Youth Group

I just got done with our weekly youth group meeting. I love my job! Today we studied James 1:12 and a few of the verses that follow it. It was really good. I think so anyway. Of course, i'm biased because i do the teaching.

The verse goes something like this, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial becuase when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God promises to those who love Him."

We looked at various areas in our lives where we experience trials. These could be (and mostly likely are) in relationships, including family, friends, employers, teachers, peers, parents, and enemies of course. We also have trials in all sorts of areas in life from work to play to church to entertainment. We have trials (temptations - same greek word i guess) everywhere. Our job is to endure them. Why? Because life is better when we do. Think of it this way. Lets say you're heading to a friends house and you have to go to the bathroom. Would you rather give up or hold it. Of course life is better when we press on and succeed in doing what we where made to do. If i was made to love, which according to God's word i am, and i spent my life in selfish ambition, things aren't going to satisfy. I won't be 'blessed' as it were.

Last night i was surfing the net and came across a cool web site that talked about the power of sin in ones life. There was an excerpt from a sermon of John Piper that talked about understanding the power of sin that was an incredible illustration of enduring sin. We also looked up the following verses in our study that shed light on this passage. John 14:15; John 13:34-35; Genesis 4:6-7; and Hebrews 12:3-4.

I hope and pray that you are enduring, remaining, not giving up in your struggle with sin. The best help is found in Hebrews 12:2-3! Fix our eyes on Jesus. We should cling to His cross because as Gal 2:20 says, we have been crucified with Him so that now His life is in us, then we have the power and strength to stand. We have waited upon the Lord and we won't grow tired or weary (Is 40:31).

Be in God's word. This quote is simple yet too true to not share. God's Word will keep you from sin (Ps 119:11) or sin will keep you from God's Word (rm 1:18-32).