Faith-bearing Seed for the Soul
"The sower soweth the Word."

Mark 4:14

Trials & Testing...Who needs them?

As I've been studying 1 Peter, I'm understanding more thoroughly how trials and testing are to be a part of every
Christian's life...Seems, according to God's Word, that we ALL need them for growth and maturing in faith.

1 Peter 1:6-9  (All verses from the NLT,, Emphasis added.) 6So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even
though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. 7These trials are only to test your faith, to show
that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to
God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.8You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

When gold is purified, the heat is turned up until the dross comes to the top, at which time it is removed.  Then the
process begins all over until the reflection of the one doing the purifying can be seen.  God wants a clear reflection of Himself to be seen in us, and the fiery trials that we go through avails us the opportunity to repent of all sin that
is muddying His reflection.

1 Peter 3 talks about marriage relationships.  Many, these days, are being severely tried in this area.  Unfortunately, rather than admitting wrong, repenting and going forward in the marriage, one or both refuse to admit wrong doing, and they go their separate ways.  Peter says clearly that the wives must accept the authority of their husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News. (1 Peter 3:1) And husbands are told in 1 Peter 3:7 that their prayers will not be answered if they don't treat their wives as they should.

Others are being tested in relationships and friendships. People are saying unkind things about one another.  The
believer has the opportunity to pass this test by blessing those who do this to them:

1 Peter 3:9-11
Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10For the Scriptures say,

"If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.

Suffering is not to be a surprise for a Christian.  The Word says that when we decide to stop sinning, that
suffering will begin.  The testing and suffering comes about when we decide to do it God's way, rather than our own.

1 Peter 4:1-5
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be
ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. 2And you won't
spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3You have had
enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy--their immorality and lust, their feasting and
drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. 4Of course, your former friends are very surprised
when you no longer join them in the wicked things they do, and they say evil things about you. 5But just remember
that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.

Yes, God is testing and trying, and holding us accountable for our actions.  More and more, Christians are going
through the toughest times in their lives.

1 Peter 4:17
17For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God's own children. And if even we
Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God's Good News?

Praise the Lord, however,  that our testing and trials are not continuous.  There are times that the flames are lowered; times when we are restored, strengthened and comforted. If you are in the midst of a great testing and trying now, rejoice in the fact that you are being matured to look and act like Jesus, and know that it won't last forever.

1 Peter 5:10, 11
....After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on
a firm foundation.  All power is His forever and ever.  Amen


Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Jesus,
Marlene JuHaros.
www.prayervine.org

a.k.a. PrayerVine

Seed for Thought Devotionals are written as the Lord leads and are sent only if you request a subscription by e-mail.  

Would you like to subscribe to the TexasSower Devotional?  e-mail texassower@texassower.com and put "subscribe" in the subject line.

"Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know

which will grow--perhaps it all will."

Eccl. 11:6

return to the TexasSower home page

.

You are cordially invited to visit the   page for additonal inspiration readings and prayer..