May 31, 2015 – I Peter 1:6

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. I Peter 1:6Be happy!  Ah, we love that phrase and muster up fake smiles to show we are glad. But why?  This verse gives us the reason.  There is joy ahead!  The days may seem filled with storms and our spirit lags just as the heavy clouds above us, but joy is ahead.What is that kernel, that indescribable substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, and where can we acquire it?  It is not an over-the- counter-item at Walmart.  It is our complete belief and our trust in what we cannot see – God – and His power and love.  Why?  Because God loves us so much He sent his only begotten Son that we might be saved.  Jesus is coming, and those who believe, those who trust, those who love Jesus will find eternal life when He comes.Our faith is worth much more than gold.  It is much more precious than fine gold. Can we pass the test and truly have the faith?The prophets spoke truly, their words shine through time lighting our hope for when the great Day dawns and we are brought home.  Let the Christ, the Morning Star, shine brightly in our hearts each day.  Great is the Lord and greatly to be Praised with gladness.  Be glad, and again I say, Be glad.Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. II Peter1:19