IF TODAY THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLY AND LIFE FLOWS ALONG LIKE A SONG, BE PREPARED. THE STORM THAT IS BREWING WILL UNLEASH ITS FURY AND WILL TRY OUR FAITH AS BY FIRE.

THERE ---IS--- A FAITH THAT SURVIVES THE FIRES - THAT IS WHAT THE LORD IS TRYING TO WORK IN ALL OF US.

In golden youth when seems the earth,
A summer-land of singing mirth,
When souls are glad and hearts are light,
And not a shadow lurks in sight,
We do not know it, but there lies,
Somewhere veiled under evening skies,
A garden which we all must see ---
The Garden of Gethsemane.

With joyous steps we go our ways,
Love lends a halo to our days;
Light sorrows sail like clouds afar,
We laugh and say how glad we are.
We hurry on; and hurrying, go
Close to the border-land of woe;
That waits for you, and waits for me
Forever waits Gethsemane.

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden's gate;
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God pity those who cannot say,
"Not mine, but Thine," who only pray,
"Let this cup pass," and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.

(Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1948 on the trials
the enemy brings against us and what we must do to survive)

PRAYER: GOD, our Refuge and our Strength, help me today to build up the resources of my faith so when it shall be tried by fire, it will endure and I will be more than a conqueror. In Jesus name, Amen and Amen.

Who has ears let him hear what the Spirit saith...

via His Messenger
July 13th, 2008
7:15 PM