Verse of the Day - James 1:3

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
~ James 1:3 (NLT)

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I watched a movie last night that I had resisted watching ever since it came out...Cast Away, with Tom Hanks. Before watching it, I just thought it seemed like a depressing film, full of trials and hardships, and I just couldn't bring myself to watch it. But yesterday, it came on and I allowed myself to just let it unfold on my TV screen. Boy, am I glad I did.

Tom Hanks plays a FedEx executive who washes ashore a deserted tropical island after his plane crashes into the ocean. Some four plus years goes by before he is able to set sail on a homemade raft, which because of the right time of year, gets him back into the shipping lanes, and he's rescued. But -- the time spent on the island was an amazing example of testing and endurance. His one constant hope was his girlfriend, Kelly, whose picture in his pocket watch kept him company (that, and his volleyball friend, Wilson -- I won't explain, you'll just have to watch the film :-). His desire to be with Kelly keeps his hope alive, and so begins the long journey of his survival...endurance in the midst of many difficult trials and tribulations.

As believers in Jesus, our desire is to be with Him -- in spirit now, but face to face for eternity. But our faith in Jesus is all or nothing. He says Either you're with Me, or you're not. There's no sitting on the fence. Either you understand Who I am and are willing to claim my name no matter what, or you're not. And life is gonna put you to the test. You're gonna face many hard things, potentially giving you the idea to give up on your faith in Me. You may even risk harm or death because of Me. But if you are committed to Me, I will help you endure. And in that endurance, you will become the person My Father desires you to be....mature and stable in your faith in Him, and strong and confident in His Spirit.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~ James 1:2-4 (NIV)

God can be trusted. Your faith in Him is not in vain. Although your life airplane may crash into the ocean, don't give up. Endure through hard times, forging your faith into steel from the fire of trials. The more you exercise your faith, the stronger you become. Faith begets faith. Why? Because God is faithful to build you up and strengthen you for one trial, which provides the encouragement for the next trial. He gives you tools and weapons to fight the battles and to survive...even to thrive! As you place your weight on Him -- your eternal life raft -- you realize that He is sea worthy and able to carry you safely to your rescue.

This life is a journey. But it is also a testing ground. We are challenged to discover how real our faith in God is. If you find that your faith is shallow when the trials come, don't despair. You are simply in an earlier phase of the testing ground than others who are farther along. Take heart -- you're being strengthened to increase your endurance so that you can become mature in your faith in God. Don't throw in the towel when the going gets tough. Be like the castaway...sharpen a tree limb and spear a fish! Survive in your faith and thrive in the Spirit.

When you enter the gates of heaven, will you feel mature and complete, not lacking anything? Or will you wish you had placed more faith in the God who loves you and rescued you from eternal death? Our testing ground is for a purpose -- don't waste it, my friend.

Love,
Joelene