"We All are Partakers" - Too

 "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:8 KJV)

  "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11 NLT)

 If you have ever had a chance to read a book called, "Hell's Best Kept Secret," then you might remember Ray's illustration of the two men on the airplane that are offered parachutes. One is given it and told that it would make him comfortable and feel safe. The other is given one and told that the plane is going down, and it was his only chance to stay alive. 

 It's been a while, but I do remember the first one took it off, because it really wasn't comfortable, and he also got laughed at for wearing it. While the other one, really didn't care about being uncomfortable, and even if people laughed at him for wearing it, he only warmed them that they needed one too. It's been a while, so excuse me if I left anything out. But I think you get the message.

 Peter is sharing about giving all your worries to God; which includes the trials which we go through. We have a great enemy, the devil, and when we are feeling as though our trials are overwhelming or too much to bear, he is always ready to give us a hand to back out and take off the Parachute...

"Jesus asked, "Do you finally believe? But the time is coming - indeed it's now here - when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."" (John 16:31-33 NLT)