It sure would be convenient if I didn’t have to go through difficult times in this life. After all, I’m a child of God! Shouldn’t I have some sort of a badge I can flash whenever things get tough, so that the Lord’s enemies know to back off? Well, Pastor Jeff teaches us today that things don’t exactly work like that. Sometimes, God allows us to go through trials so that we can learn and grow from the struggle. He will still deliver us, but He wants to build a strong character within us so that we grow stronger.

What would you think if you paid to go on a tour of Paris, only to find out your tour guide had never been to Paris before and thought that the official language of France was Spanish? Your guide should have a deep understanding of the place they are giving you a tour of. Pastor Jeff wants to remind you today that the tough experiences he has faced in his own life allow him to empathize with your situation! He has learned to rely on God’s grace and will teach you how to do the same.

When I started seeing a new counselor, one of the first things that stood out to me was the different certificates he had on his wall. Not only did he have his college degrees displayed, but he also had other certifications that demonstrated his experience with various issues. Pastor Jeff wants to teach us today that Jesus has the ultimate certification to be our high priest. He mended the gap between God and man by taking on the sins of the world and dying on the cross. That certificate is written in His own blood!