July 22, 2010 (stream of adversity)

stream of adversity
photo by Lee Keefer

“Beloved, do not be amazed
and bewildered at the fiery ordeal
which is taking place to test your quality,
as though something strange
(unusual and alien to you and your position)
were befalling you.
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings,
rejoice, so that when His glory
[full of radiance and splendor] is revealed,
you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
If you are censured and suffer abuse
[because you bear] the name of Christ,
blessed are you[--happy, fortunate, to be envied,
with life-joy, and satisfaction
in God's favor and salvation,
regardless of your outward condition],
because the Spirit of glory,
the Spirit of God, is resting upon you.
On their part He is blasphemed,
but on your part He is glorified.”
- 1 Peter 4:12-14 AMP

“If we study the lives
of great men and women
carefully and unemotionally
we find that, invariably,
greatness was developed,
tested and revealed through
the darker periods of their lives.
One of the largest tributaries
of the RIVER OF GREATNESS
is always the STREAM OF ADVERSITY.”
- Cavett Robert