“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3
When we encounter temptations, tests, or trials there is an agenda behind it all. It’s to get us off course! The enemy knows the calling God has on our lives and his objective is to do everything he can to stop us! The word temptations above is also translated tests and trials elsewhere in the New Testament. James 1:13 tells us that God isn’t the tempter. The devil is! When we are being tested, tried or tempted, it’s the enemy trying to knock us off course! Tests, trials and temptations are his strategies and they come in all forms! BUT – if we don’t quit, we can’t lose!
Don’t Let Sudden Storms Shake You!
There was a time when Jesus and His disciples were on their way to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to the region of Gadara, when a sudden mega storm hit (Mk. 4:35-41). The boat was filling up with water threatening to sink them, and they ran back and woke Jesus up, who was asleep in the back of the boat! He arose and “…rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mk 4:39)”
That storm came out of nowhere for a reason! The devil wanted to knock Jesus off course and destroy Him and His disciples! When they reached their destination Jesus went into the region of Gadara and delivered the demoniac who was possessed with a legion of demons. No wonder the devil threw that storm at them! This region was a demonic stronghold. We know that because 3,000 pigs were not included in the Kosher diet of any Jew!
Let’s look more closely at this: Jesus declared, “Let’s go to the other side.” They were in God’s perfect will. A storm hit and threatened to sink the ship. In other words, He encountered a trial in which He let the peace of God rule in His heart and He overcame the attack. I think He also counted it a great deal of joy too! It was then that He reached His destination and destroyed the works of the devil in Gadara (Mk 5:1-19)!
We can draw many lessons from this as a model for working our faith and growing in endurance!
When Tests, Trials or Temptations Come Your Way:
- Know that the enemy is trying to knock you off course!
- Release your Faith by declaring the Word of God! Stay in the Word!
- Nothing takes God by surprise, so when you encounter obstacles, you’re already equipped to overcome it!
- Stay on course until you reach your destination or until you achieve your objective; that’s why the devil threw a test or trial in your way!
- Make the devil pay by destroying his works with the power of God!
With Love,
Pastor Tom
Kingdom Business is Eternal, as are the rewards that come from God. If this ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us in prayer, as the Lord leads you, or in financial support. Please visit our website at www.testamentoflove.org to learn more about this ministry! Luke 6:38