from You, and pray that we become rooted and grounded in the truth of what You have done for us. In Jesus name 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise. 

1. It's true, He has given us an inheritance.

2. We have what Christ has. 

3. We are joint-heirs with Christ.

4. What can we do in response Lord?

5. How about giving our lives to You?

6. Serving You, is logical. 

7. In light of what You have done for us. 

Count your blessings

Some blessings from God.....let's count them.

Peter is going to address them later on, as those who were going through suffering and trials. But, before he does that, he recounts for them, what God has blessed them with. This is a good and encouraging way to view our own lives and situations. You may be going through a difficulty, but, let's not forget the truths of God's many, many blessings in our lives. 

1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1:4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

1: 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We are now pilgrims, whose citizenship is in another land, that land of heaven with God and Jesus Christ. 

We have been chosen by the Lord in His foreknowledge, ( or in His forethought, and pre-arrangement ) The Lord has had us in mind, long ago, in eternity past.

We have been set apart ( to be holy ) by God through His Spirit.

We can have God's grace and peace multiplied in our lives. 

We have received God's abundant mercy.

We have been begotten again, or born again.

We now have a living hope in Jesus Christ.

We have an inheritance in Jesus Christ.

We are kept by the power of God through faith.

There are many more things that are said here, and in the days ahead, we will look at them more closely. But, for now, these are wonderful, and given to us by the Lord.

Thank You Father. In Jesus name

Application/Promise.

1. You have given us so much Lord.

2. We deserved none of these.

3. These are all from Your grace.

4. How can we ever thank You.

5. Would You help us appreciate these blessings.

6. You are so good to us.

10 words of encouragement for those who are suffering

More words of encouragement for those who are suffering:

See James 5:8-11 Below. Much is said to the person(s) who were suffering. 

James 5:8  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:9  Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

 James 5:10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.

James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

1.They were to patient like the farmers who waited.

2 They were to establish their hearts.

3. They were reminded the Lord is coming again

4. They were to look to the prophets as examples.

5. The prophets suffered and were patient.

6. We do count as blessed those who have endured. 

7. We have seen the perseverance of Job.

8. We have seen the intended by the Lord.

9. We know the Lord is very compassionate.

10. We know the Lord is very merciful. 

So, these are the things that the Lord gave them in James to direct them, to encourage them, and to comfort them in their sufferings. These things were designed to establish them, and to build them up, and to give them strength. 

It's very much worth taking some time to reflect on these truths from God and let them minister to your own heart, in your own time(s) of suffering and difficulties.

So often we are looking around us for solutions to our problems, when a simple pause, and a look up as it were to the Lord would bring us right into that which we need in our lives. 

Again, take a moment to ponder, to reflect on, and to pray about what's listed above in these 10 thoughts from James 5, and may the Lord bless you, and cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace, grace and mercy in your life. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. His ways are not our ways.

2. His ways are above our ways.

3. His ways can become our ways.

4. His ways are the best ways.

5. His ways are for each of us today.

6. His ways are the ways of peace and pleasantness.

7. His ways come from His love for you.

8. His ways will also transform and keep you.