a glimpse of heaven's love

 " For all this they sinned still and believed not"  Psalm 78 This is a scary but unfortunate story of God's wrath against the disbelieving and disobedient. What is really scary and unfortunate is the fact that so many Christians today act just like the Israelites spoken of in this psalm.  Many of us are like that.  The bottom line:  we want our own way; it's SELF that is on the throne, not God, like He so deserves. I.  The Ridiculousness of such a State              A.  God Delivered Them              B.  God Led Them                        i.  by a cloud by day                       ii.  by fire by night ...

When I think of the subject of maturing or growing, I think of the passage in James 1.  Verses 3-4 say this: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."   We need to realize that in order for us to mature or grow, we're going to have to go through testing or trials.  God knows that is the only way we're going to grow and mature…and He knows just what it'll take to get our attention, and produce the fruit that He desires.  When we're put under God's pressure cooker, our faith is forced to show what it's really worth.  How true, how strong our faith really is, is going to show forth.  On the other hand, it is in times such as this that we exercise our faith as well.  If we remain faithful, our faith and character is strengthened.  God works through a su...