DESIRE, ENTICEMENT, SIN

James 1:14-15

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Personal Challenge

To continue the discussion on temptation, James takes us through the progression that ensues, leading us to sin. It is important for us to always remember that temptation is not sin. To the contrary, temptation is often a test to help us confirm where we are in our relationship with God. Temptations come in so many different forms and at many different times throughout our day. It is up to us to choose to reject or ignore the temptation and therefore kill it at that point. If we choose to submit to the draw of the temptation and let our passions and desires be enticed, then we are starting on that path to sin. We can still pull ourselves back to a place of purity. When our passions and desires are conceived, sin has been given birth within us. As followers of Christ we are blessed by His love and forgiveness of the ensuing sins that we commit. Our challenge in life is to catch these temptations before they take root and remain true to our Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

THE WAY

Isaiah 26:7

The way of the godly is straight; and the way of the godly is prepared.

Personal Challenge

We are living in a day where so many people proclaim to be godly, Christian people, and yet doing things, and specking in ways, that are so contrary to God’s straight and prepared ways. Just calling yourself a Christian and wearing a cross around your neck does not necessarily make you a follower of Christ. I am not to judge a person’s heart for only God can do that, but I am told to be aware of the fruit of one’s labor as well as my own fruit. God’s way is straight. God’s way is prepared… by Him, for His ways. My responsibility is to strive to live in a way that is godly in His eyes. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

“HE” MADE ME DO IT

James 1:13

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Personal Challenge

There used to be a sitcom with Richard Pryor where one of his famous lines was, “The devil made me do it. “We are so accustomed to blaming someone else for our bad behavior. This is so apparent with our politicians today, especially our president, who spend all their time blaming other parties or prior administrations for the consequences of their own poor choices. We must understand that we are each responsible for our own choices and the resulting consequences. Most importantly, we cannot blame God for the temptations in our lives, or our choices. We must own our responsibility for the temptations that we set ourselves up for. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have
mercy!

100 DAYS

Isaiah 26:2-6

Open the gates; let the people enter who keep righteousness and guard the truth, and who lay hold of the truth and keep peace, because they hope forever in You, O Lord, the great and eternal God, who humbles and brings down those who dwell on high; the strong cities You will cast down; You will bring them down to the ground. The feet of the gentle and the humble shall tread them underfoot.

Personal Challenge

So many people believe that the Scriptures are no longer relevant. I disagree with that. The Scriptures are the living Word of God and always relevant. This is why we do not read all of it as literal. This passage in Isaiah was written around 2,700 years ago and its what we are seeing today. We need more Isaiahs to be doing God’s real work in this world, our country specifically, taking care of those in need and without resources. If we yield to, and follow God’s truth, we will be part of the gentle and humble treading upon those who are in power for the wrong reasons. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have
mercy! Lord, have mercy!

WHAT IS MAN

Psalms 144:3 (143:3 LXX)

O Lord, what is man, that You are made known to him,
Or the son of man, that You consider him?

Encouraging Words

It always amazes me that God, the Creator of all, the Sustainer of all, still chooses mankind, men, women, and children to work His wonders and miracles in the world that we live in. He could do it so much better, and quicker, without us, but He uses us as His agents, His ambassadors, to those who do not know Him so that they can be brought home to Him. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week
St. Anthony the Great

HEAR ME

Psalms 141:1-2 (140:1-2 LXX)

O Lord, I have cried to You; hear me;
Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You.
Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Encouraging Words

For followers of Christ, God is not some abstract being, dead religious pundit, or conceptual practice. He is a living God who is active in our lives. He hears us when we pray to Him. His desire is that we continually call out to Him, sometimes in supplication, sometimes in praise, but always in sincerity. Our prayers can raise up to Him just as the smoke of incense raises to the sky as it burns. May we burn for Him and lift our hearts, our minds, and our hands to Him in prayer. Glory be to God!

HE IS THERE

Psalms 139:7-14 (138:7-14 LXX)

Where could I go from Your Spirit,
Or flee from Your face?
If I should ascend into heaven, You would be there:
If I should descend into Hades, You would be there;
If I should take up my wings at dawn
And pitch camp at the furthest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand would lead me,
And Your right hand would hold me.
And I said, “Perhaps darkness shall cover me,”
But the night shall be light to my delight;
For darkness shall not be dark because of You,
And the night shall be bright as day;
As its darkness, so also shall be its light.
For You possess my heart, O Lord;
You took hold of me from my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You,
For I am fearfully and wondrously made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And my soul knows this very well.

Encouraging Words

No matter where I am in life; no matter how dark or bright the situation; God is there with me, I am not alone. Never have been, never will be. Thanks be to God!

Special note: Today is the eleventh anniversary of my father’s repose and my youngest sister reposed two days ago. May their memory be eternal.

ENDURING TEMPTATION

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Personal challenge

It is one of our inate human traits to desire to be blessed. We were created with this in us as part of need to be in relationship with our creator. One way to be blessed is to resist temptation. This fallen world is full of temptations that will attempt to pull us away from God. It is God, through His Son, that we are given the ability to resist these temptations. So the provider of the blessing also gives us what we need in order to receive the blessing and all the benefits that go with it. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

NOT AFRAID

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my Savior and Lord. I will trust in Him and be saved by Him. I will not be afraid, for the Lord is my glory and my praise. He has become my salvation.

Personal Challenge

As a follower of Christ, I am thankful that God is my Savior and Lord. I have chosen to trust in Him and be saved by Him, and have seen His awesome work in my life, and the lives of my loved ones, so many times. Because of who He is, and who I am in Him, I am not afraid. He is my glory and my praise. Glory be to God!