KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Chapters: Book of I Peter
Message: How To Handle Temptation
Hello My Friend,
If my messages seem to be coming at different times instead of the normal time everyday it is because they are. You see, normally I get up at 3:30am so I can spend time with God and write the devotion as I am reading His Word, but lately between work and life I end up in bed at midnight so it is not so easy to get up that early. For some reason God has given me a preview of that He wants me to write about the day before, yesterday I was explaining on my Facebook page that I have been dealing with a severe pain in my knee for over a month, and for some reason God sees fit that it remains. So, as I read today’s chapters I got some answers as to why God is allowing my suffering. Not every bad thing we go through is a result of sin, more often it is because we choose God’s way over mans. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” – I Peter 1:6-7.
“though it be tried with fire,” There are two kinds of temptation, one of course, is being enticed to give into the lusts of the flesh, the other is a test of our faith. Our faith gets put to the test more than we know, not only is God using temptation to test our faithfulness to Him, the devil is using it to see if we will turn away from God. As I was driving home from work last night I said to God, “Okay God, I tried to do it my way, I will now do it your way.” Now, the test is will I listen to myself. You see, saying and doing are two different things, sometimes God’s will has nothing to do with the temptation to commit sin, but to increase our faith. God uses temptation in order to make us more dependent upon Him for all things, not just resisting sin. He likes to remind us that we belong to Jesus and since we belong to Him we are to be holy like Him.
“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” – I Peter 1:16-21.
“that your faith and hope might be in God.” Let’s face it, even if Christ was not a part of our lives we still suffer, we still face temptation of both kinds, only with Christ He is able to sustain us. I will tell you that as I was walking from one end of a Super Walmart to the other for the third time that I was almost in tears because my leg hurt so much, but I pressed on and did what I had to do. I keep thinking about what Jesus said to Paul when he asked Him to take away the pain he had in his side, and He would not. “My grace is sufficient.” Let me tell you, staying faithful to God keeps us from getting into a lot of trouble. We may not always understand His will, but we do find Him in the midst of our temptation. Peter reminds us that it is a good thing to suffer.
“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” – I Peter 2:20-25.
“For even hereunto were ye called:” It is God’s decision to allow us to go through some of the suffering we face. Why He chooses to allow us to go through some heartbreaking things can be a mystery, but if we trust Him we will see that He will make us stronger and more qualified to reach certain people with the Gospel. A person who endured the pain of rape and teach another victim how Christ got her or even him through it.
“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” – I Peter 3:13-18.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,” Jesus never did anything wrong, yet He suffered more than anyone else has ever had to, He is our example that good things always come out of bad. You see, Jesus was not exempt from temptation, even though He is God in the flesh He still has the same human nature that we have. He could have decided that He did not want to go through all the pain, and even death to save us, but He remained faithful, endured all, and conquered sin, death, and hell. This is why we are called to suffer through temptation, it was only when I was in my worst state that I truly understood pain and what Christ did for me.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” – Peter 4:1-6.
“for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;” Think about it, resisting temptation, especially when we are weak in the flesh, does not come easy for us so when Christ gives us the strength to resist wt? e often find ourselves suffering because we want to do what is right by God. I admit that this is one of the most difficult years in the trying of my faith. I have not fallen away from God, but I did allow some things from my past in an attempt to see if they were as satisfying to me as they were when Christ was not in my life. Guess what? They were not. God allowed me to do them to show me that they are not what I need, I may suffer because I choose to obey God’s Word, but in the end I know God will see mt through.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” – I Peter 5:6-10. Praise God!
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” – I Peter 1:18-19.
Today’s Prayer: God, I know that everything happens for a reason, and that while You are not the one who tempts me to commit sin, You are the one who tempts me to be a better Christian by testing my faith through some trials. It is not always easy to stay in Your will, but I confess, it is much better to suffer in Your will than in mine. I know I am saved by grace, and that living by You Word is not necessary to keep my salvation, but I am going to continue to live by it because I know that no matter what I am going through that You are with me and will not only make me stronger in body, mind, and spirit, but also let You shine through me. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power, wisdom, mercy, and grace to get through my suffering. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Amen. I love you Lord, and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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