Daily Bread 10-25-17

1 Peter 1:6-8

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 The at the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love: in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

ref. - Ro 12:12 - Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer;

Isa 48:10 - Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

1Jn 4:20 - If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Jn 20:29 - Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

All of these things that we face in this world, all of the trials that we go through, will be worth it some day if we can remain faithful. We have been given everything that we need but only our faith will carry us through. You see, we have been given an "easier" way according to the word of God, in that we must only believe in him. We need not go around looking for the ones to lead us and guide us. No, we must believe in him and be led to those who will lead and guide us. Just as Saul was led to Damascus to a man named Ananias, so must we allow God to show us the way. What a great benefit and opportunity that we have to realize that, no matter what we face in this world, if we can finish this race faithfully, we will see a place where there are no trials or tribulations, where the glory never ends! Some day, Brothers and Sisters we will be rejoicing! After all of the hardships, stumbles, mountains and valleys that we cross in this life, even the times when we have to go to our knees in Godly repentance, there will be a rest and a place where the joy shall never end! We are not being tried with the loss of riches or possessions, we are being tried with the fear of losing our souls and having our understanding blotted out.The loss of eternal life and the curse of damnation. We are facing a battle that does not consist of worldly earthen things, but that of what possesses our Spirit. What voices we have leading us. This is the refinement that we are brought in Jesus Christ. We must not turn our possessions over to him but what is inside of us, in faith, knowing that in the end our souls will be fit for the kingdom that he has prepared for us. But the way that we live on this earth is a telltale sign of what is going on in our souls. Just as the scripture says; If we cannot even love our Brother who we can see, how can we love a God that we cannot see? So, as our hearts progress and our souls grow closer and closer to God, let us put away the things that cause hate and anger between Brothers and Sisters and deal righteously with one another. Let us find the true love of God by seeking for more of him in our lives. Let us learn more of Jesus Christ and be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Let us endure to the end so that we may be saved!! All of this is available in this Gospel that is being preached and taught to us in the Church Of God Of The Firstborn. The greatest Church under heaven!!!! Have a great day!!!