Morning Musings-Happens to Every One

Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...




Every single last person, whether rich or poor or of any other variables, is subject to death:  here today, gone tomorrow.  Just read James 1:9-17.  We each face trials of many kinds too.  There is no favoritism.  As we each, at one time or another of our life, must face trials, and face death, we need to be prepared.  James is talking to followers of Jesus Christ in his letter here.  So knowing about all this now, can help us when the moment descends upon us. 

James puts some words of encouragement in there when he tells us about these things.  He says those who persevere will be blessed.  Why?  Because they've proven they've "stood the test".  There is reward, a "crown of life to those who love God" (vs 12).  So yes, we will go through these things but there is reward.  

How will we blessed?  I believe as previous verses explain that we grow in our faith and we grow in our perseverance.   We also build up a resistance to temptation but not on our own strength.

Are you tempted?  Tempted to quit, to not persevere because things are getting too difficult?  Tempted to doubt God?  Tempted to give up on God?  These all run through our minds but when we cling onto Jesus, He can help us through.

Fountain of Joy

God seeks only our good.  Stand up, my sons, under your trial.  Persevere.  Strengthen your faith in God by so doing.  Find joy, that pure joy pointed out in vs 2 and gain that crown aura of life.  Therein is reward.  We face death but there is a crown of life waiting for us!  Everlasting life.

Yes, there are other ways to be tempted away...by our own evil desires: whether it be for the love of $$; sexual pleasure; for power or whatever.  In all of these we need to exercise self-control.  Self-control is a product of the Holy Spirit's working in our life.  Let Him help you to persevere and stand up under those temptations of doubt, fear and the "I'm fed-up-ness"  and self-interest that try one's soul and spirit.  Say, "No" to them and "Yes" to keeping on keeping on in faith.

We are reminded in Psalm 23:4  that He is walking with us through our valley of the shadow of death.  Our Good Shepherd knows what it is like.  Talk to Him, commune with Him through it all.  There's a song by Jeremy Camp that a friend brought to my attention called "He Knows".  Go on line and have a hear of it.  Very to the point here.

God seeks only our good.  Indeed any gift from Him is good and even these oppressive dark clouds of trial will have their silver linings to make us 'perfected' in His sight. He has given us our life, and truth and seed of faith.  As an offering we give cheerfully and willingly back to Him our 'perfected', maturity in faith.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

All this can happen to every one; even me; even you.

                                                              ~ERC  2016~