SATURDAY STROLL

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be *interacting* with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking to us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!

Lord, how come You do things so backwards sometimes?

I've just celebrated Thanksgiving, and there are many things that I'm grateful for. But honestly, You tell me to be thankful for the *tough stuff* of life, too.

Don't You?

Yes, dear one, I do.

Lord, will You speak a good word to me on that?

Absolutely.

I tell you, don't be surprised when fiery trials come your way. Really! Why do you think it so strange? Didn't the world persecute Me?

I want you to be thankful - indeed, very glad - for these trials.

Lord, why on earth WHY?

Because, these trials make you partners with Me! It was My suffering that redeemed you - and it was My suffering that made you right with God. My suffering that was the perfect sacrifice - and My suffering that gave you freedom from sin and death.

Yes, Lord - I am eternally grateful for that.

Sweet child, I'm glad you brought up eternity. For that is the ultimate result of suffering. You will one day have the wonderful JOY of seeing My glory when I reveal it to the world!

Really?!

Yes, really! So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian - and that includes all the suffering that this tired old world sends your way - for it is then, in the midst of your suffering, that the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

Oh Lord, I couldn't endure without Your Spirit.

I know. So consider these times of trouble to be an opportunity for joy. You know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. I consider your spiritual maturity a prize well worth the cost of suffering. Because when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfected and complete.

Yes, Lord, that is my goal, too. I just don't like the *tough* way I have to learn sometimes.

Sweet one, gold is never refined by gentle sifting. It is purified by fire. And trials will show that your faith is genuine. When your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring much praise and glory and honor on the day when I am revealed.

Lord, I just get so tired sometimes.

I know. But remember, I am renewing your spirit every day. So don't give up. Your present troubles are small, and they won't last very long. Don't look at the troubles you can see now - fix your gaze on the things that cannot be seen. Someday all of this will be over - and you will see how everything worked together to produce for you a glory. And, great news, this glory will last forever!

Lord, what an awesome reward!

It gives me great joy to bestow this reward on you!

I have made you right in the sight of My Father, and I have given you peace with Him because of what I've done. Trust Me, eternal glory is going to far outshine and vastly outweigh the troubles of this world.

I believe that, Lord. Will You help me endure?

Of course. Your endurance is building strong character, and that strength of character is what enables you to understand your confident hope of salvation.

And, believe Me, your hope will NOT be disappointed!

Lord, I think that's the best promise of all!

Yes! And one more thing...I want you to always remember this. I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in Me. Not peace like you might understand it - absence of anxiety, safety from troubles, lack of uncertainty, health and wealth security. No, My peace is different.

Though you will have many trials and sorrows on this earth, I want you to take heart. And here's the secret to that...

I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!!

Yes, Lord! Nothing can ever separate me from You.

No, dear one. Nothing, no one, not ever.

And one day, I am coming back for you.

Yes, Lord - come soon!

(Today's stroll was taken from 1 Peter, James, Romans, 2 Corinthians, and John. God's Word speaks...)

(SIDENOTE: I am enjoying these *strolls* so much, that I have decided to do them more often. Hence, "QUAINT WORDS" will be on hiatus for awhile. I changed my mind, woman's prerogative!!)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"