Devotion for Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

James 1:15-16

In today’s verse we see a destructive process.  What is the process?  Unhindered desires lead to sin.  Sin always brings death.  There has never been a sinful act that has lead to life.  Sin ultimately brings destruction.  When we are tempted, and give in to that temptation, the ultimate end is pain, hurt, and destruction.
Think about all the pain that has come from sin or the effects of sin that has happened through human history.  The musician, Andrew Peterson, spoke of it in his hopeful song “After the Last Tear Falls”:
“Cause after the last plan fails
After the last siren wails
After the last young husband sails off to join the war
After the last “this marriage is over”
After the last young girl’s innocence is stolen
After the last years of silence that won’t let a heart open
there is love…”

Application:  Today, when you are tempted, don’t just think about the potential benefit to giving into the temptation.  Think about the potential harm and destruction that will happen as the result.
Also, take encouragement in this- Death will die one day, because of the resurrection of Jesus.  “O Death, where is thy sting.  O grave, where is thy victory!”

Devotion for Monday, August 29th, 2011

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing

James tells his reader to count it as joy when we fall into “divers temptations” (various trials).  That sounds crazy right.  Be joyful about the fact that I’m going through difficult circumstances?  That seems a little weird.  But James gives a good reason for this statement.  He says that when you go through trials, it exercises your faith and the result is patience.  When we go through difficult circumstances, it can help us learn how to endure and trust in God to get us through it.  The more we do that, the more able we are to handle what we go through.  Patience works in us so that we can be “perfect and entire, wanting nothing”.  This is another way of saying that we’ll be complete!  Our character will grow to be what God wants us to be.

I think this song explains this principle pretty well…
Check out this video:

Application:
Sometimes we think of difficult circumstances as whole seasons of life, and they certain can be that.  But we go through things that we may not like on a regular basis.  Today, when you get frustrated, aggravated, hurt, or offended remember to “count it joy” and think about how your circumstance can help you trust God more.