Crushed Grapes

More than that we rejoice in our suffereing,

 knowing that suffereing: produces endurance, 

 and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope and  hope produces no shame,
because Gods love has been poured our into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed-- you can not drink grapes.
Grapes become wine only when they have been crushed.

Miracle

GOD came to me one day. I asked him to show me a miracle to prove that we was really GOD. HE then pointed to a tree. I was perplexed, "that's not a miracle" I replied.  Then he simply asked "Can you make one?"

Sometimes we get so caught up in everyday mess that we do not stop to see what God HAS done and made for us. All the miracles he HAS created. But, instead, we focus what we do not have and what we think he has not done for us.

Carrots, Eggs, and Tea

A young woman when to her mother and told her that she could not take it anymore. She was tired of struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. The mother boiled water in three pots. In one she put carrots, one eggs, and the last a tea bag.

After 30 min she took out the carrots, eggs and poured a cup of tea. After examining them her mother showed her the soft carrots, hard egg and sipped the cup of tea. Her mother explained that each of these objects faced the same adversity--boiling water. However, each responded differently...

The carrot when put in the water was strong, hard, and unrelenting, however, when subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became week.

The egg had been fragile. The thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through boiling water, its inside became hardened.

Then when the tea grounds were added they were unique. They changed the water.  When the water gets hot, the tea released fragrance and flavor.

When adversity knocks, how will you respond? When things are at there worst, you become stronger and change the situation around you.

Endurance

He makes everything beautiful in its own time Eccl 3:11

ENDURANCE is the ability to keep pressing on without growing weary. It is STAMINA, forbearance, courage, fortitude, durability and the ABILITY to STAND.

Biblical endurance is more than being the last man standing, it is HOPEFUL waiting and the OUTLOOK we maintain while we run the race.  God not only can change my circumstances but he WILL.

Broken

When you fracture or break a bone a calcium ring forms around the afflicted part until it heals. From this point on this is the strongest part of the entire bone.

"It was good that I was afflicted so that I might learn your decrees" Psalm 119:71

Assurance in Gods Purpose

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose Romans 8:28

Its not "scriptural" to say that " all things are good" some are painful, and hard to bear-- But look at the ingredients of a chocolate cake: sugar-flour-eggs-cocoa- baking soda- etc, If you tasted each ingredient one at a time they would be disgusting, however, mixed and cooked at the right temp, you get something delectable! Just like your life, it will all turn out amazing.