August 3– 9 Trials Make Us Grow Up James 1: 2– 4

Trials Make Us Grow Up
James 1: 2– 4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Counting - Knowing - Growing

We can count on it. Trials will come. James says - don't be surprised or think it's some strange thing that should not be happening to you. In fact, he says, "count it all joy". Rejoice? Yes, be glad that God has seen fit to provide you with an opportunity to grow. Just like the little seedling in our picture, growing strong through adversity.

Knowing this, knowing for sure that's it's coming, knowing for sure that it's for our good (remember Romans 8:28) we can weather the storm. Runners sometimes practice with ankle weights on. When the weights are off their feet can fly and they can run faster. So it is with our souls, when the weight of trials has passed, when the darkness has given way to light, then we can fly, we can soar, we can mount up on wings like eagles.

Growing up. Becoming mature and settled and steadfast. More and more conforming to the image of Christ. Is that easy? No, of course not, but it is worth every effort. Let us pray for each other. As always, thanks for listening. Be Blessed. Lesile

July 27-August 2 God Limits Our Temptations 1 Corinthians 10:13

God Limits Our Temptations

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Temptation takes you to an opportunity to sin whether it is sex, lying, stealing, covetousness, greed, pride, uncontrolled anger or any other sin. It is an invitation, an open door, a beckoning to fulfill some fleshly, worldly urge. Every man, every human is tempted. It is part of the human condition (such as is common to man), part of man’s way. The source of the temptation does not matter – every human is tempted.

But God is faithful - picture us so easily beset, addicted, waylaid, distracted and then picture God, constantly faithful:
Constantly :
watching
available
able to rescue
loving
aware of our frame.
Faithful to :
limit the power of the temptation.
match the degree of temptation to the degree of our ability to resist.
provide a “back door” for us to go out of – using our will to escape.
Every temptation comes with two sides, a fork in the road – right or left, two doors, a way in and a way out. When I make the right choice I do not have to continue to suffer the urge to sin. I am delivered, I am free.

Let us pray for each other!! Be blessed. Leslie