AD| Find your Christian Soul Mate
http://l.salemweb.net/eharm0204m/devo/
____________________________
NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
November 10
FERTILE SOIL FOR GROWTH
The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good
conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).
Perhaps the greatest service performed by trials and tribulations
in our lives is to reveal wrong goals. It's during these times of
pressure that your emotions raise their warning flags signaling
blocked goals, uncertain goals, and impossible goals which are
based on our desires instead of God's goal of proven character.
People say, "My marriage is hopeless," then "solve" the problem
by changing partners. But if you think your first marriage is
hopeless, be aware that second marriages are failing at a far
higher rate. Others feel their jobs are hopeless. So they change
jobs, only to discover that the new job is just as hopeless.
People tend to look for quick-fix solutions to difficult
situations. But God's plan is for you to hang in there and grow
up.
Is there an easier way to being God's person than through
enduring tribulations? Believe me: I've been looking for one. But
I must honestly say that it has been the dark, difficult times of
testing in my life which have brought me to where I am today. I
thank God for the occasional mountaintop experiences, but the
fertile soil for growth is always down in the valleys of
tribulation, not on the mountaintops. Paul says, "The goal of our
instruction is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). Notice that if you make
that your goal, then the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy
(instead of depression), peace (instead of anxiety), and patience
(instead of anger)(Galatians 5:22, 23).
How would you give hope to a woman whose husband just left? "Oh,
we will win him back," you say. Great desire; wrong goal. Trying
to manipulate that husband or the circumstance is probably why he
left in the first place. It is better to say to the woman, "If
you haven't committed yourself to be the wife and mother God has
called you to be, would you now?" According to Romans 5:3-5, our
hope lies in the proven character that come through perseverance.
Father, enable me today to persevere through the trials of life
and thereby develop strong character and hope.
-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.28294.1.1698058.
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.28294.2.1698058.
-----------
Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM), who brings you these Daily in
Christ devotionals through Crosswalk, is asking you to prayerfully
consider how you can help financially during these future months. If you
have been touched by these devotionals, a monthly pledge or even a
special gift of any amount during this time would be greatly
appreciated. Please use the link below to give as the Lord leads.
Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration of this need in
helping others discover the treasure of Freedom in Christ.
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.28294.6.1698058
>>> Share the good news <<<
Please forward this message to a friend!
FREE Christian Book
http://l.salemweb.net/swnoffer0203/
____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________
* This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. To unsubscribe
from this newsletter immediately, simply click on the link below.
If this link is not clickable, simply cut and paste it into the
address bar of your browser.
http://www.salememail.com/unsub/14/1698058.aspx
* Copyright � 2004 Salem Web Network and its Content
Providers. All rights reserved.
1698058
____________________________________________________________
TRINITY COLLEGE & SEMINARY OFF CAMPUS & ONLINE
Experience Personal & Ministry Growth
Through Bible-Focused Degree Programs
Associate and Bachelor of Arts
Master of Arts, M.Div., Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Ministry
http://l.salemweb.net/tcs2003tr/footer/
____________________________________________________________
Questions or comments can be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
