It’s a New Year. What can you or I do better this year?

In the midst of setting new goals or resolutions, it’s important to realize that when we are trying to change or improve or grow, trials and hardship will still come.

Like a fire threatens to destroy, trials and challenges can threaten to destroy our growth.

As Dan points out in this lesson, fire threatens, but it also provides opportunity. In fact, he says, we should welcome the fire.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:10-14

 In this passage, Paul outlines the importance and significance of the church and the role we play in “building” it up.

Do we cherish the church? Even in the face of trial?