James Devotional Day 3

1 Corinthians 10:13

The good news is that God has promised that He will never leave us without an escape. He never lets us get into a situation where we can't bear the pressure. Be encouraged: if you are undergoing temptation, He never lets you have more than He knows you can take. When we talk about pickup trucks as one ton, three quarter ton, and half ton, we are saying that the manufacturer who made the truck has said how much the frame of the truck can handle. Now, take a look at Psalm 139:15. "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place." God, our manufacturer, knows our frames, He knows how much of a temptation load our frames can handle. Isn't that great? We have a promise from God. He will not put too much on our frames.

God will provide a way out, a way of escape, a freeway if you will. We cannot find the freeway or the way of escape on our own. It has to be by God's grace, His discernment and His power. But He will provide the way. He will not ever put you under too much stress. He will not bust your shocks or flatten your tires. You can trust Him.

Record how God has given a way to escape temptations in the past. How is He providing an escape in the present.

Youtube Video to go along with this, sortof

Came to my Rescue

Devotional Day 18

1 Corinthians 9:24-26

Getting rid of sin is hard. It's a lot of work. But the reward in the end will be worth any struggles and trials we undergo now. Our whole life is like a race, We are working toward the goal-the lasting crown of eternal life-and we have to act like we are really serious about getting there. Have you ever trained for a sport? You don't just go out onto the track, and sort of jog around aimlessly for 15 minutes, and then leave. You don't sit in your big leather chair and make a few baskets in the potted palm behind the TV, and then say your done. No, you train, work, and sweat. You run around the track like you are going somewhere, like you are going to win a prize. You don't play a few scales and then think you are going to be a great musician. You don't learn a little basic math, and then think you are an engineer. No, you study, you practice, you learn, and then you apply.

What is going on in your spiritual life? Are you jogging aimlessly, or are you running somewhere? Are you acting like you are getting ready to win?

What are some practical things that you could do to get into "spiritual training"?