If I could go back and chart the greatest episodes of growth and spiritual depth in my life, they ALWAYS occurred during times of adversity and pain I mean without exception. None of us will ever truly grow closer or go deeper with God apart from pain.
The fact of the matter is, grass grows thicker and greener in the valley than it does on the mountain top. And so it is with us. We grow more in character and spirituality in the valleys of life, than we do on the mountain tops of life. That's just the way it is, just as fire purifies gold, just as abrasion polishes metal, just as heat strengthens and tempers steel, just as boiling water brings out the flavor of tea. We, too, must enter times of adversity, fire, pain and suffering if we are going to ever be fully refined in our character, and drawn to a deep abiding relationship with Christ, apart from the brokenness and pain, that comes through suffering and adversity.
Hard to read, harder to believe, nontheless true...
Tommy
Friday, July 9, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
GCR--it is personal!
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
We plant the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of people who hear it, and we seek to cultivate that seed by our love and prayers. In due time, that seed may bear fruit to the glory of God.
At this moment more people on planet earth are lost and without Christ than ever before in human history. This world is ripe for the taking. The opportunity for missions, evangelism, soul-winning, and kingdom growing, is unprecedented. There are more open doors to share the gospel than ever before.
Crime, drugs, abortion, homosexuality, the breakup of the family, have all combined to give us the most depressed, discouraged, disillusioned culture in our nation’s history. The question is not “is there an opportunity?” but “will we seize the opportunity?”
We must SEE the opportunity, and we must SIEZE the opportunity.
Remember:
Psalm 126:5-6, Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
Galatians 6:9, 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 9:6, 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
We plant the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of people who hear it, and we seek to cultivate that seed by our love and prayers. In due time, that seed may bear fruit to the glory of God.
At this moment more people on planet earth are lost and without Christ than ever before in human history. This world is ripe for the taking. The opportunity for missions, evangelism, soul-winning, and kingdom growing, is unprecedented. There are more open doors to share the gospel than ever before.
Crime, drugs, abortion, homosexuality, the breakup of the family, have all combined to give us the most depressed, discouraged, disillusioned culture in our nation’s history. The question is not “is there an opportunity?” but “will we seize the opportunity?”
We must SEE the opportunity, and we must SIEZE the opportunity.
Remember:
Psalm 126:5-6, Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
Galatians 6:9, 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 9:6, 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
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