TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS

Personally, this topic resonates with me for it has summed up my 2018. We will be using James 1. The entire chapter is self explanatory. i was just going to pick verses but I realized that everything in the verse is important. After this teaching, I will advise that we all go back and read the entire chapter one by one.

What are trials and temptations?
Trials are challenges that come to us in our walk as Christians. Trails can also mean a test in preparation for something bigger. When football clubs want to sign amateur players, they first invite them for trials. New drugs also get to go through trails to prove that they are effective for the purpose for which they were created. If the drugs passes the trial, it blows. If not, it becomes another failed invention.

Temptations are things that are attractive but are not good for us, basically.

Trials are trainings in preparation for a new level. Without examinations, students wont move to a new level in school. As growing Christians, these examinations are important for us to move to new levels in our walk with Christ.

James 1:2- My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

The goal is to come out better and and learn patience, to also come out better in strength, capacity and knowledge. Periods of trails are periods of deep devotion. It is a time to invest more in our spiritual lives and see beyond the trial.

We must always see Jesus. It is important.

Note this: Temptations does not mean that you are careless or carnal, it shows that you are human.  Even the most anointed of men of God go through these things too


What to do in moments of trials and temptations.

1. Stay confident in the Lord. The unassailable belief that Jesus is at the center of it all! Let it be shown all over you that Jesus reigns. Even if you fell and people saw you, don't let them criticise you. It is between you and God ultimately. Just find a way to go back to God as a penitent child and pour out your heart. His arms are always open to welcome you.

I like Psalm 71 and it is a good chapter for this. My personal style is to have a conversation with God.

2. Keep pleasing God, remember when Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commandments. Trials are also to teach you obedience, stay obedient. Work out your salvation deliberately.

3. Do not sin, avoid sinning. That thing when people push you to want to react or you are about to yield to temptation, do not fall for it. See Ephesians 4:26- 'Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.'

4. Affirm scriptures. Confess and declare scriptures you know and read new ones. Personally, I claim many scriptures at this point but there are some that God told me about myself personally. I affirm them and declare them true. One verse God gave me in 2014 is Isaiah 54:10. Another fav scripture is Romans 8: 28. Look at that fact! We know that all things, ALL things work together for good to them that love God(US), to them who are called according to his purpose.(US again)
Such Peace

I believe that these steps can help us overcome challenges, trials and take us to the next level.

5. Keep Bearing Fruits. Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the spirit:
1. Love (Love everyone)
2. Joy (Be joyful, radiate God's joy, joy unspeakable)
3. Peace (Be peaceful, follow peace with ALL men)
4. Longsuffering (This one, you have to be able to suffer long, endure hardship)
5. Gentleness (Be gentle)
6. Goodness (be good, just be good to people, no bargaining)
7. Faith (this is an entire teaching but EXERCISE faith and be faithful)
8. Meekness (Be meek and humble)
9. Temperance (Be temperate, moderation is important in all you do)
 I will add one, Bring forth fruits of repentance. Matthew 3:8

6. - Rejoice. Look at 1 Peter 4: 12-13. 13 says rejoice even in trials.
- Give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 says In EVERYTHING, Give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

7. Stay Positive. Romans 12:21 says Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Dont let enemies change you, show them love regardless. Don't let unbelievers ruin your relationship with the holy spirit.

Sample trials and temptations
 Illnesses, anger, lust, grief, ridicule, reproach, harassment, lack, disappointment, failure,  rejection,
death of loved ones

Conclusion
Trials teach obedience and patience, trials are meant to make us better as Christians. Trials help us reaffirm God's promises. When God rescues us from floods, we begin to believe more and become more assured. We become more mature.

One thing I learnt personally, the trials wont reduce as we grow. Rather, they become bigger and we learn new ways of surviving them. We grow in capacity.

DEALING WITH ANXIETY

Text: Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians  4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (kjv)

For better understanding we will look at what Amplified version says concerning our text later.

So what is Anxiety?

Anxiety can be defined as an uneasy or distressing desire (for something).Or  A state of restlessness and agitation, often accompanied by a distressing sense of oppression or tightness in the stomach

Agitation! Restlessness!  Those are another words for Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the biggest destructive force facing Christianity today. Especially we the youth.

We are anxious to make it, make money and more of it.

Because of anxiousness, many people have lose where they are supposed to be career wise, marital wise or concerning God's purpose for their lives.

Anxiety sometimes can be a product of fear and fear is from pit of hell.

Fear of maybe am lagging behind, fear of meeting up with our peers or something..

Anxiety frustrates effort, if care is not taken, it can move us from the original plan of God for our lives.....

Luke 12:22 He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion.
Luke 12:23 There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

A real, genuine faith requires us to actually believe that God will provide for us.

When we take the focus off of us and what we can do, it makes trusting in God and what He can do much easier.

Anxiety is all about you and nothing about God let's note that pls

 That is why we are commanded to stop being anxious. God has a plan for every step of your life. Anxiety is only a stumbling block*and a hindrance to walking the path that God has set for you

So What Harms does Anxiety does to Believer?

1) Anxiety stops you from enjoying what you have as a believer. We have a lot! Like He has overcome the world for us but Anxiety will stop us from enjoying this

2) Anxiety Saps us of our strength and derail our faith.

3) Anxiety makes us overlook God promises.

4) Anxiety is not productive (Matthew 6:27)

And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life?
MATTHEW 6:27 AMP

So after all the anxiety and worrying can we even do anything about it? No! so Anxiety is not productive at all.

Lets run from that unproductivity! Amen?

 How can we Deal with Anxiety as a believer ?

1)  Choose to Rejoice no matter the circumstances you are facing.

And how can you rejoice over your circumstances 

a) study the word at all time, there is word for every situation. Find it, sit down with your Bible and study it! Its there for us...

b) praise and worship, not church own o. From your own closet 😀

c) Nourish your mind- read  inspiration and motivation books, they Nourish the soul too. Teachings and all.

Those little can and will make you rejoice at all times.

2) Secure your foundation in christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4!  Rejoice, Rejoice... Joy actually brings a lot more than we can think of. Through rejoicing, you can see solutions to that problem, through rejoicing, your heart will be open to ideas, opportunities.. So secure your foundation in christ Jesus by rejoicing

3) Develop the discipline to say no to anxiety! You know that saying like Get thee behind me devil  that's how we should develop discipline over anxiety!

Anything that might want to make you get anxious, discipline your mind especially because it all starts from the mind Train your mind

Finally, Seek the face at all times, concerning what you set to do.
As we round off can someone help with proverb 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Proverbs 3:6 Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.

4) Seek the face of God at all times concerning what you set to do

So Conclusively, Rely on God, Trust in the lord completely, let Him Guide you, Become intimate with Him in *whatever you do and Dont try to figure out anything on your own!  Rather make all your requests known to Him, He will Direct your path!

God's Path doesnt bring Anxiety Trust in His promises, The vision is yet for an appointed time, wait for it!

As we end this let's pray this prayer in our closet: Father every weariness that is causing anxiety in my heart, soul and body, deal with it lord and help me rejoice at all times (Amen)