JesusWalk Bible Study Forum: Q1. The Value of Trials - JesusWalk Bible Study Forum

Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed?

Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed?

Speaking of values, trials have had immense value in my life. I have grown by leaps and bounds. Now my faith is so strong. Satan never stops trying me. (that's his duty) but I never cave in. The faith that the Lord has built up in me is too strong to cave in. Life threatening situations have not come to me, but in case they come, I can meet them with confidence in my Lord, who does good things to them that love HIM.

I have changed for the positive. I don't criticise my Lord when things don't turn my way. I submit myself to His will. I have learnt that the Lord's will is above everything else. Faith to trust our lives with HIM will provide solutions to many of our problems.

I am learning to submit to God's will and I understand that trials will eventually make me a better Christian. But, sometimes it's so hard to stay focused on that!

Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed?


I have to admit that as far as value goes I'm not sure that I have really grown much with my trials as of late but I also will not, by the grace of God, let satan destroy me.

My biggest trial lately has come from my church. I thought I was doing a good thing, but it created jealousy and hard feelings and I recently left my church.
I expect trials in my daily life, but I was blind-sided by such opposition in my church.
I'm trying to focus on the purpose for this particular trial. I truly felt called to work and teach there, and I know that I was making a positive difference, but obviously God has other plans for me. I guess it lead me to this online bible study, so that's one positive thing to come of it.

Morning Everyone!
Thank The Lord for this another day.
By His grace through trials and His Word He has taught me in everything to give thanks. It's a joy, not happiness, to know that if I stand faithful in and through my trials God can use it to strengthen my brethren. (Luke 22:32) I owe it to you to let God make of me what he created me for. He won't do that if I keep getting off of the wheel. Pray for me and God Bless

I had very hard trial in 2004. It almost destroyed me. But I finally cried out to the Lord and he sent a very Godly couple to help rescue me. They lead me through deliverance. After deliverance I saw that it was an unconfused sin in my life that let Satan have a foothold in my life. Through this foot hold he created a evil desire this evil desire let to the and the trial. But now thanks to the Lord and the trial he let happen that sin is rooted out of my life. Through this I have grown much closer to the Lord. Today my love for and my commitment to Jesus is much stronger then it was one year ago.
In 1John 5:4 it says that we are overcomers of the world. It does not say we can overcome the world it says we are overcommers of the world. Praise GOD

I love trials... sound crazy? probobly.

I have many trials but I get the fact that we can NOT go forward and go upward without them. Trials are painful but where there is a God purpose the enemy will attempt to steal, kill and destroy and yes I am an overcomer as well using trials as an opportunity to prove myself to my daddy in the sky.

Proven I want to be. I want to be perfected in Jesus Christ and I understand God's thoughts and ways are above ours. He takes every trial and turns it for good building us in Fruits of the spirit. My trials are nothing compared to the trials of Paul and Jesus or Moses. I live in unexplainable peace, THANK YOU FATHER.

My encouragement from God, What is man that we should consider and take to heart his ways or be consumed by his opinions? I don't live by man's law but God's. There is but one judge

There has been quite a trial in my life due to health issues the past year and a half. Yet, through them, I know the Lord has been working and I truly believe I have become stronger in the faith. This trial has taken the focus off "me" and put it where it should be - on "Him". He is my rock and my fortress.

He said it was never going to be easy to be a Christian. We will have lots of trials but we need to persevere and press forwad. I consider the valleys even more important than the highs. In my opinion, if you never experience the valleys, just the highs, you really cannot grow. He also tells us that in our weakness, He is strong. PRAISE HIM!!!!!!!!!

[quote name='Pastor Ralph' date='Dec 17 2004, 11:30 AM']Q1. (1:2-4)  What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed?[/QUOTE]
Good Morning Everyone :-) It is good to be here with you all. The value I have recieved from the trials in my life are that of Character In Christ. God is refining me. It's Awesome coming around, full circle sotosay, (I've sure come along way) or even part way and realize it in The Lord. When you realize Gods Word - Himself, and You in Him! and that it is so worth being Into Him. Oh wow!!! The understanding is marvelous.

The exposition say's - "2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds". and that's a quote

My Bible say's "James 1:2(kjv) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

I happened to do a Word study while getting prepared for this study on James 1:2 a few day's ago. I don't know why. I've never done one before. Just did it. Using Strong's concordance & dictionary with numbering. The translation is from Greek. And this was before I received the exposition and question. Here it is:

My = (3450)Srong's No., Greek Word w/o hyphens and marks, mou,- "of me"

Brethren = (80) adelphos - blood brother from the womb, or figuritive brother

Count = (2233) hegeomas - to lead, i.e. rule over (+ more ex.)

It All = (3956) paradeigmatizo - to show along side (the public), i.e. expose to infamy: - make a public example, put to an open shame. Doesn't mean you are put to an open shame. cont...

Joy = (5479) char - cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight, exceedingly joyful

When = (3752 hotan - whenever, inasmuch, while

Ye Fall Into = (4045) peripipto - to fall into something, i.e. all around, i.e. light amoung or upon, be surrounded with: - fall amoung (into)/

divers = (4164) poikilos - of uncertain dirivative; motley, i.e. various in character: - divers & manifold

temptations = (3986) peirasmos - a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experiences [of evil] solicitation, discipline or provokation); by implying adersity: - temptation. to try and not beyond that which ye are able of doing (look at 1 Cor 10:13 for that one) :-)1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Anyway, now here is what I got from the Word study

My Brethren rule over and put to an open shame (publically), cheerfully - exceedingly joyful (that would be to capture alot of good attention, and say it outloud what they would have you...), and then (be humble) in calm delight (so you can make your escape [if need be]), when or while you fall into something of various character, amoungst others; make your own guess :-) To prove them in that which they try you.

This Scripture is telling us how to deal with adversity, not just to consider it pure joy. Hallelujah God is our Creator our Father. Amen

Glad To See Ya(s :-) With Love, Lisa[/color]</span></span>
*** I know this is a long post already, but I just realized I was only focused on one part of the question and Scripture for that quesiton. so I'll finnish my answer

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

First off, the trials I mentioned to start this post, in which Gods Character is built up in me, is through being patient with myself mostly, as I go through the changes and repent - that is (change my mind, but not that only).

The trials aren't anything more then I could think of and call forth to happen, and patience comes as a result of not getting myself into that which I am able.

I find the more I study Gods Word, Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth(2Tim.?...) that now, when that thing comes around to see if I am still interested I am able to stand on Gods Word, holding fast to the Truth. Gods Word is my normal conversation now, and the confidence recieved from Understaning is even commanding respect from adversity. Peace! Like recently I found myself in a situation to where I was surrounded in a confined space by adversity, but you know what. God is What/Who is on my mind and heart, and so He and His Word is what I talked about. There was about 4 or 5 conversations going on at the same time, and I found one who was willing to hear what was on mind, so I spoke up, (On the Gospel of Paul - 1 Cor 15:1-5 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: Okay well, all of the conversations continued in an uninterrupted manner, even by my speaking, actually all the other tones got lower so they could hear with out letting eachother know that they wanted to hear. Oh, Wonderful Jesus. People want to know the Truth, so keep studying, keeping on with God, and they'll get there, and your good example in Christ will make it worth it for the carnal mind. Your perfect conversation in God commands respect, and the adversary will bow down or out and let you speak. Because they do too want to remember the Truth.

The blessing is (for me) the difference I make in somebodie's life who is trying to tempt me (that I may have invited over in the first place); by you speaking only the truth (2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)/// (it's okay to change your mind if you slipped into something of the flesh, just say why you changed your mind, and that is opprotunity to plant a seed as well). Yes, have your regular conversation, but don't be brought into a lie, nip all in the bud right then. Hold on, keep on with the Truth, hold fast to it, even when you slip, while admonishing those who would tempt you as Brother's in Christ, in whom, God Loves too, and by them seeing the Truth at work in you, wow, I am seeing the truth break through to some pretty lost cores lately, not bringing Glory to Myself, it is for God and yes we to recieve Glory in bringing God Glory.

Seeing the change in others, right before my very eye's, in speech, and in understanding of that what I told them. And seeing how they take what I have said and as I allow them to be who they are, and they start to tell a lie, and see that I see it; they instead of lieing further, turned around and apply what I said to what they just realized, and go deeper, and find release from the lie, forgiveness, and start calling it out on themselves. To see the lights come on in them, is Awesome. A time for Rejoicing. All Glory Be To God, Hallelujah to our Father who gave His only Son for us..., that we are presented to Himself as Righteous. We/Gentiles - being Sealed by The Holy Spirit the Moment we first believed (The Body of Christ). All of our sins are already forgiven us. That's what Jesus died for - The forgiveness of All our sin, past present and future. We are dead to sin in Christ, in which we died with Him on the cross, even though our flesh is carnal. Romans 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

And that's exactley It. Stay with the Word, because life will turn around for you, the more diligent you are on Understanding that which you already know. It was written on your heart before you were even born. You'll remember, and ohhhhhh, the freedom we have in Christ is nothing short of Amazing. If anybody want's private conversation about this, about studying Gods Word, please email me. I have so much for you from Christ. Praise God, He is so Beautiful and Precious. Amen

***PS - satan can not destroy me. God already Won!!!!

2004 was a really tough year for me. But what amazed me that for 18 months or more BEFORE the trial, God was preparing me by teaching me His Word and ensuring that I was immersed in the truth of Scripture before the trial ever hit.
One of my absolute favourite passages for trials is from 1 Peter 1. there Peter gives us the wonderful image of the silversmith, putting the metal into the fire, but watching so carefully, never leaving its side, and carefully skimming off the impurities until He can see His own reflection.
Even when we can't see the purpose, we can be 100% sure that God only works is perfect will in the life of a believer in order to bring us into conformity with the image of His Son.
That's a glorious truth, and it's on the basis of THAT that I can 'count it all joy.'

I realize through the trials and testing that come my way that God is always their when I reach out to him for help,thru my temptations he brings me though and gives me more grace

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Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed?

Ive had some very hard times over the last 18 years and i have to say ive grown the most in the battle of life when it comes to trusting my father God but i grew in love i think in the good times but the other thing i have learned is there will be more trails to come and i now never slow down just jump in the fire and let God get me passed the fire and away we go to the next one and i now feel his love 24 / 7 so yes im allowing God to refine me and the devil cant win he can only block me for a while sometimes but God shows me and teaches me how to run and side step him or just slip by and never slow up his change is great i never worry about things.because he will see to it that we all have everything we need to get to him and he will be waiting for us to come home im full of his GRACE !!!Jesus in me & me in Him and with al our brother an sisters we cant lose
GRACE an PEACE to all

[QUOTE]

I have faced numerous trials this past year. I lost my job, my father got sick and died, and my ability in teaching and preaching has been called into question by one of our elders. All to often we want to ask why me. James has taught me to count my blessings. To consider these trials as a means to strengthen my endurance in Christ. It is not easy, as humans, we want to know why. But we can get stuck on the why question and take our eyes off Christ. This not to say we should never examine ourselves. The apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Cor. 11:28, 2 Cor. 13:5 and Gal. 6:3-4 that it is important to examine ourselves. But when were facing trials we need a better attitude than "why me".

Most of the time the value from trials is seen months or even years later. And often, I go through the same types of trials, always having to do with relationships. Am I not listening to the Lord, am I not learning. My hope with this study is that I reach a point where I can go from step A to step B.

As I'm sitting here thinking, I can tell that trust in God has a lot to do with it. I pray for discernment to hear the Lord's voice and not Satan's when it comes to relationships (people-pleasing, need for approval, aloneness vs. loneliness). I want to reach a point that Jesus is all I need. So often I say that, but since I keep coming up with the same problems over and over again, do I really believe that? I want to with all my heart.

To the question: I'm always trying to upscale my values and abide by God's will for me. I fall short all the time, but my lesson is Perserverance! Tempatation is nothing more then a habit. I fight tempatation in many phases of my journey, BUT I have a forgiving God, and he gives me strength through his words and teachings, to ABIDE. I'm learning all the time what it is to grow in values, and bible studies such as these keep me grounded in his will.
Thank you,
Debora

To the Q of what value has trials had in my life, Im happy to say GREAT VALUE

I learned very early on just how faithfull our GOD is and there is no detail to small or large for Him to work out and that He takes great delight when we place all our Trust in Him.

The first truth I learned is that the word of GOD is without error!!! I setteled that early on. You can not be a strong christian without understanding that the word of GOD is Alive and powerful. I understand that when you speak GOD'S word, He has predetermined that
His word would not return to Him void, but would accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it(Isaiah 55,11)
I understand you must be in line with His word in 1st John 5- 14,15

I like the words to a song Billy Fields wrote, God moves mountains every time, sometimes, one stone at a time

I know im running a race on the road we call Life and the only way to stay on course is to continually make adjustments and line up my walk with the word of GOD.

I aint sayin its easy or that I win all the time but I have used the GRACE of GOD to my advantage and like the book says, Forgetting those things that are behind and pressing on to the things before us and although I still to this very day marvel at the fact that as we will see in this study, GOD invites us to come to HIM 7 times 70 a day if needed and He will not find fault and with no harshness but with much tenderness teaches us how to overcome when we have a broken and contrite spirit

Like the song says, Im a winner either way, If I go or if I stay

When I look at the various trials in my life, I realize that I handle different ones better than others. Some trials I have learned a great deal from and become a stronger christian and a better person. Other trials I realize now that I need take a stronger stand in and count it all joy. Maybe the challenge for all of us christians is to examine all of our trials and figure out which ones we need to grow in.

We are told in the Scriptures to not think it strange when we are tried. What Satan and others who oppose us mean for our destruction, God means for our ultimate joy and good. I, too, have had many trials, but I have found that, although difficult, there is something very good about being desperate before the Lord and pressed hard to Him. These dark trials are the platform to witnessing God at work in ways that we don't see in the ordinary circumstances of life. It is a time to learn more about our utter dependence on the Lord, and a time to learn more about His great faithfulness to us. We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. We simply cannot lose!

Blessings,

Jodi in TX

I value highly these trials for they have given me more of a understanding of Gods word, have helped me to grow spiritually, have helped me to grow in the truth, have strengthened me, they have helped me to be more like Christ, and have deepened my faith in Christ, these trials has shown me how to trust in the Lord.
No satan did not destroy me for God refined me.
I have changed for my faith and love for Our Heavenly Father has deepened. I am more at peace not worrying about things, I am not afraid for the Lord will look after me.