For those of you who are true followers of Jesus Christ you know that as we continue to walk down this road called life we will go through many difficult trials and times of unbearable heartache, as well. It’s during those difficult times, however, that God gives us His grace that is always sufficient, His strength that is always made perfect in our weakness (1), and His peace that surpasses all human understand (2) –if we turn to Him and not lash out at Him in anger. Even then He understands. Yes, there will be times when we may be angry, disappointed, and confused by the circumstances that we may face in life, but we must choose to trust Him and remember that it’s during those trials that our faith is being tested to see if it is genuine or not (3) and that we become conformed more and more into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ so that we can reflect His glory (4) to a spiritually lost and dying world.

I hope that the next time you face a difficult time you will keep that in mind so that you can reflect His glory to all who are watching you live out life one day at a time, resting and trusting in Him. Those who do not have Jesus Christ need to see the difference in our lives and the reason for the hope that we have (5) so that can share His love and truth with them while there is yet time.

SCRIPTURES FOR YOU TO REFLECT ON

(1) “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9,10

 

(2) “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9

 

(3) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9

 

(4) “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

 

(5) “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:15-18

 

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:10-12

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:2-8

 

Thank you very much for stopping by today.

God Bless You

Mary K Dalke/Reflections Of His Glory Photography

Reflecting the beauty of God’s creation through natural and creative photography styles.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:41)

All Scriptures from biblehub.com Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are from the NIV translation.