Faith Bible Fellowship

Dear folks,

This Sunday we want to learn about the character of God. Is He good enough to trust with our lives, and does He keep His promises? Satan, like himself, wants us to hate God and not let Him have any influence in our life by convincing us the Lord is not trustworthy. Actually tests from God are a gift to prove our faith is genuine. Can you imagine taking a course in school, but not being given any tests? How would we know we are learning anything? So the Lord graciously sends us trials so we will know our true character, gain assurance we are genuine Christians, and change if needed. Through trials we experience humility.
Remember the manna test described in Exodus 16? Compare Deuteronomy 8:2 and understand this was a test to see if the people believed God’s word. Interestingly the manna test changed to a temptation to sin due to the unbelief and sin of the people. God meant it as a blessing and confirmation of His presence and their faith, but it was turned into an occasion for sin. Almost anything can be like this, a child is a blessing, but he or she can become an idol we put in front of God. Exercise is enjoyable, but it can become a snare if we get spiritually out of balance.
James gives us a warning and a promise in 1:12-18. God never tempts, but He does test. Which it is, is determined by our attitude toward it rather than the thing itself. So food is a blessing, but gluttony turns it into sin. We must fight against our sinful desires lest we turn even the most beautiful thing, relationship, situation or experience into something ugly.
Can you think of what in your life tends to be like that? Something that is good, but through our intense desire it becomes a temptation to sin? Sin twists things out of shape and causes us to miss the purpose for the activity in the first place. Sin is rebellion against God and leads to death and all cessation of life and beauty. Scripture says God gave wine to gladden the heart of man (Psalm 104:15), but how often it is turned into a curse by over indulgence. We must be wise in the use of the Lord’s gifts lest we turn them into terrible experiences resulting in death.
James is going to meddle in our life, the Lord is testing us even now – Listen to the Apostle Peter: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

See you Sunday,

Lee

James 1:12 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. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.