Test vs. Temptation

From 2001 to 2003 a reality television show aired called Temptation Island.  The premise behind this show was to place a committed couple on an island, isolate the couple from each other, and place them in a group of singles from the opposite gender.  This was done in order to test the strength of their relationship.  Needless to say, things did not always go well for the couple.

Though the principle behind the show was to test the strength of the couple’s relationship, the reality was not a test at all.  It was a temptation to break up the relationship.  Where there is nothing wrong in testing a situation, such as a relationship, it is outright ridiculous and wrong to tempt another into sin such as the show attempted to do.  Where testing is encouraged in a relationship, engrossing ourselves in a situation filled with temptations is foolish.

The same can be said for situations in which God’s children find themselves.  Some of those situations are more difficult than others, but as the book of James tells us God uses those times in order to test our faith.  But James also makes it clear that God does not tempt us.  When we face trials and troubles we can chose to follow and trust our God or fall into the temptations of anxiety or worry.  But if we do fall into sin through these situations we cannot blame God.  For He will not tempt us.

So, what is the difference between a test and a temptation?  How can God test us but not tempt us?  Where does temptation come from?  How can we fight temptations in our life?  Who is to blame when we are tempted and when we fall to those temptations?

May God speak to our hearts this week as we once again dig deeply into His Word and ask the Spirit to speak to us, revealing our own hearts and desires.  May  His name be glorified through our study of His Word and our living out of the Truth we discover this week.

Risen and Alive!

Each Easter the Churches around the world gathers together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This Easter will be no different for us a church family.  We will worship in singing praises to our King, in hearing the Word of God Spoken, and in the gathering of the body of Christ to encourage one another into deeper faith.  But in addition to all this we will worship God by hearing about the work of the risen Savior in the lives of those around us.  Christ is no longer in the tomb.  He is alive!  He is risen!  And we know this as the people of God because He is alive and at work in, through, and around us.

Come join us to hear how God’s Word and work has been displayed in the lives of His children, the Church.  He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Praise to His glorious name.

The Reward for Endurance

In June of 2012 I ran a sprint triathlon.  I had never done such a thing before in my life and so I trained for months before the race.  My only goal was to finish the race without making a trip to the emergency room.  I knew that it would be difficult to run such a race, but my mind also convinced me that it wouldn’t be as hard as I thought.  That misconception changed as soon as I got out the water from the half-mile swim and slowly (and I do mean slowly) got on my bike for a 13.1 mile ride.  The realization of how wrong I was became even more apparent when I began running on my wobbling legs.  I still remember the feeling of utter exhaustion when crossing the finish line.  The interesting thing about this and any other race is that there is only one winner.  I certainly endured each of the events in this race, but only on person took home the crown of first place.

 

Around two thousand years ago the God-man Jesus Christ came to earth and entered the city of Jerusalem hailed as the Messiah who brings salvation.  One week later he was hung upon a cross for the salvation of the world. 

 

This week, we will be studying the words of James 1:12.  In this passage James speaks to the believer who has endured trials which have threatened to steer them away from their faith in Christ Jesus.  In an athletic race only the fastest can be crowned, but in the race of faith in Christ it is the one who endures who receives the reward of the crown. 

 

What is this crown?  What do the words of James and the act of Jesus that fateful week have to do with each other?  What does this passage teach us about faith, trials, and endurance through those trials?

 

Before our time together on Sunday morning may God prepare us to hear His words through his servant James and may those words do a work within our own hearts and lives as His disciples.

Seeing Ourselves as God Does

“Who are you?”

On the surface this question seems simple to answer, but in a much deeper sense it only raises more questions about how we truly see ourselves.  In my case I am a father, husband, son, pastor, counselor, friend, coffee drinker, theologian, cook, outdoorsman, football fan, Packer fan . . . and the list goes on.  What truly defines me?  What truly defines you?  What truly defines us as believers?

This week in James 1:9-11 we will study where our true identity lies.  Though James speaks of the lowly and exalted, rich and humiliated, his words are not focused solely on earthly circumstances and social position.  Too often our view of ourselves is influenced by our own minds, the circumstances of our life, or the society around us.  What do James’ words teach us about how we view ourselves?  How are God’s words encouraging to us no matter what circumstances we ourselves living within? 

As we look into God’s words for us this week may we be prayerfully prepared to have God reveal the reality of our own hearts plainly to us.  Our God is good and loving and knows what is best for His children.  May our hearts be humble before Him this week.