Snapshots 
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BIBLE REFERENCES:

Psalm 34:7-8 (NIV) “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him”.

Psalms 37:23-27 (NIV) “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever”.

James 1:2-4 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Philippians 4:11(NIV)  “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
1 Peter 1:6, 7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

APPLICATION:

Sometimes I have to remind myself that there really is a higher purpose for my existence here on planet earth; more than just food, fun and fellowship. I have to remind myself that God is more interested in growing me up in the FAITH than he is in making sure I am comfortable and having a good time during my short stay here on the planet. 

Growing up in the FAITH is hard! Mature faith, trusting God, patience, longsuffering, self control, contentment and other godly characteristics are difficult to learn and acquire; and, there are no shortcuts. You need more patience? Well, God will see to it that you have plenty of situations that require it and you can learn from. You need more longsuffering; more self control, more contentment? There will be plenty of opportunities to learn these as well.

 Learn the lessons of life well, as God’s beloved child, and God will reward you for it. You balk, kick dust on God’s plans for your life and resist his teaching? Well - we don’t want to go there!
SNAPSHOT:

A PRAYER:

"God, help me to grow above the petty 'me first' attitude of life and learn the deeper, richer things you have in store for me.  Help me to grow up in my faith.