Yes, my struggle is real! Trials, Temptations, and Tests

I asked several friends what the difference was between trials, tests, and temptations. Some people called, others caught me walking in the hall at work, but my Sunday School teacher took the time to thoroughly explain. I hope this will help someone…

Temptation, Trials and Testing all go hand in hand. There can be no temptation without a test or a trial. Testing is for us and the proof of our knowledge of the word. What we have learned and how we apply it to our life. Temptation (a testing), generally understood as the enticement of a person to sin by offering some seeming advantage. The source of our temptation is Satan, the world, and the flesh. Read James 1:14-15

Trials are the testing of our character, it's also a temptation or an adversity, the enduring of which proves the merit of an individual's faith. Adversity puts a Christian's faith to the test, either true or false. Understand, a test of faith brings patience or stamina by suffering or temptation.

Temptation has two meanings: 1. solicitation (entice) to sin and 2. trials from providential (future) situations.

Also read: Matt. 6:13 (preventative request), the servant request for prayer in dealing with sin. As the servant grows in purity and obedience, they should rely less on prayer for forgiveness and pray more for protection. Lessons learned should help avoid the traps of temptations.



Mark 14:38 - the formula for conquering temptation is to stay alert and pray. No matter how willing we are to do the right thing our flesh is weak.


Luke 8:13 - pleasure seeking overcomes eternal pursuit. No time for God's word, they don't mature in God.

A Different Look At Job (Anonymously Submitted)

A different look at Job…



When God is kind enough to reveal to us, we should be grateful. We should know, however, all that he reveals is not pretty (or as we may wish) but it is always beneficial.



I have always thought about Job as the man the Lord allowed to be tormented by Satan. I have wondered if he did the same thing to me. Perhaps my words are harsh and my outlook has been skewed. In learning about myself and learning about how, in some ways, I was like Job, I was reminded:

· God can't agree with a lot of the "stuff" we do - he is righteous and we are not

· We, us, me, you break fellowship with God

· God never breaks fellowship with us, even though it may feel as if he has



I have long misunderstood the difference between covenants and contracts. God had covenants with various people in Biblical days and covenants are not meant to be broken- a covenant is a promise. Promises from God are never broken. We always want to promise something, but we are unable to keep our promise to HIM. He does not require of us a promise, we just go running out there to do it. He loves us unconditionally, but we don't get it. For example, God had a covenant with Abraham. Remember, he promised him a son. Even though Abraham could not keep his end of the bargain (waivered in faith), God kept his covenant and blessed Abraham in spite of what he did (baby's momma and baby). Now Abraham broke the covenant and as a result there were consequences for his sin.



Contracts on the other hand can be broken. Okay, so here is what I learned about Job. God had a covenant with Job. We don't really know the details, but the Lord blessed Job tremendously. He made promises to him and kept them. Job walked uprightly before the Lord, but Job's heart was not always right. Job thought the Lord did a raw deal to him, we all did. We all get there, don't we? I know I've felt that way often especially about a decision I (Me, myself) made because it did not work out. I've broken covenants and well, consequences have followed.



We learn, if we really read about Job that he was angry about those who he deemed unrighteous and their lack of punishment. Now if that does not sound like me, what does? I have lived in that space for many years. I watched a man receive countless blessings from the Lord and I deemed him unworthy because he did not even acknowledge the Lord or thank him for all the tremendous blessings I thought he did not deserve. Job and I have a lot in common. When every old covenant was broken, curses were released. Who am I do deem someone else unworthy of what God has for them?



Towards the end of the chapters in Job, we learn that he does repent. Yes for his disgust or judgment of those he (Job) deemed unrighteous. Hallelujah Yes, I have learned about my judgment of others. I never realized how deeply rooted it was. I never meant to be so judgmental. It has permeated many aspects of my life.



But God is merciful and he does forgive. Remember, Job received many blessings in the end. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

There Is No "If"

I just returned from 5:30 p.m. mass. This is not the mass I usually attend, rather, it is the mass which is put on by the teenagers in our parish once a month. While this mass is sparsely attended, I always enjoy the homily as the priest, Father Michael, always has such pearls of wisdom.

Today, the sermon came from the book of Genesis in which the serpent is tempting Eve in the garden. The serpent says, "If you are a child of God, then what would it hurt to eat the forbidden fruit?'

Father Michael reminded us that most of the trouble we get into, or sins that we commit, are predicated upon the word, "if."

There is no 'if." We are children of God. No, 'ifs,' ands or buts about it.

Have a blessed week!

Love,

Dot

Thank God It's Monday

I always say at the end of the week, "Thank God, It's Friday." When I woke up this morning and said to myself, "Argh, it's Monday," I stopped and realized that - hey, God woke me up. I'm in my right mind (well, kinda), I'm in good health, my family is still with me and I have a place to go today."

Sometimes, we forget to thank HIM for each and every day. It's so easy to complain about what's wrong, we forget to rejoice about what is right.

Today the sun is shining. It rained all weekend. So, as I look out the window at the sun, contemplating the challenges of the week ahead, I remember to "Thank God, It's Monday!"

Love,
dot

A Birthday Prayer for Linda

God, another year is gone.
Am I any wiser? Maybe a little.
One thing I know for sure: You walked with me through every hour of every day, though I could not always feel your presence.
Thank you for what has passed, and thank you for what is to come.
Amen.

(From Hallmark "Little Book of Prayers for Busy Women" - thanks, Mercelle - I'm loving this book!!)
Mochadot