The Perfect Storm

Supercell Thunderstorms

These are actual photos of what is called a supercell thunderstorm, which are said to produce copious amounts of hail,
torrential rainfall, strong winds and substantial downbursts that can dominate the local weather up to 20 miles away.

We sometimes face trials that make us feel like we are going through one of these and dominate our life,
but it is the only way that God can take us to where He wants us to go.

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James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
​But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;
​because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:3-5

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire,
​might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:6-7

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed,
ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 4:12-13

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LIFE'S TRIALS

God sat by a fire of seven-fold heat, as He watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze, as He heated it, more and more.

He knew He had ore that could stand the test, and He wanted the finest gold,
To mold a crown for the king to wear, set with gems with a price untold.

So He laid our gold in the burning fire, though we fain would of said Him, "Nay!"
(I don't want that trial)
And He watched the dross that we had not seen, as it melted and passed away.

And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright, but our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw but the fire, not the master's hand, and questioned with anxious fears.

Yet our gold shown out with a richer glow, as it mirrored a form above,
That bent o'er the fire, though unseen by us, with a look of ineffable love.

Can we think that it pleases His loving heart, to cause us a moment's pain?
Ah, no, but He saw through the present cross the bliss of eternal gain.

So He waited there with a watchful eye, with a love that's strong and sure,
​And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat, than was needed to make it pure.

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1 Peter 5:10-11

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
​make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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