Bolt 42’s IC (4 Count) – 14 squats to halfway down. 14 squats halfway to full down. 14 full squats.
Cherry Pickers – 14 IC
The Thang
Explanation of the directive God gave Joshua in regard to the wall of Jericho and the importance He placed on the number seven(7). PAX conquered Jericho on this gloom in F3 fashion thanks to a phone call from Quattro planting a seed for a beatdown and quoting the verses from Joshua 6:4-5, 20-21 (NKJV). Round #1 – Karaoke around the circle switching directions at halfway and complete 7 hand release merkins. Round #2 – Nur around the circle and complete 21 LBC’s. Round #3 – side shuffle around the circle switching directions halfway and complete Aiken legs – 7 squats, 7 box jumps, 7 lunges (7 each leg), 7 split jacks (7 each leg). Round # 4 – high knees around the circle and complete ATM’s – 7 alternating “merkin” shoulder taps (Thanks Chappie), 7 tempo merkins, and 7 fast merkins. Round #5 – Lieutenant Dan around the circle and complete four count mountain climbers. Round #6 – Toy soldier march around the circle and complete a set of 7’s. 1 big boy, 1 merkin, 2 big boys, 2 merkins ascending up to 7 big boys, 7 merkins. Round #7 – mosey around the circle 7 times and complete ascending Burp & Merk’s up to 7 merkins at the bottom of each burpee. The twist for the entire beatdown is that we are going to repeat each of the previous exercises before starting the next lap around the circle.
Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust. Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.
F3 Message 12/21/19
The parable here this morning is that the Satanic group is trying to fortify or maintain a wall right here in Sussex County that will serve to block opportunities for the salvation of souls through the love of Christ Jesus. It is our duty as men of God to make sure those walls are reduced to rubble through our prayers, our witness, our testimonies, so that every child of God has the opportunity to choose a relationship with our Savior and not be held captive to any stronghold that the enemy may present. Faith in God can overcome and tear down any walls that Satan attempts to use to block the path that ultimately leads to the place that is already prepared for us in heaven. A place that was already bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. Listen for that still small voice or for that blaring trumpet, but always be ready when the Lord asks you to step out of your comfort zone. Somebody’s life may count on it, maybe your own…
Question: “What should we learn from the walls of Jericho falling down?”
Answer: The story of the walls of Jericho falling down, recorded in Joshua 6:1–27, is one that vividly demonstrates the miraculous power of God. But more than that, the utter destruction of Jericho teaches us several grand truths regarding God’s grace and our salvation.
The people of Israel had just crossed over the Jordan River into the land of Canaan (Joshua 3:14–17). This was the land of milk and honey God had promised to Abraham over 500 years earlier (Deuteronomy 6:3, 32:49). After spending forty difficult years wandering in the desert of Sinai, the people of Israel were now on the eastern banks of the Jordan. Their challenge: take the land of Canaan, the Promised Land. However, their first obstacle was the city of Jericho (Joshua 6:1), an unconquerable, walled city. Excavations there reveal that its fortifications featured a stone wall 11 feet high and 14 feet wide. At its top was a smooth stone slope, angling upward at 35 degrees for 35 feet, where it joined massive stone walls that towered even higher. It was virtually impregnable.
In ancient warfare such cities were either taken by assault or surrounded and the people starved into submission. Its invaders might try to weaken the stone walls with fire or by tunneling, or they might simply heap up a mountain of earth to serve as a ramp. Each of these methods of assault took weeks or months, and the attacking force usually suffered heavy losses. However, the strategy to conquer the city of Jericho was unique in two ways. First, the strategy was laid out by God Himself, and, second, the strategy was a seemingly foolish plan. God simply told Joshua to have the people to march silently around Jericho for six days, and then, after seven circuits on the seventh day, to shout.
Though it seemed foolish, Joshua followed God’s instructions to the letter. When the people did finally shout, the massive walls collapsed instantly, and Israel won an easy victory. In fact, God had given the city of Jericho to them before they even began to march around its walls (Joshua 6:2, 16). It was when the people of God, by faith, followed the commands of God that the walls of Jericho fell down (Joshua 6:20).
The apostle Paul assures us, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The description of the complete obliteration of Jericho was recorded in Scripture in order to teach us several lessons. Most important is that obedience, even when God’s commands seem foolish, brings victory. When we are faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, we must learn that our Jericho victories are won only when our faithful obedience to God is complete (Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 2:3; 5:3).
There are other key lessons we should learn from this story. First, there is a vast difference between God’s way and the way of man (Isaiah 55:8–9). Though militarily it was irrational to assault Jericho in the manner it was done, we must never question God’s purpose or instructions. We must have faith that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do (Hebrews 10:23; 11:1).
Second, the power of God is supernatural, beyond our comprehension (Psalm 18:13–15; Daniel 4:35; Job 38:4–6). The walls of Jericho fell, and they fell instantly. The walls collapsed by the sheer power of God.
Third, there is an uncompromising relationship between the grace of God and our faith and obedience to Him. Scripture says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). Although their faith had frequently failed in the past, in this instance the children of Israel believed and trusted God and His promises. As they were saved by faith, so we are today saved by faith (Romans 5:1; John 3:16–18). Yet faith must be evidenced by obedience. The children of Israel had faith, they obeyed, and the walls of Jericho fell “by faith” after they were circled for seven straight days. Saving faith impels us to obey God (Matthew 7:24–29; Hebrews 5:8–9; 1 John 2:3–5).
In addition, the story tells us that God keeps His promises (Joshua 6:2, 20). The walls of Jericho fell because God said they would. God’s promises to us today are just as certain. They are just as unswerving. They are exceedingly great and wonderfully precious (Hebrews 6:11–18; 10:36; Colossians 3:24).
Finally, we should learn that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). It is not enough to say, “I believe God,” and then live in an ungodly manner. If we truly believe God, our desire is to obey God. Our faith is put to work. We make every effort to do exactly what God says and keep His commandments. Joshua and the Israelites carried out the commands of God and conquered Jericho. God gave them victory over an enemy that was trying to keep them out of the Promised Land. So it is with us today: if we have true faith, we are compelled to obey God, and God gives us victory over the enemies that we face throughout life. Obedience is the clear evidence of faith. Our faith is the evidence to others that we truly believe in Him. We can conquer and be victorious through life by faith, a faith that obeys the God who gives us that faith as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Joshua 6 New International Version (NIV)
6 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 7 And he ordered the army, “Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord.”
8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the Lord went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 11 So he had the ark of the Lord carried around the city, circling it once. Then the army returned to camp and spent the night there.
12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the Lord and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted[a] to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.”
20 When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.
22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” 23 So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
24 Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house. 25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.
26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the Lord is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho:
“At the cost of his firstborn son he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”
27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.
12 men braved the 16 degrees for a 12 days of Christmas beatdown. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Warm up – IC
SSH- 15
Arm circles – 15 fwd. 15 back.
Squats – 15
Cherry picker- 15
Imperial Walker- 15
The Thang-
Mosey around block and come back to CHOP. ParkingLot
For 12 days of Christmas …(do in format of the timeless classic Christmas song )
1- side shuffles from pole to pole and mosey back to start for 1-6 , lt Dan back for 7-12..
2- burpees 1
3- hand release merkins 2,1
4- side straddle hop IC 3, 2,1
5- tricep dips- 4,3,2,1
6- mountain climbers ….5,4,3,2,1
Break for 3rd F
7- American hammers ….
8- good form merkins …
9- little baby crunches ….
10- alternating lunges ….
11- big boy sit ups ….
12- deep squats …
A little surprise for round 12….. we finished with 12 of EACH exercise
Name A Rama
COT
3rd F-
Duty Is Yours, Results Are God’s
By Jason Benham, Jul 10, 2019
John Quincy Adams once said, after losing case after case after case in a seemingly hopeless cause to set the slaves free, “Duty is mine, results are God’s.”
This sums up what every person should believe concerning the thing God wants them to do. We can’t focus on results, otherwise we’ll deal at the level of the mind and not the heart – we’ll try to figure out how to make the thing happen, when God wants us to just put our faith in Him and trust Him with our hearts.
A statement from the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:22 echoes this – “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there….”
Check this out:
“And now I am on my way to building this business, not knowing how it’s going to turn out.”
“And now I am going to have another baby, not knowing how I’m going to feed her.”
“And now I am going to tell the truth, not knowing if it’s going to cost my job.”
“And now I am going to expose the lie, not knowing what’s going to happen to my reputation.”
“And now I am going to stand and fight, not knowing if I will win or lose.”
See how this works – all we have to do is our duty, the one given to us by God. Let Him handle the rest. He’ll take care of the results.
When you keep your focus on God you will continue to operate at the level of the heart, which is where faith is found. You can trust Him, you don’t ever have to worry about the results.
Why: Why not? You’ll regret not being there if you miss it.
Q&A:
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Not a dime. But each PAX/M is asked to bring a pasta dish of your choice, salad, & dessert (just bring something to share)
Q: BYOB?
A: Drinks will be provided. But booze…I think is BYOB. Check with Ruxpin
Q: When should I RSVP?
A: Yesterday. Since you can’t do that hit up Ruxpin on the GroupMe or DM him so that he and Shawna can start to get a headcount.
Q: What if I have any additional questions not covered here?
A: Reach out to Ruxpin or Chappie in the Gloom or on F# First State FB or IG.
Thanks ahead of time to Ruxpin and his M, Shawna, for hosting this always-a-fun-time event. Let’s get together, celebrate Christmas and another year of F3, and enjoy some 2ndF beyond a morning workout (i.e. lets introduce our families to each other…)
PAX: Chairman(Q), Chappie, Chattahoochee, Fireplex, Gump, Leatherman, Quatro, Semi, Vanilla, Wild Wing & Special Guest: Ryan Mavity (Cape Gazette)
Warmups: All In Cadence 18 SSH 20 Moroccan Night Clubs 18 Windmills 18 shell pickers
The Thang: Bring Sally Up Merkin Challenge (lots of complaining and grunting!).
Mosey to drawbridge. Toy Soldier Set: 35 LBCs 20 E2Ks 15 Big Boys.
Bear Bridge: Crawl bear up bridge incline, Ltnt Dan across deck, Bear Crawl down bridge. 10 count. Nur up bridge incline, Ltnt Dan across deck, crab walk down bridge. 10 count.
Mosey back to Primis. F3 Message:https://f3nation.com/2019/04/06/mammon-q1-9/
The Thang 2: Abbreviated version of William Wallace. Pax in 4 Corners of BBall Court: 3 in 2 corners & 2 in 2 corners (Thanks Chattahoochee!). Half Pax run to middle and do 10 Burpees while other half plank. Pax in middle run back when done and switch. All Pax to middle for 25 American Hammers IC.
Number-O-Rama and Name-O-Rama. https://youtu.be/VssjeqmRUjs
COT prayers for Chappie nephew Aaron overseas, Danielle Briggs and family as she battles cancer, Vanilla & Summit brother-in-law Jay (pancreatitis), Chairman’s Dads upcoming tests.
Bolt 45’s IC (4 Count) – 15 squats to halfway down. 15 squats halfway to full down. 15 full squats.
Windmills – 15 IC
Mosey .5 miles to “Holy Freaking Hill”
The Thang
The Super Sheldon Cooper on a “freaking
hill” with a few of my friendly animals – Complete 10 Burpees, 10 Squats, 10
Merkins & 10 Big Boys. Nur up the
hill and mosey down and complete 9 Burpees, 9 Squats, 9 Merkins, & 9 Big
Boys. Crawl Bear up & mosey down and
complete 8 Burpees, 8 Squats, 8 Merkins, & 8 Big Boys. Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 7
Burpees, 7 Squats, 7 Merkins, & 7 Big Boys.
Inch worm up the hill and mosey down and complete 6 Burpees, 6 Squats, 6
Merkins & 6 Big Boys. Nur up the
hill and mosey down and complete 5 Burpees, 5 Squats, 5 Merkins, & 5 Big
Boys.
Time did not allow us to finish, but
below are the remaining evolutions as planned.
Dragon Crawl up the hill and mosey
down and complete 4 Burpees, 4 Squats, 4 Merkins, & 4 Big Boys. Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 3
Burpees, 3 Squats, 3 Merkins, & 3 Big Boys.
Boo Boo Bear Crawl up the hill and mosey down and complete 2 Burpees, 2
Squats, 2 Merkins, & 2 Big Boys. Nur
up the hill and mosey down and complete 1 Burpee, 1 Squat, 1 Merkin, & 1
Big Boy.
Mosey .5 miles back to CHOP
Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust. Welcome to FNG Thomas Bunting a.k.a. Radar. Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.
Ambassador
grad 1970. Pastor in Canada and Germany retired in 2017. On the Council
of UCG-Canada and COE of UCGIA. Wife Valerie is British. Four adult children, 14 grandchildren
and 7 great.
Give me mountains to climb
and the strength to climb them” was a line I once read. I grew up in the
mountains, and although we did not climb in the technical sense of using ropes,
pins and other devices, we did spend many hours walking the hills and
mountains. The majesty of the peaks makes clear the concept of the grandeur of
God the Creator. It is humbling.
Climbing produces many
benefits that I’ve found to be helpful: strong legs, building confidence in
tackling heights, considering where to place your foot for each step. They are
all lessons of good planning and enable the body to become stronger and more
physically fit. The sheer exuberance of completing the task makes one want to
stand on top of the peak and shout with all of your might.
One of the
most important benefits of hiking is pushing yourself beyond what you think are
your limits.
In the past, I have taken
teenagers and young children for longer hikes in the mountains. I find
resistance comes when they get tired and weary. That is normal. One of the most
important benefits of hiking is pushing yourself beyond what you think are your
limits. Human beings are able to go beyond what they think they can do. The
body may be putting a great deal of pressure on the mind to stop, but the mind
is able to override the complaints of the body and complete the task. There are
lessons learned and character built that will keep you in good stead for a
lifetime. One lesson you can learn is knowing when to rest or pause and when
to proceed.
The safest place for a ship
is a harbor, but ships were not designed for staying in a harbor. You do not
become a great sailor by staying in quiet waters. Great sailors learn to be
great by facing and conquering the most severe storms and conditions that the
sea can give. No one would advocate that a sea captain start his career in the
most severe storm. Usually, a person starts out as a helper and assistant. He
gains experience during smaller storms and slowly develops the qualities needed
to tackle problems with expertise and competence. The same applies to the
mountains that we climb in life—whether they are real mountains or the
challenges of daily life, physical struggles, emotional or
spiritual issues.
A hard trail
Almighty God is very careful
about inviting humans to become part of the first fruits and first
resurrection. We read in John 6:44 that only God the Father decides
whose mind to open. It is not the great of the world that He chooses (1
Corinthians 1:26-27), but those chosen definitely must be able to embark on a
hard trail. It is surprising how some seemingly unlikely people have great
inner strength. Those chosen will have great rewards that will make the
struggle worth every difficult step. It will take all the strength, determination
and effort that they are able to put forth along with God’s help to reach the
summit. God is a strong helper during all of the struggles, and Jesus Christ
intercedes on our behalf.
People who
are new to the mountains do not always appreciate the dangers hidden there.
They will learn through experience that there is a proper way to climb
a mountain.
In Matthew11:12 we are told
that forceful men lay hold of the kingdom God offers. Jesus called them
“overcomers” in several places in Scripture. The obvious conclusion is that a
person will have to look forward and glimpse the wonderful future with such
conviction that nothing will deter them from achieving the goal. Hebrews 11
records the suffering of many. In Hebrews 12:3-9 Paul explains that
we need to endure hardship as discipline; God is treating us as sons. Hardships
are the mountains God has given us to climb. We need to rely on God’s Holy
Spirit and use our minds and concentration skills for this daunting task. God
will supply what we need, with His only request being that we appreciate what
is happening and learn to love His ways. Age and physical abilities are not
factors in this spiritual expedition.
Luke 14:28-33 reveals
the need to count the cost before embarking on an adventure. We need to know we
are able to complete the task. It is certain that no person, by themselves can
accomplish this task. They neither know the way nor have the strength. God
gives us what we need.
It’s worth the climb
Mountains are climbed one
step at a time. There are periods of rest, traversing and planning. Our
spiritual mountain gives us similar challenges. In 1 Corinthians
10:13 Paul stated that God only gives us that which we can bear and helps
when temptations or hardship come. It is comforting to realize that we are not
alone and have a thoughtful Creator who will lift us up.
People who are new to the
mountains do not always appreciate the dangers hidden there. They will learn
through experience that there is a proper way to climb a mountain. They will
find out that the view from the top is breathtaking. This spiritual climb is
the only way that leads to eternal life, and it is worth every ounce of
expended energy.
It is probably true that most
people would rather avoid the strenuous and demanding task of climbing
mountains (real or spiritual). Most people avoid pain and suffering. The way
God chose for His people is a difficult and narrow path. Jesus Christ felt the
loss of many disciples when the way was too difficult (John 6:66). Even His
close followers fled in panic when they saw that Jesus was not resisting arrest
and torture (Matthew 26:56).
In the end, the reward will
be more than worth the struggle. This life is short and full of troubles,
whether we choose to follow Jesus Christ or not. This life is physical and
temporary. The life we hope for, pray for and suffer for is eternal. God places
this hope into the hearts of all people.
Climbing mountains is a great source of joy and satisfaction. How much greater and joyful are God’s mountains when He walks at our side. So then we can pray, “Give me mountains to climb and the strength to climb them.”
T.ALK-3RD F ON JAMES 1:22. WE TALKED ON HOW WE SHOULD DO THE GOOD WE ALREADY KNOW. AND TO LIKEWISE STEER AWAY FROM WHAT WE KNOW IS BAD…WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT APPRECIATION AND THAT NOBODY OWES US NOTHING.
MOSEY BACK TO CIRCLE FOR CIRCLE OF TRUST. GREAT JOB MEN!
Warm-a-Rama 20 semi wave. i/c 20 ssh. I/c Nur around circle 20 plank Jack. i/c 20 seal Jacks. i/c Side shuffle around circle 20 should taps. I/c 20 Windmill. I/c Side shuffle (opposite side) around circle 20 mountain climbers i/c 20 Cherry pickers. I/c
Thang Mosey to church on Bradford street
10 swerkins, 30 lbcs 10 swerkins, 20 e2k 10 swerkins, 10 big boys
Mosey to Ruxpin’s distillery
Pax planks while one HIM goes up steps does 3 burpees on top then back in line. X2
Mosey to Domino’s
10 chicken peckers i/c 20 flutter kicks i/c
Wosey to parking lot by court house
Semi suicides Nur, side shuffle, jailbreak, bear crawl, lt Dan, crawl bear, mosey, and lt danger
15 per side Curb/bumper merkin (one hand on bumper/curb)
Mosey to circle
Toy soldier set 50 lbcs 30 e2k 20 big boys
9 HIM showed today: semi, summit, Chappie, doubtfire, quarto, toy soldier, bovine, Ruxpin, Vanilla
Pax completed the Hindenburg BLIMPS routine from the Exicon. Q had brought this routine in the past during a weekly 45 minute workout, and time did not allow us to finish. So….we started all over….We modified the sprint portion to a straight line between four light poles that were approx. .02 miles apart. Sprint to pole #1, perform exercise at pole #1, sprint to pole #2, perform exercise, sprint to pole #3, perform exercise. Then to pole #4, perform exercise. Plank it up until all PAX are in. That completes one round. Reverse directions and perform the second exercise working back through the 4 poles. Round #1 – 10 Burpees. Round #2 – 20 Lunges (10 each leg). Round #3 – 30 Imperial Walkers. Round #4 – 40 Merkins. Round #5 – 50 Plank Jacks. Round #6 – 60 Squats. We modified the merkin round down to 20 at each pole, but picked them back up at 4 waypoints as we moseyed the .47 miles back to the Aegis.
Excellent cherry pie and fellowship (2nd F) was enjoyed at the coffeteria at Baxter Farms immediately following the beatdown. We all love Quattro’s Grandmother, and hope that we get invited back…….Quattro isn’t so bad either as he cuts a very generous slice….:)….
F3 message 09/28/19 –The 3rd F was shared from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries after completing round #4.
Good Wood – #6657
Now,
if I said I was going to give you the great secrets of hitting a baseball, I
don’t think you’re going to go right out and try them. You’re going to be
skeptical, and you should be. But if one of the game’s greatest hitters were to
tell you the secret of hitting a baseball, well now you should pay attention.
Pete
Rose actually was one of those, and he was once interviewed for an article in
Sports Illustrated, and I like the title. It’s called Good Wood. And he said
that he liked a heat-treated bat. Now, I didn’t realize this, but he said that
you put the bat through an intense heat and that the heat would seal the pores
and it actually made the bat hit harder. Well, it worked for him! I guess it’s
true, heat-treated bats hit harder. Well, you know something? So do
heat-treated people.
I’m
Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Good
Wood.”
Now,
our word for today from the Word of God is found in Romans 5:3-4, and it talks about, well, heat treating. Here we go. “We,
also, rejoice in our sufferings because we know suffering produces
perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope.” Those are
curious words. “We rejoice in our suffering?” This doesn’t mean that
Christian suffering feels any better than non-Christian suffering. It doesn’t.
It feels about the same, whether you’re a Christian or not. But if you’re a
believer, pain is just as painful, unemployment is just as demoralizing, and
pressure is just as stressful.
But
you rejoice, not because it feels better, you rejoice because in Christ, pain
has a point. A minus can be made into a plus. Suffering can be made into
perseverance, character and hope. Just ask Pete Rose’s bat. He said that heat
heals up the holes in the bat and makes it more solid. Well, could it be that
the heat that you’re undergoing right now is heat-treating you and the holes in
your life are being healed up by it and you’re becoming more solid because of
it? The heat you’re feeling is not to burn you up, even though it feels like
you might not make it through it. It’s to make you strong; to build into you
great perseverance, great character, great hope.
Right
now you are in a position to learn more about the resources of God than any
person who’s in a comfortable setting. Sure you’d like to be comfortable again.
I hope you will be. Sure you’d like this insecurity, this pain to pass. But
right now you have a chance to know the resources, and the power, and the grace
of God more deeply than you and those around you perhaps have ever known. You
are learning, or you can learn, how to wait, how to overcome, how to really,
urgently, desperately pray.
Perhaps
you’re being forced to close up some of the holes in your life; weaknesses,
un-confessed sin, broken relationships that have been called to your attention
by this hard time. Things you might not have given attention to any other way.
And you can, because of the fire, be forced to deal with the weaknesses that
you might otherwise still tolerate. And when you do, you have added a new kind
of strength.
The
fire turns spiritual wimps into spiritual warriors. So, rejoice as you see what
you are becoming or can become through heat-treating, and only through
heat-treating. You are becoming a heavy hitter in the hands of Almighty God.
