January 8, 2008

Blessings Folk!

Well...that was fun! Took the computer 48 hours straight to upload the revamped website...but, it is done. Did some rearranging for easier access...cleaner look…quicker response of workflow on my end...etc. etc. Check it out! Have a new podcast up.

http://www.dalemoore.tv

Then, as mentioned in our last time together, it was raining Tuesday. Moments after I sent out this communique I received a call. The basement at the house was flooded. Ugh. So Tuesday, yesterday, today, etc. have been spent cleaning, ripping out carpet, bag after bag of garbage. Ugh.

But, remember what the Lord said!

Count if all joy!!

I’m particularly remembering the word “all”. LOL

What joy can be found in such?

Who knows?

But I do know…
the basement is getting really, really cleaned and organized
getting some exercise

Therefore, though we don’t understand...and certainly we are not alone (houses are flooded throughout our area) we will count it all joy!

James 1:2
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

KJV

But, note something here.

We proclaim “count it all joy” often. But we must look at the balance of the verse/passage within context. Read the following closely.

James 1:1-4
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

KJV

James was writing to those that had been “scattered abroad.” They had encountered hard times because of their faith.

James tells them to count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Hum. Temptations? The New American Standard translates it as “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.”

We understand trials.
We understand temptations.
But, how is a trial a temptation?

I suspect it has to do with how we are tempted to respond when we face the varied and diverse things of life…the trials and temptations.

You know the ole saying ‘bout what comes out when you are squeezed…

The trying (testing NASB) of our faith worketh patience...produces endurance.

It is opportunity to grow in trust and faith in the Lord.

The Lord has much to say to us about enduring during such time...hear the Word spoken to Timothy…


2 Tim 2:3
3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

NASU

2 Tim 2:3
10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

NASU

2 Tim 4:3-5
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

NASU

Therefore, let us endure to the end, speaking forth the Truth.
Let us press on through the things that pop up...or flood up…to distract us, all the while considering it a joy, knowing that God is in control.

Blessings!!