Scripture for Today: James 1:2-4  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

My Chinese Mother-in-Law has wonderful taste in jewelry.  In the early fifties she bought a beautiful pearl broach in Hong Kong.  Because of her generosity, my daughters and I each have a beautiful pearl ring that came from this piece.  I am no expert on pearls, but the color and luster of that pearl is gorgeous.  I could never afford something like that today.  It amazes me that something so beautiful can come from an ugly lowly oyster!

The pearl is formed in an oyster as a protective gesture.  If a foreign substance slips in between its “mantle” and its shell, the mantle covers that irritant with layers and layers of its nacre.  Over time, the repeated secretion of that nacre is what eventually creates that beautiful pearl.

The making of a pearl reminded me of our verse for today.  The “pearl” of endurance is the beautiful result of faith-testing.  The irritant for the oyster can be likened to the trials and difficulties in life.  For the believer, every difficulty that tests faith is used for something positive.  Patient endurance brings us to completion.  Something ugly and irritating can be turned into something beautiful.

It takes a lifetime of trial and difficulties to produce a beautiful enduring strong spirit.  It is not a comfortable life but the end result is worth it.  Christ has promised to bring to completion what He has started in me (Phil. 1:6).

There is joy to know a “pearl” is in the making!  Thank you, Lord, for what Your loving tests are accomplishing in me!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)

Scripture for Today: Psalm 30:11-12  “You turned my wailing into dancing.  You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise You forever.”

My second daughter and her husband recently took Salsa dance lessons.  With its rhythmic nature they found it a real challenge!  Salsa is a style of dancing evolved from the Cha cha cha and the Mambo mixed with Swing and Hustle.  It is a style that has also been influenced by Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean elements.

There is some disagreement about the origin of the name, “Salsa,” but I like the theory that the name refers to “sauce.”  Just as there are many ingredients to sauce, so this dance is a mixture of many different styles.  There is not one single country or culture that can take credit for its existence.

Our verse for today expresses the joy that is ours in the Lord.  He turns wailing into dancing.  What a turn-around that is!  The most dire circumstances can be turned into praise.  He transforms mourning into a joy that moves the feet!  It is hard to imagine that scenario when in the depths of despair.  But it is truth and it gives us hope.  Heart breaking sorrow will not last forever.  One day He will remove that sackcloth of regret and sadness and replace it with dancing shoes!

In His presence is fulness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)  The sackcloth is still part of my wardrobe, but I can have an inkling of the joy and lightheartedness that is to come every time I feel His presence.  Like King David who danced alongside the ark of the covenant, I can feel and express His joy!

May my praise to Him be loud and clear today and always!

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to ministry schedule)

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

Sorting trash while living in France took quite an effort!  Garbage disposals do not exist there so biodegradable trash grew very stinky being picked up only once a week.  There are communal bins for glass, a recycle center for wood and electronics, and a once-a week pick up for recyclables as well as normal trash.  It could be very confusing!  When guests came I hated to bother them about where to throw their tissues!

Our verse for today tells us about something believers should never throw away; our confidence!  That confidence allows us to persevere in doing what God wants.  The believers addressed here had suffered being thrown in prison and having had their property confiscated!  Their treatment was unfair but they were told to stay confident that God would richly reward them for their sacrifice and perseverance.

One who has thrown away their confidence is one who no longer believes the suffering is worth it.  When the going gets tough it is just too much.  Abandoning the faith for an easier life, they forgo the reward for their perseverance that would have been theirs.

I can respond in one of two ways to a life-changing crisis. I can either blame God and run away from Him, or I can run to Him for the comfort and encouragement that only He can give.  My faith and confidence, rather than being thrown away, grows and strengthens when I choose that second response.

I do not know what hard thing may await me.  But please God, do not ever let me throw away my confidence!