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InTouch Early Light Devotional Saturday November 6, 2004 How to Advance Through Our Adversity ROMANS 8:18, 26-28 What would happen if we approached a fork in the road and found two signs, one reading "Road of Comfort" and the other, "Road of Adversity"? We would veer onto the Road of Comfort with a sigh of relief, wouldn't we? None of us wants to experience even one single unnecessary moment of pain, disappointment, or loss. Yet God's Word tells us affliction is inevitable. (John 16:33) The good news, however, is that for the believer, there is always purpose in it. (Romans 8:28) Purpose #1-Adversity reveals our view of God. If we feel like victims in the trial, then our belief in His sovereignty is not solid. If we become fixed on our negative circumstances, then our faith in His good purposes is shown to be shaky. The more clearly we understand who God is, the deeper and stronger our faith will be. Strong faith will keep us steady. Purpose #2 Adversity teaches us the truth about ourselves. Many of these truths could not be learned any other way. For example, through financial loss, we learn the true priority of material things in our life-we may find our identity has been wrapped up in our jobs or bank account. If our suffering is due to another person's words or actions, we discover how willing we are to forgive. We also learn about our capacity to endure in the face of great difficulty. Scripture exhorts us to use our adverse experiences wisely so that we will progress in Christian maturity. As we become like Jesus-in both our view of God and our character-we will please our Father greatly. * * * Prayer Team Join the In Touch Ministries Impact Prayer Team and receive your free Personal Battle Planner devotional and prayer journal. http://www.intouch.org/prayerteam/index_38205069.html Free Online Study Take this free four-lesson study modeled after Dr. Stanley's latest series, America at the Crossroads. http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/exploring/studies/AATC_39235013.html >>> Share the good news <<< Please forward this message to a friend! FREE Christian Book http://l.salemweb.net/swnoffer0203/ ____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________ * This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. To unsubscribe from this newsletter immediately, simply click on the link below. If this link is not clickable, simply cut and paste it into the address bar of your browser. http://www.salememail.com/unsub/209/1698058.aspx * Copyright � 2004 Salem Web Network and its Content Providers. All rights reserved. 1698058 ____________________________________________________________ TRINITY COLLEGE & SEMINARY OFF CAMPUS & ONLINE Experience Personal & Ministry Growth Through Bible-Focused Degree Programs Associate and Bachelor of Arts Master of Arts, M.Div., Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Ministry http://l.salemweb.net/tcs2003tr/footer/ ____________________________________________________________ Questions or comments can be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
