[jenedens6102]

Today's Turning Point
Thursday, March 15

How Crises Clarify
But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.
Philippians 1:12

When new Christians begin memorizing Bible verses, Philippians 4:4 is almost always included: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" But when those young Christians discover that Paul wrote that verse while confined to prison, shackled in chains, it suddenly takes on a whole new meaning: Rejoice always, even when your faith might cost you your life!
Crises have a way of forcing us to clarify what we actually believe. Paul was excited (Philippians 1:12) when his faith landed him in prison because he discovered that the Gospel was being preached even more. In other words, his crisis was not a crisis of faith, it was a crisis because of his faith. And it was a crisis that resulted in his faith being strengthened, not weakened. When Peter was charged with being friends with Christ, he denied the relationship existed (Matthew 26:69-75). The shame he felt caused him to clarify his faith, and it never failed him again.
The next time you face a crisis, your faith will be clarified one way or the other--either strong or weak. Plan now to be pleased with what that crisis reveals.
The purest suffering produces the purest understanding.
John of the Cross
Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:1-18
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 5:1 - 7:25


Ladies, I think I needed this today more then I could have ever imagined. Being faced with the "possibility" that something may not be normal with this pregnancy is a situation that can sway me one way or the other but I'm choosing right now to always praise God and rejoice in the gifts He provides to us. He does hear our prayers and He does answer according to His will for our lives (in His time) so we have to remain thankful and strong in our faith.

[pearlsofia]

thank you for sharing this devotional. it touched my heart, lately this is what god has been repeating to me more often. waiting is the hardest part!

[sarah16]

Thanks for the great bible verse.

[94VALENTINEWANTSBLNG]

Thanks Jen. I'm sending up prayers with you.