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June 2016

 

PURPOSE, TESTS AND TEMPTATIONS

 

This is the first message of a series on the topic of “FAITH” from the book of James. This month’s message is “Purpose, Tests and Temptations”. This is the day, the time and the hour to hear and receive the very Word of God and believe it and stand upon the Word of God.

As you read the following inspired scriptures written by Paul the Apostle in the Book of James referring to The Purpose, Tests and Temptations; “WILL WE OPEN OUR EARS TO HEAR WHAT SAYS THE WORD OF GOD?”  “OR WILL WE CHOSE TO KEEP OUR EARS AND HEART CLOSED TO GOD” IT’S YOUR CHOICE.

 

The Purpose of Tests

James 1:2  My brethren, a count it all joy b when ye fall into divers temptations;

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a count it all joy)

Act 5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (b when ye fall into divers temptations;)

2Peter 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

Commit Verse 1:2: When we find ourselves in various trials or temptations we can go to the Word of God for help.

 

James 1:3  a Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.)

Romans 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Romans 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Commit Verse 1:3: When our Faith is being tested and our patience is being worked on it will produce greater FAITH.

 

James 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Commit Verse 1:4: When our patience is being worked and is complete then we will be lacking, needing nor wanting nothing.

 

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom,a let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and b it shall be given him.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a let him ask of God,)

 Matthew 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Cross Reference Scriptures to (b it shall be given him.)

Jeremiah 29:12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Commit Verse 1:5: If we will only ask our Heavenly Father where it is wisdom or what we may need of help or in health, He shall give it to us only believe and receive.

 

James 1:6  a But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a But let him ask in faith,)

Mark 11:23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Commit Verse 1:6: This is the key to open up our prayers to God, ASK IN FAITH not doubting nor having any doubts. Believe and Receive God’s PROMISES.

 

James 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

 

James 1:8  a A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Cross Reference Scriptures to ( a A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.)

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Commit Verse 1:8: As we go before our Lord in prayer our minds must be stayed upon Him in our time with Him.

 

James 1:9  Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

James 1:10  But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

James 1:11  For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

 

James 1:12  a Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive b the crown of life,        c which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:)

James 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (b the crown of life,)

1Corinthians 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (c which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.)

Matthew 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Commit Verse 1:12: If we will endure the temptations of this life and finish the race that has been set before us, then will we receive the crown of eternal life with God and this is the promise to those that love the Him. 

 

The Source of the Temptations

James 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

Commit Verse 1:13: During our times of temptations we need to discern why and where the temptations came from. We must not think that God is the one that tempts us. Our choices and decisions can make a difference to temptations.

 

James 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  

Commit Verse 1:14: Our own fleshly desires can cause us to lust after the worldly things in this life.

 

James 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, a bringeth forth death.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a bringeth forth death.)

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

James 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Commit Verse 1:16: We must not be deceived of the sin of this world, ask God for discernment in all things each day. Be careful of the spirit of error; allow and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth of the Word of God.

 

James 1:17  a Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, b with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,)

John 3:27  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (b with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.)

Numbers 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

 

James 1:18  a Of his own will begat he us with the b word of truth, c that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (a Of his own will begat he us with the)

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (b word of truth)

1Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Cross Reference Scriptures to (c that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.)

Ephesians 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

 

Conclusion

Our choices and decisions on receiving God's Word are very important to each one of us.  We must learn to put our Faith and Trust in God and His Word the Holy Bible. Will you take this day, time and this very hour to make your choice and or decision. Will you receive God and His Word “AND BE BORN AGAIN INTO HIS KINGDOM”. Below is a prayer to receive Jesus Christ and start a relationship of eternal life with Him.

 

 Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:

Heavenly Father,
I come to you in the Name of Jesus, I repent of my sins and I ask you to forgive me of my sins. I believe and confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and believe He died on the cross and rose on the third day. I ask you to come into my heart. I ask you now to wash me and cleanse me. I give you my spirit, soul and body.  I will with your help follow you all the days of my life. I thank you for writing my name in the Lambs Book of life.
Thank you Father, In Jesus Name, Amen

JOY IN LIFE = SERVANT HOOD

REMEMBER THIS “JOY” = JESUS FIRST, OTHERS SECOND AND YOU "YOURSELF" LAST.

It is our prayer that this message of  “The Purpose, Tests and Temptations” has brought hope and help to your life and that you will totally give all of your spirit, your soul and your body to Jesus Christ and be a mighty witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To go forth with what God has called you to do with Him.

 

May God's riches blessings and His love be poured out on your life daily in Jesus Name?

In His Love and His Service,

William & Susan

 

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are from the King James Version of the Bible.