You have probably heard people say something like, “God will never give you more than you can take.”

I think this understanding comes from the following passage in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

What do we mean by saying something is “more than we can take?” I think it means we are facing a situation experiencing fear, anger, grief, or loss, that is so intense or devastating that we might do something we know is wrong. This is a temptation.

It could be the that someone hurt us or someone we love, and we are tempted to take vengeance, or we lost someone we loved, and we think we cannot continue living without them, or a relationship fell apart and we think we cannot go on. These are all temptations to do something we know is wrong.

As the verse says, we will not be tempted beyond our ability to withstand, and we will be given a way out.

As terrible and tragic as some things may be in our lives, we can always rely on God. If we trust him, he will comfort us through the pain, and lead us past the temptations.

Dear Lord, some things in life appear to be too much for us to handle, but help us remember that you know our experiences, and our pain. Help us remember,also, to come to you for comfort and a way past our tragedies and temptations. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

A friend shared a video with me, you may also have seen, but it included a quote that stuck with me. “Love builds a bridge over which truth can pass”

This is a good message for us to remember when we feel the inclination to criticize or others and explain why their behavior or beliefs are wrong.

I have heard it said another way, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:25-26, “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.”

Dear Lord, It was your love for us that built a bridge for us to be saved. Help us look with love on others first before gently providing instruction, thereby building the bridge for your truth to find acceptance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Jesus warns in Luke 12:15, “Be on your guard against every form of greed”

What is greed? One dictionary definition is “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed”

I think the key word in the definition is “selfish.” When we always focus on what we have and worry excessively about loosing it, or diluting it by giving some away, whether it be our money, our time, “our” parking place, “our” position in the line, we are being greedy.

To guard against greed, I like to remember this part of a well known hymn, “All that we have is thine alone, a trust O Lord from Thee.”

Dear Lord, help us remember that you gave us everything we have, and your desire is that we use it to love and serve you and our neighbor. Help us always keep this in our minds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Have you ever had a conversation with the parent of a toddler while the toddler was playing on a park playscape? The parent’s eyes are always darting back toward the toddler, ready to run and protect the child from a fall, from some other danger, or from getting out of sight.

In ways, this is what is described in Psalm 33:18 which says, “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

God is watching and is aware of our situations; our successes and struggles, our hopes and our fears. We are not alone, He is always there and ready when we call.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the assurance of your presence. Help us use this confidence to be bold Christians sharing your love and good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

You may have heard it said that the fear of something is often as bad or worse than the thing itself; Like a child worrying about getting a shot at the doctor’s office, or the fear of speaking or performing in front of a crowd; Fearing the difficult professional exam, driver’s test, or flying check-ride. The fear can sometimes immobilize us from thinking or doing anything.

It is interesting how David writes Psalm 34:4. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” He doesn’t say that God prevented the bad things from happening; He says God freed him from his fears. We don’t know why God allows some bad things to happen to us, but knowing that he will take away the fear is a blessing in itself. It allows us to endure our struggles with peace, which can be an amazing witness to others.

Dear Lord, free us from the fears we have that prevent us from moving forward in faith. Help have the peace that comes when we do not have fear because we are putting our trust in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box