Can God's Calling Become Distorted?

I’ve always been impressed with Jonah, the Old Testament prophet who refused to go to Nineveh to preach God’s message of salvation. Jonah refused God’s call because he felt ambivalent about what would happen to him if he failed or was successful.

By reading the book, it appeared that Jonah never accepted that God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness were unrestricted and open to all who believed and repented. Cautious optimism for God loving the people of Nineveh was challenging for Jonah.

Sometimes a reality check is necessary to determine if cautious optimism distorts your thoughts and feelings which then prevents you from being accountable for what you could be or do for God. As you think about the Lord Jesus Christ being Savior for all people, rid yourself of any distortions of clarity.

Then you will be joyful in your heart and soul by being able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord God.

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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

~James 1:4 New International Version 

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What Rewards Are You Expecting from God?

What’s so difficult about being a servant or being thought of as a servant is the negative identity that is associated with being a servant to others. It creates an attitude of thinking that you do not measure up socially. Yet God calls each Christian to serve others.

It’s difficult to believe each person is accountable for the quality of service rendered to God and others. Quality of service refers to knowing what you do is for God’s personal glory and not your own glory. So what makes serving God and others so special?

Listen to Galatians 6:9. “Let us not become tired or weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The harvest is the reward of experiencing God’s favor and having your life enriched with a godly purpose where you lay up treasure in heaven that makes you worthy to be invited to enter God’s Kingdom.

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Blessed is the one who remains faithful when tempted, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 New International Version/Good News Bible

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What Helps a Marriage Move from Conflict to Resolution?

What couple would commit to a marriage believing divorce was definitely in their future? Instead, couples take this covenant step with confidence their marriage will last a lifetime. The majority of divorces reflect a fractured relationship that could have been saved.

It has been noted that as soon as the honeymoon is over, real differences in personalities and expectations will surface. Yet most couples compromise and accept each other’s imperfections.  Their love and commitment to each other give birth to a lasting bond.

What helps couples move from conflict to resolution is realizing that happiness includes sacrifice by each individual. 

To love your husband or wife as Christ loved the church is an awesome responsibility and privilege. Christ Jesus provides strength and the will to endure, but that must include an attitude that promises to never give up. So give thanks to Christ, and then continuously act out your thanksgiving.                   

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God will bless you if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone that loves him.

~James 1:12 Contemporary English Version

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What Is Challenging About the Pursuit of Happiness?

Trouble is impossible to avoid. Job 5:7 states that “Man is born to trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward.” Troubles may come in the form of temptation or as a test of faith and trust in God to provide what’s needed to face each day’s issues.

Saul knew what God required of him, yet he seemed determined to live according to his own rules rather than what pleased God. On several occasions Saul was tested and invariably failed to do what was required. Perhaps it was impatience that overruled his better judgment.

Trouble can be challenging just to identify its source, but for Saul it was his need for recognition and acceptance that made him weak and vulnerable. When being tested, remember James 1:12: “God will bless you if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a blessed life just as he rewards everyone who loves him.” 

This is God’s promise to you.                            

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Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust in him and he will help you.

~Psalm 37:5 New Living Translation

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How Does Temptation View Happiness?

If today you could choose between financial security and happiness,  how would you choose? That choice might seem easy. However, the first option has a possible underlying component of worry and stress attached to it, whereas happiness doesn’t necessarily mean the fulfillment of all your dreams.

The first option could open the door to temptation by permitting the desire for wealth to gain control so that you become obsessed with what wealth provides. Jesus warned against holding on to lustful thoughts and feelings, for grave consequences may have to be endured.

Temptation presents a false view of happiness. The desire for wealth may distort how the future and freedom are perceived. Galatians 5:1 offers encouragement. “It is for your freedom that Christ has set you free. So stand firm and never permit yourself to be burdened by slavery’s  shackles.” You can trust Jesus to provide your need for lasting joy and security.                 

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Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 Good News Bible

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Temptation's Cutting Edge

The cutting edge of temptation plunges deep regardless of a person’s faith, education, or lifestyle. Some blame God for the reality of temptation they must face as well as their failure to escape its demands. Whatever the source of temptation, submitting to its enticement is a choice. Freedom to choose is a privilege but may result in painful consequences.

Someone recently declared, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to go back to college with the wisdom I possess today? Learning is a joy now that I’m not so distracted by youthful temptations.” Those words reflect maturity that has come from the power to resist temptations’ enticements.

When temptation’s cutting edge is pressing in, remember God did not create it but will, in his mercy, provide an escape. Remember these words from James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has stood the test, he shall receive the crown of life God has for those who love him."

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There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.

~1 Corinthians 10:13 God’s Word Translation

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God Helps Us Endure

There are times when the excitement of a new beginning will blur disappointments that accompany a new adventure. The majority of pioneers starting out from Missouri in the 1840s for Oregon could not imagine the hardships they would suffer.

Moses had strong reservations about leading the Hebrew people out of Egypt. He refused God’s inference that he was the only one skilled enough for the job. In fact, the Pharaoh rejected every attempt by Moses to convince him to free the Hebrew people. They were his source for cheap labor.

With every demand Moses made, the Pharaoh increased the people’s workload, intensifying their anger toward Moses. Listen to their accusations: "You have made us a stench to the Pharaoh and have put a sword in his official’s hand to kill us." God’s people will endure hardships in their journey with Christ Jesus, but God never defaults on his pledge to help you endure. Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who endure for they shall be saved.” This is God’s pledge to you.

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God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of  life that God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 New Living Translation

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Different Paths – Different Destinations

The Old Testament story of Samson echoes the story of Israel. An angel of God announced his birth and proclaimed that he was to be dedicated to the Lord for a special purpose. God gave him special powers for securing that purpose. Yet as he grew into adulthood, Samson’s lusty passions would lead him down the road to destruction.

In a similar way at a later time, God chose Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to Israel.” Jeremiah’s passion for proclaiming God’s message sent him out into the streets to alert Israel they must turn back to God to avoid the destruction that was looming on the horizon for them. However unlike Jeremiah’s passion, Samson’s ungodly passion led him to pursue Delilah, the woman responsible for securing his downfall.

While each person will undergo temptations to forsake their higher calling, for every temptation God is faithful to provide a way to escape the entrapment of being lured into sin. Like Samson, we’re often inundated by Satan’s fiery darts, but thanks be to God for Christ Jesus our safeguard, who will shield us from the power of ungodly passions.   

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No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has its way out, so that it will be possible for you to bear it.

~1 Corinthians 10:13 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

Happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.

James 1:12 The Living Bible

Strength to Stand under Trials and Tests

Character is an attribute of identity. From a positive viewpoint character refers to integrity and morality, but in the negative sense it refers to being untrustworthy. Joseph’s character was based on his relationship with God. His character was severely tested when Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him, but he refused her advances.

 

A person's character is revealed when standing against evil that’s embedded within temptation. Joseph did not contend with "should I or shouldn't I" when faced with temptation. His rational mind vetoed temptation’s emotional sway because he realized if temptation were permitted to infiltrate his emotions, he would be vulnerable to its snare.

C. S. Lewis addressed the problem of temptation in his book Mere Christianity by stating, "A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people in one sense know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the struggle of an evil impulse inside of us until we try to fight it."Christ Jesus will give you strength and the will to fight temptation’s evil snare as you determine never to give in.  

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Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 New International Version

From Industry to Identity - Part 1

Starting to school is a crucial turning point in the social development of a child. For some children, this is a significant first step for entering an environment where expectations, social demands, and ethical standards may be different from their home life. If the atmosphere is acceptable and safe, a child begins a lifetime learning adventure.

          Developing a positive attitude toward learning is essential for successfully adjusting to school life. If school adjustment problems persist, parents must make sure their child gets help so the developmental task of industry and productivity progresses normally. This critical task centers around cooperating with teachers and those within their peer groups.

          Responsibility for a child's social and intellectual growth depends on the child, parent, and teacher. Persistence and perseverance are required. Listen to James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him." That's God's promise.