1. Men's Meeting November 7 at 8:00 AM October 21, 2009 Church Fellowship and Dinner November 14 at 1:00 Cloudland Canyon

2. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when HIS glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. We Christians do tend to think that we should not have to endure fiery trials: We are the children of Almighty God ; He should protect us from trials.

3. Fiery trials come for a purpose: To test us . If we are never tested , we don't know our weaknesses. If we don't know our weaknesses we don't know how to pray as we ought.

4. Our faith is tested that we might learn how fully we trust our Lord. Do I believe absolutely that God loves me and desires the best for me? Do I believe with all my heart that God is wiser than I; is His way the best way? Do I sincerely believe that God has the Power to do for me what is best, and will use His Power in my behalf?

5. We are tested that we may learn whether or not we will endure and remain faithful. Job 8 14 A man without God is trusting in a spider’s web. Everything he counts on will collapse. 15 If he counts on his home for security, it won’t last. 16 At dawn he seems so strong and virile, like a green plant; his branches spread across the garden. 17 His roots are in the stream, down among the stones. 18 But when he disappears, he isn’t even missed!

6. In the morning a spider web is wet with morning dew; clearly visible . It won't last . When it's gone, nobody cares . That's the way of a man who does not trust in God.

7. We are tested with fiery trials that we may learn whether our love for God is true , whether our faith will stand that we may endure, and finally : Did we mean it when we asked the Lord to save us from sin and be Lord of our lives? Were we sincere when we testified in Baptism that we had died to sin and were alive unto righteousness ? Will we stand with God, or will we cut and run ?

8. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice , inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when HIS glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. The Apostle Paul agreed with this and stated it even more emphatically : Be happy that we were counted worthy of suffering for Christ; the rewards are wonderful.

9. 2 Corinthians 11 -- Paul listed some of his trials : Hard labors, many times in prison, beatings, imminent death. Five different times the Jews gave me their terrible thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I was in the open sea all night and the whole next day.

10. Difficult travels, flooded rivers, robbers, Mobs of both Jews and Gentiles tried to kill him. "I have faced grave dangers from mobs in the cities and from death in the deserts and in the stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not." Weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Hunger and thirst, not enough clothes to keep warm 28 " Then, besides all this, I have the constant worry of how the churches are getting along:"

11. Romans 8 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with HIM , that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Are you going through a fiery trial right now? Trust God and be happy, and you will finish well .

12. As we learn our weaknesses and pray for help, we can grow spiritually stronger In the Power of His Might . Faith comes by hearkening to the Word of God. With sincere faith comes endurance to stand with God.