QT 1 Peter 1:6-12

6 -7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

Aggravation! LOL.... This makes me chuckle just a little, ok really it's more of a sarcastic giggle. I am currently being tested more than I thought I would be. I've already been through the financial crisis more than once, why is this happening again? So, when Peter says that I'll come out of that fire refined... well, I guess that's why I'm in this fire. I know that all that happens in my life is for a reason, even though I never really know why. So, I read this are realize that my faith is being put to the test and in that fire. It's the only true way for me to get stronger in my faith. My faith will be His victory.

8 -9You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.

Today I cannot see Him. I know He's with me, but I'm just struggling to see Him. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I must keep believing that HE will pull me through this.

10 -12The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!

So, Jesus suffered then was glorified. Well... I guess that's why we're still a suffering people. How fortunate? Hmmm... some days I feel that my salvation is the only thing I have going for me. That would be today. I am totally greatful for Jesus dying on the cross for me. Every time I think about this, I wonder why. I know I am not worthy of that gift.