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Discovering Joy

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  “ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  4  But let patience have  its  perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”   James 1:2-4 (NKJV)     What a joy it is to quiet your soul before a breathtaking sunset!   What happiness to elicit the childish giggles of a baby learning to coo.   What a joy to savor family time with your adult children over a delicious meal.   What a joy to fall into trial and temptations!   (Screech! Did I just lose you?) It is easy to find joy in the, well…joys of life.   But how on earth am I to find joy in the trials and temptations that are as consistent as a power bill on a frosty day? Clearly, finding joy in hardships is a fruit that only the Spirit of God can develop in us.   It is not that the hard days are reason for excitement.   Rather, it is the knowledge that even on those days, or especially on those days, we can depend on God t
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Tempted to Death

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  12  Blessed  is  the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  13  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  14  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  15  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15 (NKJV)   Temptation .   Such a dirty word.   One that we do not hear discussed in polite Christian circles.   One that we never cop to.   It is so base .   Surely a godly person is above such sinful weakness! But secretly, we all assent to the fact that it is a common denominator to us all.   Every day is filled with temptation.   We are tempted to cut someone off in traffic; to tell a juicy story;   to put someone in their place;   to slack at work.   We are tempted to make thi
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