Scripture:
1 Corinthians 10:12-16
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what
others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted,
he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Observation:
When ever I come across this scripture, I always stop to soak up the promises.
- The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience - you can over come because you know others have
- God is faithful - We are not abandoned and our circumstances are known. God is with you, you do not face life alone.
- My favorite: He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. We actually see this in the Old Testament book of Job. I can handel what is in front of me. Life is not over whelming.
- The secret escape door is there, just look for it: When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure
Application:
How ever fantastic those promises are, today what smacked me was, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall."
- Ya know I am doing well.
- I have come a long way.
- Look at the things I don't do any more.
- Here, let me help you be as good as I am.
Sound familiar? It should, its our pride talking. We are taking credit for things we are doing. Do you see what is absent from those questions? Yup, God. Where is God in all of this? Paul is warning of the fall because he knows we must center on Christ and not our selves or God will have to get our attention.
Riding home from church with a sister who's friendship I treasure, we were laughing at the spoof song words, "Lord I lift my name on high, You're so glad I'm in your life. I love to sing my praises ...". I have been there and fight to say away from there.
My pastor is right, these are exciting times. Many of the things we have placed our faith in are crumbling right before our eyes. People need to know and understand the need for Jesus Christ in their lives. The Church needs to know that...
Prayer:
Lord help me to center my life around you and you alone.