Trials

Little Sharks, Big Jelly Fish

[350 words] Every time I go swimming in the ocean, someone inevitably warns me: watch out for sharks! I always do, but I’ve never seen one, I’ve never heard the “bom-bom-bom-bom” music that plays in the background when sharks come near! And it’s a good thing, because once you hear the music, it’s probably too…

[244 words] “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name…

Beware Small Problems

[232 words] Take some snow and form it into a ball. Roll the ball downhill and it will get bigger and bigger. The faster it rolls, the faster it becomes a danger. It’s even possible for a deadly avalanche start from the effects of just one small snowball. Take a small problem in a church…

Are You at a Loss?

[559 words] Paul said, “We are perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Cor. 4:8). The word perplexed means more than just being puzzled. It comes from aporeo which means “to be at loss with one’s self, be in doubt; not to know how to decide or what to do, to be perplexed” (Thayer, 66). We…

What God Promises to Do Concerning Our Trials

“Oh, no, here I go again. Another trial in my life. Lord, just how much do you think I can really handle?” Have you ever said or thought those words, or something like them? That recently? Me, too. When times like that hit, we need to avoid the temptation of thinking that maybe we have…

The Storms of Life

At some point in life most of us face many types of health, financial, family or other serious problem. Recently, it seems that “storm clouds” have encircled many due to lost jobs, poor health and the economic situation in our country. It would be quite easy to begin counting our problems instead of our blessings.…