Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Wednesday!  All is well here at 811.

Dear God, Thank you for your Presence today. Thank you for calling to think on you through silence, your Word and spoken prayer. Thank you for giving each of us a way to escape temptations and grow stronger when we follow closer to you. I love you Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

I have heard for many years the statement “God never gives you more than you can handle.” Usually followed by our response, “I just wish God did not trust me so much.”  I have thought about this phrase a lot and there is something that just does not make theological sense to me.  Temptation is absolutely out there just waiting for us to either dive right in or ease in slowly. Temptation is a basic part of the Christian life.  And while temptation can mean doing things we know are overtly wrong I think temptation also can mean other things.  

My friends, life happens. I do not believe God puts temptations and difficult experiences in our lives. I do believe God allows difficult situations to happen in our lives that have the ability to shape how we handle our experiences through His grace and guidance.  When the tough times come we can be anxious and worry making ourselves physically sick about what we are going to do to fix whatever is wrong. Or we can escape these temptations of being worried and anxious and invite God to care for us and live in dependent trust through faith in the unfailing love and power of God.  God is able to do whatever is necessary to help us. God has wisdom concerning whatever our situation is and the way to deliver us. We must trust God to help us instead of falling into the temptations of worry and being so anxious. We live in a fallen world and life is going to happen. The good news is that we have hope in God who raised Jesus from the tomb and brought Him to victory over death. This same God has given us reason to trust that He will do the same for us. God is good and love wins!!!

“The LORD knows how to rescue the godly from temptation.”

2 Peter 2: 9

“The LORD controls the flood. The Lord will be King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people and the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

Psalm 29: 10-11

Take joy in this Lenten journey. May God reign sovereign over our lives and may we quickly go to God when temptation comes.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene