FROM TODAY'S READING (7/30/2014)...
"There is no painless path to heaven. Why? Because Jesus said, 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' And it is no more possible to become pure painlessly than it is to be burned painlessly. Purity comes through the refining fire."
- Pastor John Piper
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
