​

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Sheltered   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Encouragement

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange is happening to you. --1 Peter 4:12 You probably don’t need me to tell you this, but you are going to face trials in life. Some of those trials will be the kinds of trials that everyone experiences regardless of whether they know Christ or not. Then there will be those kinds of trials that happen as a result of your own mistakes or bad decisions. But then there will be those kinds of trials that you will encounter because you are a Christian. These are trials of persecution, opposition, and resistance that come because of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you experienced such trials? I know I have. The members of the early church experienced such trials too… except they were the victims of bitter persecution. What did Peter say to them? He told them not to be surprised when their faith was under fire. He encouraged them to accept it and to remember that it wasn’t some strange thing that was happening to them. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write what he did because he knew that people needed to be reminded to look beyond their painful circumstances and trust that God was in complete control of their lives. And you and I have the same need today! So no matter what trial you’re facing or what trial you will face as a result of your faith, remember that it’s happening for a reason… and that God is in control! WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH, REMEMBER THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL! Kingdom Investments by Dr. Paul Chappell “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” Luke 8:1–3 The name Humphrey Monmouth is not well known in our day, but he had a major impact on the cause of Christ that has endured for hundreds of years. When William Tyndale began his work to translate the Bible into the English language, it was illegal. Tyndale was forced to go into hiding to complete his massive project. Monmouth shared the vision of the importance of people being able to read the Scriptures for themselves. A wealthy cloth merchant, Monmouth covered Tyndale’s expenses while he did his translation. Then he used his connections in shipping and commerce to smuggle the newly printed Bibles from Germany back to England. Thousands of Tyndale New Testaments were printed, in large part because of the courage and generosity of a now-forgotten businessman who believed he could make a difference. Not all of us stand and preach in a church or go to a mission field, but all of us can play a vital role in God’s work in our world by using what He has given us for His Kingdom. For the church to operate as it should, it must have the contributions from the different members, each playing the role and doing the jobs God has equipped them to do. “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).   Today’s Growth Principle:  God expects each of us to do what we can to further His work according to the gifts He has given us.