Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 26
Saturday


BOWLING
A GOOGLEY

READ:
1 Peter 4:12-19
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Do not think it strange
concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you,
... but rejoice to the
extent that you partake
of Christ's sufferings.
__1 Peter 4:12-13
_____________________________________________

George Bernard Shaw once said, "England and America are two countries separated by a common language." An example from the world of sports demonstrates his point.

As a lifelong baseball fan, I'm familiar with the term curveball. It's a ball thrown by the pitcher in such a way that it changes direction, fooling the opponent. In cricket, the strategy is similar but the word is very different. The bowler (pitcher) tries to overcome the batsman by "bowling a googley" (pitching a curveball).

Though games and cultures differ, the concept of the curveball portrays a reality familiar in any language. Life is full of times when we are unsuspectingly "bowled a googley," and we find ourselves overwhelmed. In those moments of fear and confusion, it's comforting to know we have a God who is sufficient for any challenge.

Trials are to be expected (1 Peter 3:12). Yet we may well be shocked by the circumstances facing us. But God is never surprised! He permits our trials, and he can enable us to respond to them in a way that honors Him.

when we suffer, we must "commit [our] souls to Him in doing good," wrote Peter (v.19). In God's strength, we can face life's most troublesome curveballs. __Bill crowder
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````````````````````````FOR FURTHER STUDY```````````````````

```````````How are we to cope with life's inevitable troubles?`````````
```````````Read Navigating The Storms Of Life on the web at`````````
``````````````````www.discoveryseries.org/hp061````````````````
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Nothing surprises God.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 4:12-19*************

12 Beloved, do not think it
strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing
happened to you; 13 but
rejoice to the extent that
you partake of Christ's
sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may
also be glad with exceeding
joy. 14 If you are reproached
for the name of Christ,
blessed are you, for the
Spirit of glory and of God
rets upon you. On their
part He is blasphemed, but
on your part He is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer
as a murderer, a thief, and
evildoer, or as a busybody
in other people's matters.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not be
ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter. 17 For
the time has come for
judgment to begin at the
house of God; and if it
begins with us first, what
will be the end of those
who do not obey the gospel
of God? 18 Now "If the
righteous one is scarcely
saved, where will the
ungodly and the sinner
appear?"

19 Therefore let those who
suffer according to the will
of God commit their souls
to Him in doing good, as to
a faithful creator.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

When Peter wrote this letter, Christians were experiencing hardships
due to persecution. Rome had been burned to the gorund, allegedly
by Emperor Nero (AD 64), but the blame shifted to the Christians.
Peter encouraged the believers to respond appropriately to
persecution and hardships. They should expect them (1 Peter 4:12),
rejoice in them (vv.13-14), understand they are for Christ's sake
(vv.15-18), and trust in God (v.19). __Sim Kay Tee

[lizzie]

hehe cimi

I saw the title of this and immediately thought , hmm i wonder how many people are gonna wonder what in the world a googley is

I come from a cricket country myself Cool sport

Amen sister. We should definitely hope for the best, but be prepared for the unexpected Trials will come, and the enemy will keep shooting those fiery darts, so we must always be suited up with our armor, trustin that no matter what comes, God goes before, after and at our side.

Thank You Jesus

and thank u cimi

luv u sis
GBU