Note: the original series of articles was updated on 15 Aug 10. Additional articles were added and the final installment is being written now. Check it out today.

If you are like most of us, you are either facing a severe trial right now, just emerged from a trial – or, you are likely headed for some difficult situation very soon! So it is only natural that we continually ask… WHY?

I believe that the Bible offers just that kind of answer.  To discover more, follow the ongoing series of articles on this subject here: Series of articles on “The Purpose of Trials.”

James: Purpose of Trials
Excerpt… Recently, I saw that someone found one of my websites by searching on Google for the phrase, “Why does God give us trials?” First, let me say that I do not believe God causes the trials that come into our lives. Some are the result of our own actions, others result from the actions of those around us and some hardships occur to everyone in a particular location (like hurricanes). Since I believe that God is omnipotent (all powerful), I must conclude that He ALLOWS these things gto happen to us. But He does so because hardships become “object lessons.” The result of our trial should be that we learn and grow.

Click on the title of this post to go directly to the original article or – click here to go to the “James” website.

James: What does God want from me?

Excerpt from an article on the “James On Trial” website… If God’s plan for each of us is to give us hope, why do we have to endure such trials, hardships and pain. And why does He allow us to get into such despair? Well, the short answer is that God’s plan is that He wants us to experience a life of righteousness (James 1:20). This is the cornerstone of what the Book of James is all about.

Click on the title of this post to go directly to read the rest of this article or – click here to go to the “James” website.

Over the past few months, I have been studying “glory” as it relates to Christians today. It is common to see people (everywhere) struggling to get glory for themselves. But, in the Bible, we are told to take a different approach (cf. Philippians 2:4-8):

Then I read 1 Peter 4:14, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” This is a promise that – even though we should never attempt to steal the glory from God – our loving Father will bless us with a portion of the glory that resides in and around Him. That shekinah glory is the same as “rubbed off” on Moses so that he had to place a veil over his face before the children of Israel could look at him.

The Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “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.” In the King James Version it reads, “[we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory.”

I view this in the context of Romans, Chapter 8, where we find the “order of salvation.” The process (in verses 28-30) is that we move from the FOREKNOWLEDGE of God to his PREDESTINATION that (those He foreknew would accept His grace) should conform to the image of His Son. And, those who have been predestined, He CALLS, then JUSTIFIES and finally GLORIFIES! It is that final phase of salvation (glorification) where we receive a glorified body and no longer face the prospect of pain and death.

Now, since we are children of God and co-heirs with Christ, “we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). In the terms of someone (name forgotten) in my past, “God is giving us a little glory (the Holy Spirit) to go to glory in!” And, as we mature, we move from “glory to glory” (2Co 3:18, KJV) until the ever-increasing glory reaches the point of our being CHANGED and begin eternity with Christ!

Download my sermon outline at http://cogbishop.com/files/text/08/080921_everincreasingglory.doc. Here is a link to the audio file of that service…[podcast]08/080921_increasingglory.mp3[/podcast]

We all get frustrated that – in our view – justice is perverted and things just aren’t “right.” Wicked people seem to thrive & “have it all” & the more wicked, the greater their “benefits.” While godly people suffer & it seems to never end. Habakkuk challenged God, “How long is this going to continue?” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

The Psalmist asked the same question over a dozen times (along with other Bible writers). Job also asked the question in Job 7:19; 19:2 & in Job 24:1 he asked, “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment?” Job wanted to know WHEN it was going to stop! He wondered if God has set any limits on the pain that we endure. Read the rest of this entry »

“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert to whatever God will do next.” Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 3 & 4 (Message Translation).

It seems like everyone we know has spent their share of time over the past year “hemmed in with troubles.” Many of them spend a lot of time worrying about what they should do next and how things will turn out. Perhaps you’ve done the same. I know we have. But, thank God, there is a better way. Take a look a Paul’s approach in the midst of his own troubled times. Instead of worrying “what can go wrong next” Paul confidently anticipates “whatever God will do next.” He takes his eyes off his troubles and puts them on God. He anticipates God’s response to his situation and when it comes – gets in line with it.

I’m reminded of an example Zig Ziglar uses in his motivational lecture “My Spiritual Journey.” Mr. Ziglar shares, “The Israelites looked at Goliath and thought he was too big to hit. David looked at Goliath and thought he was too big to miss. It’s all a matter of perspective. The Israelites compared themselves to Goliath and believed they had no chance against him. David compared Goliath to God and believed he was way too small to have any chance against God. It’s not problems that are in the way of our progress, it’s our perspective of those problems.”

The Chinese word for crisis is two symbols. One is the symbol for danger. The other is the symbol for opportunity. If you have your eyes on the problems, all you’ll see is the danger. But, if you can focus yourself on the Lord, He’ll open your eyes to the opportunities.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.