“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬

Have you ever wondered why God would not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able and why He would provide a way of escape ?  The last part of the verse is clear, “…so you will be able to endure it”. God wants you to succeed! He gives you an option to make the right choice just as Joseph did with Potiphar’s wife.  David had an option to stop looking at Bathsheeba, but chose to ignore that option and continued to gaze.  

This brings me to a couple of quick observations:

1) If we are not allowed to be tempted beyond what we are able, it means we have everything we need to be an overcomes at the time we are tempted.  Did you catch that? I believe this is because what we have in Christ is more satisfying that anything temptation can offer. God is patiently walking with us as this knowledge becomes wisdom.  When we truly believe this we are able to endure in Christ. 

2)  The process of temptation and enduring/falling proves to be a training ground showing us that We already have the Perfect Gift…Jesus Christ who is all we need. We know this to be true, now we must live it as truth for it to equip us to speak it as truth to others. 

3) We must not become distracted by our performance or lack thereof or we will miss the lesson. We must continue to focus on learning that we are completed and fulfilled in Christ; fully satisfied. 

Personal Reflection

What’s your first reaction when you are tempted? Fear of failing?  Trying to entertain the temptation while trying to “stay strong”? Over confidence?

What if you truly believed that all your needs are satisfied in Christ so much so that the minute temptation hit, you remembered that truth and began looking for the way of escape?  You would endure!

Take some time right now, grab a pen and paper and list out all the ways you have learned in scripture that Jesus satisfies your needs.   Keep this list in your Bible, review it daily and add to it every time you learn of another one.  When temptation comes you will see whatever it is as the counterfeit it is and fully relying on the truth. U

Prayer Focus

Father of lights You have given us every good thing and perfect gift. You have given us your Son Christ!  For Him and all He has done we praise you!  Solidify Your truth in our minds. Let us be fully content in Jesus and His finished work at the Cross. Thank you for not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we are able and for the way of escape.  May we learn swiftly and glorify You in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

#truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

Very quickly, I sized up the group and knew there was one guy in particular that was going to be more than a handful.  I was young, filled with Mountain Dew and ready for the challenge.  This included sleeping less than 2hrs per night and hiding in the woods near the girls cabin to make sure nothing happened.

After two days I was praying that God would just get me through until the end of the week. As usual God’s plans were bigger.  Night one I shared how God had created everything in the universe intentionally and on the second night how man had brought sin into the picture. This night I shared what Jesus did in the cross and that He did it for them also.

The students were instructed to leave the fire circle without saying a word and to go back to their cabins with their leaders and just wait.  My wife and I, as well as the other couple co-leading went from cabin to cabin washing the feet of the students inside.  At this point may I just add I was not thrilled about this part at all. I don’t even like touching my wife’s feet; sorry honey!  As I washed this kids feet I felt the Holy Spirit move/push my head down to this guy’s feet and I kissed them.  My mind raced with thoughts of lawsuits and too many thoughts to list.

I finished and headed back up to the fire. Shortly there after, he came up to me while I was playing guitar by the fire and whispered in my ear, “no one has ever loved me like that before”.  I replied, “That’s how Jesus loves us, like no other”. God taught me so many lessons that night.  Nothing is impossible with Him!  He reminded me that all of life is about relationship, more specifically with Him.  It’s not about us and our comfort but about those Him and hose who need to hear the truth.  I looked at this student and was trying not to endure, God looked at him with love and saw one of His children…

Personal Reflection

We all know someone we have to “endure”. I believe God is asking you not to endure, but to love them today. What can you do to serve them today. Maybe that thought is as repugnant as washing feet to you. Maybe, just maybe, God is about to move in an amazing way changing someone’s eternity and yours!

Prayer Focus

Precious LORD thank you for teaching me so powerfully and patiently.  Redirect our minds to the things that matter.  Give us your heart for the hurt, lost and abandoned.  Give us the perseverance to love them in spite of their walls they have built. Tear down the strongholds that have blocked them from living in your joy.  Give us the desire to Know, Live, and Speak the truth, be equipped to Love and Serve, and Skilled to make a difference. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!