📖: James 1:2-5, 12-15, 5:7-11; Matthew 4:1-13, 6:13, 26:13, 41; Luke 4:2, 22:54-62, Romans 5:3-5, 12:12, 15:4-5, 13; Galatians 6:1, 5:16-17; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-6; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:11–13; Hebrews 2:14-15, 4:15, 10:36, 12:1-3, 6-7; James 1:2-4, 12-14, 4:17, 5:7–11; 1 Peter 1:7, 2:19–20, 4:12-13, 5:8-9; 1 John 3:5; Revelation 1:9, 3:10; Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31; Joel 2:23
Confession: Psalm 91, 46, 121:1-8
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13
As human beings, throughout the course of our journey on earth, we will all encounter many different challenges and struggles. We have all had those “Why me?” moments. Those moments (or seasons) can be brutal on our faith. But in Romans 5:4 says that “Endurance builds character, which gives us a hope.” Times of struggle can also draw us closer to God as we lean on Him. It can also be a time of learning and lessons. God uses the difficulties and chalÂlenges of daily life and work to increase our faith. James 1:2-4 says that “whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” Endurance isn’t a skill that one develops overnight, it’s something that we have to work on repeatedly over a period of time to really be refined. The idea of endurance is a great thing to focus on as we work through challenges both in knowing that God is there by our side as we endure and process this hardship and also in recognizing that if our time of struggle persists for a while, it doesn’t mean we’re failing at fixing anything, it simply means we’re succeeding at enduring.
In our sinful world, if we don’t stand firm in our faith, sometimes, we can be tempted to abandon faith—or faithfulness—by committing theft, fraud, dishonesty, unfair dealings, or taking advantage of others in order to enrich ourselves, advance our careers or to grow our businesses. Another kind of trial arises from failure at work. Some failures can be so traumatic that they shake our faith. For example, getting laid off (made redundant) or dismissed from a job may be so devastating that we question everything we previously relied on, includÂing our integrity, faith and trust in God. We must remember that in enduring, we develop strength of character, and our character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. In suffering, we anchored our hope to God, who is the Author and Source of hope. Hope never disappoints because God generously pours into our lives during times of suffering. He shows up and does something special in our hearts—He pours out love and perspective; God smooths our rough edges; God helps turn our focus from inward to outward. Then He uses us to be a redemptive force in this world.
Whenever we are tempted, James is telling us that meeting temptation head on builds endurance; it strengthens us in our resolve to overcome it. And f we’re unsure of which way to go, we can ask God, He will give us the answers we need. Trials and testing are a part of life. Every time we pray the “Our Father Prayer,” we ask God to help us by leading us not into temptation, but if temptation finds us, we can ask God to help us. The reason is that we need the gift of divine wisdom in certain circumstances because we at times have to choose between two goods, or two evils. In the case of two good, which choice will benefit the most and in the other, which is the lesser of the evils? Whatever challenges we may face in life, or when we feel like giving up, let us turn to God’s Word to be renewed, and refreshed with endurance that leads us towards a greater faith and stronger trust in God. For those yet to surrender their lives to Jesus, this is not negotiable, do so now, tomorrow might be too late. DO IT NOW! STAY HEALTHY! STAY SAFE! STAY STRONG! STAY FOCUSED! STAY IN FAITH! STAY CONNECTED! STAY POSITIVE! STAY FIRM! STAY BLESSED!
PRAYER
🙏My Father, I thank You for Your blessings, for granting me divine protection, provision, perfection and restoration, in the name of Jesus.
🙏Oh God, please, forgive me. Have mercy upon me and wash me clean with the Blood of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus.
🙏Oh Lord, by Your Fire, burn every satanic devise the enemy is using to monitor me in order to tempt me, in the name of Jesus.
🙏My Father, If I have been disconnected from the socket of my destiny, reconnect me by Fire, in the name of Jesus.
🙏Oh Lord, where there are temptations help me to walk away from them and where there are distractions help me to stay focused and true to the things You have called me to, in the name of Jesus.
🙏Power to live a godly life, envelope me now, in the name of Jesus.
🙏Oh Lord, please everything around me that is making me to fall into temptation, destroy it, in the name of Jesus.
🙏My Father, I receive total victory over every temptation, in the name of Jesus.
🙏I cover and seal all my prayers and answered prayers, with the Precious Covenant Blood of Jesus Christ.
🙏Thank You Lord, for answered prayers.
DAILY WORD FOR ALL 