Thought for October 2, 2023

  • 1187: Saladin captures Jerusalem from Crusaders
  • 1789: Bill of Rights submitted to the States for ratification
  • 1792: Baptist Missionary Society forms in London
  • 1871: Brigham Young arrested for bigamy
  • 1872: Phileas Fogg begins his around the world journey, according to Jules Verne
  • 1895: First comic strip published in a newspaper
  • 1902: Beatrix Potter publishes "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"
  • 1950: First Charlie Brown comic strip [called "Li'l Folks", later "Peanuts"]
  • 1959: "Twilight Zone" premiers
  • 1967: Thurgood Marshall becomes the first black Supreme Court Justice
  • Born: Nat Turner, Mahatma Gandhi, Groucho Marx, Bud Abbott, Graham Greene, Robert Henry Lawrence [first black astronaut], Johnnie Cochran, Don McLean ["American Pie"], Donna Karan, Kelly Ripa
  • Died: Samuel Adams, Tom Petty
Thought:
Reading James 1:12-18 today. What a great and much needed reminder we find in these verses. Look at verse 12--Blessed are you when you persevere under trial. This doesn't tell us that we are blessed when everything is going perfectly--of, course we are. What I need to remember is that my circumstances do not indicate whether I am blessed. In Christ we are blessed beyond measure regardless of our current circumstances. How quickly I forget under pressure and trial. I guess that's why James starts this book with "consider it all joy when you encounter various trials." We can consider it all joy because we are fully blessed in Christ. 

Now look at the next truth--when I am tempted, my tendency is to ask why God allowed this or let this happen to me. Satan is the tempter, God never tempts. The same event may be a temptation presented by Satan and a trial or testing allowed by God. When we do not yield to temptation in the power of the Spirit and have our faith tested and proven, we are being made perfect and complete by the refiner's fire. 

James wants me to clearly understand--my temptations are aroused and fueled by my lust--not God. As John would say--the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life are the things that bring temptation. When I yield to the temptation, sin is born. Notice that the birth of sin leads to death. 

So what will I do with these verses today? Trials will come. Blessings are promised when I persevere and endure the trial in the power of the Spirit. So today--resist sin, flee temptation, endure trials. When temptation comes--recognize the source. 

Now look at the last point--do not be deceived by thinking that Satan gives good gifts and do not think that anything bad comes from God. Satan wants me to believe that his way brings blessings, happiness, pleasure, good things. He is a deceiver. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God--He is the source of joy, peace, abundance, hope, grace, mercy, love. Don't let Satan deceive you.

Blessings
Larry

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