MONDAY, February 11th, 2008

James 1:9-18

Pastor Lee:
I love James. This passage is such a great one. You sould consider memorizing it. (at least verses 13-16). The whole idea here is that we are tempted in life, but God will never allow us to be tempted with more than we can handle. That is what Pastor Chip was talking about in his message yesterday. This passage explains that when we are tempted the results can be deadly! Literally! look at verse 14 and 15. The equation would be this: Tempted + Sin: Death (we all know that death means separation) When we sin, we are "separated" from God because He is Holy and cannot fellowship with unholiness.
I must not allow temptations to lead me into sin, but I must srtive for the prize: the crown of life
What about this passage stood out to you?

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.