[Biblemat] A) TEMPTED AND TRIED

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Friday morn-
ing to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.  Here
is an article from my files:

TEMPTED AND TRIED

     We are assured that trials will come.  "All who desire to live godly in 
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:
12).  There is no loophole or exemption clause; there is no
way around it.  In fact, Peter says not to be surprised when 
they come upon us, "as though some strange thing were hap-
pening" (1 Pet. 4:12).  And James prepares us not for "if" they happen, but 
"when" (Jas. 1:2).  Seeing that we cannot
escape these "various" trials, coming in different shapes and
sizes, often from unexpected sources, what can we do about
them?

Cheer Up: -- What does James say to do?  "Count it all joy"
(Jas. 1:2).  How does Peter tell us to respond?  "Keep on rejoi-
cing" (1 Pet. 4:12).  Jesus Himself preached in the Sermon on
the Mount that when people insult you and persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you, "rejoice and be glad"
(Matt. 5:11,12).  Do you see a pattern developing here?  If you
want to end with joy, you have to begin with joy.

     Yes, we would much rather "count it all misery" or "keep on complaining" 
or "pout and be angry."  We want people to
know when we're suffering and how much we're suffering.
We find greater comfort in feeling sorry for ourselves than in
finding ways to rebound and rejoice.

     We must start seeing things from God's perspective in-
stead of our own limited, selfish view.  Only then, will our eyes be opened 
to a whole new world.  Only then, can we see
Him on His throne, watching over us and causing us to rejoi-
ce.  In prosperity and in adversity.

Look Farther Along: -- The testing of our faith "produces en-
durance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas. 1:
3,4).  An athlete endures the rigors of training because he 
knows it will make him stronger for the contest.  We must per-
severe through our fiery trials knowing that we will emerge
sharper and more durable on the other side.

     God is interested in making His people better.  Trials and
tests are just one way He can accomplish that.  He knows that they give us 
confidence and boldness for future trials.
He know that they help us become mature, "perfect and com-
plete, lacking in nothing."  He knows that a faith tested becomes a faith 
perfected.  Bad things may happen to good
people.  But with the right attitude and proper perspective, 
they can make good people even better people.

Let The Lord Help: -- "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him
ask of God" (Jas. 1:5).  There are times to pray for the trial to
be removed.  But there are also times to pray for wisdom to
endure it.  Wisdom will help us see the end result, even when
it's still far away.  Wisdom will help us make good choices in
the midst of adversity.  Wisdom will help us maintain our faith
in God though we be in the most desperate of circumstances.

     God gives to all generously.  He will not only fill your cup,
He will cause it to overflow.  Pray for wisdom.  Then use it.

     "Cheer up, my brother.  Live in the sunshine.  We'll under-
stand it all by-and-by."    ------ Bubba Garner via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, 
No. 5, Feb. 4, 2007.   </HTML>
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