Women's Focus Ministries: Friday Writings......4/1/15

Good morning everyone...

Today we are putting an end to this date being April's Fool Day. Our WFM retreat begins today. To my knowledge there are not any fools coming to it. If anyone is even a little bit foolish that will change as they learn how to remain hopeful in challenging situations,

That said I want to wish you a...H A P P Y

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Names of God

So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it
The Lord Is Peace.

Judges 6:24

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April Writing from Cathy Friberg

of the WFM monthly writing staff.

APRIL SHOWERS

I grew up in a simpler time when kids loved to play outdoors. Our games and activities were so folksy and unassuming...... "Red Light Green Light, Mother may I,Hide N Go Seek, and climbing trees and building forts." What a contrast to today's Cyber childhood! The point is, however, that being outside was a big draw for us. When springtime came, we felt we were entitled to an end to the drudgery of winter. However, there were those days when vernal rainstorms found us cooped up in the house once again. We'd whine and complain only to hear Mom chant,
"April Showers bring May flowers."

Every spring that little saying comes to my mind bringing back memories of days gone by. This year, however, I began to ponder the meaning of that adage, and the Lord related it to some concepts from His Word. There are those seasons in our lives when circumstances are less than ideal, bringing unwanted loss or setbacks to us. Suffering due to illness, persecutions because of our Christian faith, challenges with family, financial reversals, and relationship problems can all bring distress and discouragement. As we all know, the believer's life is not immune to adversity. Like children on a rainy day we can be so tempted to moan and lament when troubles come our way.

The Bible encourages us, however, that we should actually

"Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters,

whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that

the testing of your faith (through experience) produces endurance

(leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace.)

And let endurance have its perfect result

and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect

and completely developed (in your faith), lacking nothing."

James 1:2-4 AMP

Likewise, 2 Corinthians verse 4 reminds us that,

"Our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an eternal glory

that far outweighs them all."

NIV
The Word also declares that,

" We also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance."
BLB

And finally, 1 Peter 1:7 states that,

"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."

NLT

These scriptures can give us hope to hold on to when we find ourselves in the midst of painful situations which are so difficult to make sense of. We are headed for the brightest of futures in a Kingdom which has no end. When the path is arduous, know that their is purpose in the final outcome. Our character is being fashioned by the Master Craftsman. He will produce in us fruit which is "fit for a King."

By Cathy Friberg