JUST IN TIME

We got more bad news yesterday.  The state of Florida will be under a “Stay at Home” order beginning tonight at midnight.  When I heard the news, I was so disappointed. As a staff we spent hours Tuesday planning a Good Friday evening service online that would include doing the Lord’s Supper.

To make the elements of the Supper available to all, we worked out an elaborate plan for a safe “drive thru” distribution at the church and delivery for those who needed it in Good Friday Bags!  We were all excited about doing it!

Then the news came yesterday afternoon.  It meant we could not do the drive thru, hence we could not get the grape juice and unleavened bread to most of our people.  We can and will still be doing the Good Friday evening service online at 7 pm, April 10, but we cannot do the Lord’s Supper. I was bummed!  I felt like my own faith was being tested!
And probably it was!  Another goal God often has for us in times of adversity is to purify our faith.

Why does our faith need to be purified?

• Because faith is essential in pleasing God.

​
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

• Purified faith glorifies God.  

​
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV)  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  

There are two ways trouble can help purify our faith:

• By leading us to stand fast against those who mock God’s principles.
• By leading us to repent and confess when we have violated God’s principles.

  Either way, the byproduct is patience. 

James 1:2-3 (NKJV)  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

I had to repent of being irritated at something God allowed for my and others good and for His ultimate glory.  And I came out with a purer faith and MORE PATIENCE!