March 8 Loving Our God Under Trials James 1:12
** I will be posting March 9 Devotion today. I will be unavailable on Saturday… **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
Many years ago, in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina, there was a Mosquito born disease scare. These blood sucking insects were spreading a particular disease and there was a mass concern about these tiny death carrying creatures. How do we escape these predators? YOU DON’T! There was a swamp or “slew,” within a mile of every living being! It was a “right of passage” to have red itchy spots on our arms and legs, during the summer months! My dear Mother’s solution to protect her little baby boy, was to cover me in Avon’s “Skin So Soft” lotion! There are days when I can still smell a faint odor of this noxious concoction. Constantly aware, always wary of the critters, it created a serious “Trial” in daily living! This little creature created inconvenience, pain, irritation and was always unwelcome! With all the prepared and homemade concoctions, avoiding these irritating beings was still impossible! I have thought many times, “What purpose do these creatures serve?” Life is full of irritations and trials and challenges, and we must place our trust and faith in the Creator to empower us, to guide us and to protect us! Trials of life are inconvenient, painful and “down-right” wrong, yet they are necessary for our overall well-being! Through these challenges, we learn patience, and perseverance, and we develop grateful hearts and attitudes! The reality is that we grow closer and deeper in our Faith and Dependance on our Savior, Jesus Christ! These Trials, do we really need them? ABSOLUTELY! WITHOUT A DOUBT! Trials serve a noble purpose in making us more like Jesus, and ready to take on the challenges of life, strong, determined, and ready to share His Grace and His Power and His Ability to Guide us through the irritating, yet growth inspiring Trials! THANK YOU, GOD, for the Lessons of Life! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!