One evening when my son John came home from football practice, I noticed that his arms and hands had an unusual number of cuts and bruises on them. “What happened?” I asked.

“Have you ever noticed, Dad,” he replied, “that pain is optional, but suffering isn’t? I wanted to be on the starting team, so I knew it would take some ‘pain’ on my part. I’d been ‘playing,’ and now I wanted the coach to know I could be a ‘winner’ at football.”

The Psalmist reminded us that Joseph was sold as a slave, and that “They bruised his feet with shackles and that his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true.” 

Tucked away in the great plan that God has for each of us is our fair share of suffering. After Joseph was sold into slavery, he did not complain about his situation. He persevered through the horrible conditions that were placed on him. By honoring and trusting God, the King of all kings honored him.  

When he was tempted by King Potiphar’s wife, he resisted her seductive behaviors. She did everything she could do to seduce him, but through his dependence on God, he did not give in to his passions. And, when she grabbed him physically, he was able to escape through God’s strength. When she lied about him, he was thrown into prison. And, rather than becoming bitter, he became better. Because he was true to God, he triumphed and eventually became the premier of Egypt. His path to power was through suffering, pain, and imprisonment. If we are true to God in our times of trial, we will be triumphant. 

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for carrying us through. Help us to be faithful to You, in all things at all times. May we understand and know that temptation and suffering, are part of Your plan for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  They bruised his feet with shackles and that his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. Psalm 105:18-19

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One evening when my son John came home from football practice, I noticed that his arms and hands had an unusual number of cuts and bruises on them. “What happened?” I asked.

“Have you ever noticed, Dad,” he replied, “that pain is optional, but suffering isn’t? I wanted to be on the starting team, so I knew it would take some ‘pain’ on my part. I’d been ‘playing,’ and now I wanted the coach to know I could be a ‘winner’ at football.”

The Psalmist reminded us that Joseph was sold as a slave, and that “They bruised his feet with shackles and that his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true.” 

Tucked away in the great plan that God has for each of us is our fair share of suffering. After Joseph was sold into slavery, he did not complain about his situation. He persevered through the horrible conditions that were placed on him. By honoring and trusting God, the King of all kings honored him.  

When he was tempted by King Potiphar’s wife, he resisted her seductive behaviors. She did everything she could do to seduce him, but through his dependence on God, he did not give in to his passions. And, when she grabbed him physically, he was able to escape through God’s strength. When she lied about him, he was thrown into prison. And, rather than becoming bitter, he became better. Because he was true to God, he triumphed and eventually became the premier of Egypt. His path to power was through suffering, pain, and imprisonment. If we are true to God in our times of trial, we will be triumphant. 

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for carrying us through. Help us to be faithful to You, in all things at all times. May we understand and know that temptation and suffering, are part of Your plan for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  They bruised his feet with shackles and that his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. Psalm 105:18-19

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Matt came home from school with a note from his teacher. He had misbehaved in class, and the teacher wanted his mother to know what he had done. 

After reading the note, his mother said, “Son, why did you trip James as he was walking to his desk?” 

“It wasn’t my idea, Mom. It was Donald’s,” he responded quickly. 

“Now, Matt, you know that Donald can’t make you do anything,” replied his mother.  

“Well,” he said after a moment’s thought, “it must have been the devil that made me do it.”  

“Son, shame on you. You know that when the devil tempts you, it is important to turn a deaf ear,” she admonished him. 

He put one finger in his left ear and listened to the sound coming from the TV and shook his head. Then he put a finger in his right ear and listened to the sound once again. After a moment, he looked up at his Mom and said smilingly, “Mom, I don’t have a deaf ear.” 

Temptation comes at us from every direction all of the time. It could be something we see or hear or think we would enjoy. But James had the best answer and the surest way to end being tempted: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.” Such a simple solution that it is almost unbelievable! 

But it is neither simple nor unbelievable. Getting close to God requires time, effort, and energy. And God knows, the devil will fight us for each of them. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us to take control of our time and our lives by “seeking first the Kingdom of God.” May we begin each day with Your Word and prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you. James 4:7-8  

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

Matt came home from school with a note from his teacher. He had misbehaved in class, and the teacher wanted his mother to know what he had done. 

After reading the note, his mother said, “Son, why did you trip James as he was walking to his desk?” 

“It wasn’t my idea, Mom. It was Donald’s,” he responded quickly. 

“Now, Matt, you know that Donald can’t make you do anything,” replied his mother.  

“Well,” he said after a moment’s thought, “it must have been the devil that made me do it.”  

“Son, shame on you. You know that when the devil tempts you, it is important to turn a deaf ear,” she admonished him. 

He put one finger in his left ear and listened to the sound coming from the TV and shook his head. Then he put a finger in his right ear and listened to the sound once again. After a moment, he looked up at his Mom and said smilingly, “Mom, I don’t have a deaf ear.” 

Temptation comes at us from every direction all of the time. It could be something we see or hear or think we would enjoy. But James had the best answer and the surest way to end being tempted: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.” Such a simple solution that it is almost unbelievable! 

But it is neither simple nor unbelievable. Getting close to God requires time, effort, and energy. And God knows, the devil will fight us for each of them. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us to take control of our time and our lives by “seeking first the Kingdom of God.” May we begin each day with Your Word and prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you. James 4:7-8  

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

After walking for what seemed to be miles, he stopped at the corner of an apple orchard to admire the beautiful apples. The owner of the orchard noticed him and asked, “Son, are you trying to steal my apples?”
“No, sir,” he replied, “I’m trying not to. But my trying not to is losing to my wanting to.”

It was that way with David. Deep in his heart he wanted to do what was right. But one day he realized that his friendship with evil men was a strong force that was often more powerful than his desire to do the right things.

As his walk with the Lord grew stronger he began to realize that there was a power beyond human power and if he wanted to, he could choose victory over defeat by depending on that power. He was able to move from being overcome by their power to overcoming temptation and sin by calling upon God’s power.

So, he went to God in prayer and asked, “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”

One of the most powerful thoughts that the devil places in our minds is that we are human and that God realizes we may be overcome by temptation and sin. It’s so easy to rationalize sin’s power and our weakness.

But Paul refused to accept that excuse. “There is no temptation that is more powerful than God’s power. And He’ll provide a way of escape if you want it,” he added.

Prayer: Lord, help us to confront our excuse of being human as a reason to sin. May we run to You for safety. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

“It’s no use,” said Tom to his youth minister. “I’m unable to resist the temptation to sin. I’ve tried again and again to resist the devil and run from him when I’m tempted but it never works. Something must be wrong with my will power, so why should I try any longer?”
“Perhaps that’s the problem – trying to resist temptation with ‘will, power.’ No doubt it’s time to turn to God’s power,” said Jeremy.

Then he opened his Bible to Psalm 138:3 and read, “As soon as I pray, You answer me; You encourage me by giving me strength.”

The Psalmist had it right: Rather than using his power, he depended on God for His power. And as we read that verse we can learn from his struggle how to be faithful to God. Obviously, there must have been a period of time in the life of the Psalmist when he tried to “make it on his own” and was unsuccessful. From his failure came his success because he was willing to turn from will-power to God-power. Notice that he wrote, “As soon as I pray…”

He learned an important “life-lesson.” He could not resist the temptation to sin if he depended on himself. But “as soon as” he turned from himself to his Savior, he got exactly what he needed: “encouragement and strength” that comes only from God. So, he literally “gave up” on himself and his will power. His power did not work.

There is nothing that pleases God more than for one of His children to depend on Him for “survival.” And we must never forget that “as soon as” you call, He answers!

Prayer: Help up us, Lord, to be strong enough to be weak and to call on You for encouragement and strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 138:3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

Two long time friends were quail hunting - one was a Christian, the other a nonbeliever. “Why,” said the nonbeliever, “is it that the devil always seems to find and tempt you to do the wrong thing and he never bothers me?”

“Oh, you don’t understand it,” replied his friend. “You see, the devil has you and now he spends his time trying to get me back. It’s like hunting for quail. We’re not after the dead ones. We want those that are still alive. You see, you’re dead and the devil doesn’t have to worry about you. But he wants me back!”

All Christians face the dangers of temptation that come from the devil. Even Jesus was constantly being tempted and tested. And we must always remember that being tempted is not a sin. Sin “happens” when we yield to the temptation.

We must also remember that when we are tempted, it is by the devil. The Lord does not tempt anyone and it is through His power that we are able to resist any temptation that comes our way. It is the devil who is the source of the temptation.

That’s his business and he is very successful at what he does. It is a good thing to remember that mice do not like traps but are caught when the power of the bait overcomes them. He knows the “bait” that is most likely to tempt and trap us to sin and will use any friend or foe, picture or place to his advantage.

David put it this way: “Praise be to the Lord...we have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare...Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We are always going to be tempted. We have years of experience to prove that fact. But we also have the power of God’s Word to protect us. As Paul said, “There is no temptation that you cannot bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Escape is always possible.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for Your strength and power that enables us to escape the temptation to sin. Help us to rely on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 124:7-8 We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

After walking for what seemed to be miles, a boy stopped at the corner of an apple orchard to admire the beautiful apples. The owner of the orchard noticed him and asked, “Son, are you trying to steal my apples?”

“No, sir,” he replied, “I’m trying not to. But my trying not to is losing to my wanting to.”

It was that way with David. Deep in his heart he wanted to do what was right. But one day he realized that his friendship with evil men was a strong force that was often more powerful than his desire to do the right things.

As his walk with the Lord grew stronger he began to realize that there was a power beyond human power and if he wanted to, he could choose victory over defeat by depending on that power. He was able to move from being overcome by their power to overcoming temptation and sin by calling upon God’s power.

So, he went to God in prayer and asked, “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”

One of the most powerful thoughts that the devil places in our minds is that we are human and that God realizes we may be overcome by temptation and sin. It’s so easy to rationalize sin’s power and our weakness.

But Paul refused to accept that excuse. “There is no temptation that is more powerful than God’s power. And He’ll provide a way of escape if you want it,” he added.

Prayer:  Lord, help us to confront our excuse of being human as a reason to sin. May we run to You for safety. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:4 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

While watching a large oceangoing cargo ship slip quietly into the Atlantic I noticed a mark on the side of the ship. Having been in the Navy for several years, I was rather embarrassed to ask my friend what it meant.
“It’s a Plimsoll Mark,” he said with authority. It was not an answer that helped at all, so I asked, “What’s a Plimsoll Mark?”

“It’s a load-line on the ship that shows how much cargo the ship can carry safely under different conditions. For example, the closer the line is to the water, the more ‘at-risk’ the ship would be in a storm.”

The Lord has a “load-line” marking on each of us. As we read in Psalm 103:14, “for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” The Psalmist assures us that God knows our limitations - what we can safely and securely “carry.”

None of us are immune to trials - nor are any of us excused from being tempted. All of us, in one way or another and at one time or another, face similar types of trials and temptations. None are new. None are different. They come at different times in different situations from different directions appealing to our different weaknesses.

As Paul wrote, “No temptation has seized you that is not common to others, And, God is faithful! He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide you a way out.”

He knows our “load-lines” and will not let us sink. However, we must be careful not to put ourselves at risk.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to realize that You created us, that You know us and that You will protect us if we allow You to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Matt came home from school with a note from his teacher. He had misbehaved in class and the teacher wanted his mother to know what he had done.

After reading the note his mother said, “Son, why did you trip James as he was walking to his desk?”

“It wasn’t my idea, Mom. It was Donald’s,” he responded quickly.

“Now, Matt, you know that Donald can’t make you do anything,” replied his mother.

“Well,” he said after a moment’s thought, “it must have been the devil that made me do it.”

“Son, shame on you. You know that when the devil tempts you, it is important to turn a deaf ear,” she admonished him.

He put one finger in his left ear and listened to the sound coming from the TV and shook his head. Then he put a finger in his right ear and listened to the sound once again. After a moment he looked up at his Mom and said smilingly, “Mom, I don’t have a deaf ear.”

Temptation comes at us from every direction all of the time. It could be something we see or hear or think we would enjoy eating. But James had the best way to end being tempted: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.” Such a simple solution that it is amusing! But it is neither simple nor amusing. Getting close to God takes time and the devil cleverly sets our priorities.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to take control of our time and our lives by “seeking first the Kingdom of God.” May each day begin with Your Word and prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.