'Blessed is the man who endures temptation.' James 1:2

There is a misperception : temptation is sin. The Devil wants you to blame yourself for the temptations you experience. Why? Because when you believe that you are the source of it, you feel condemned and discouraged. As you indulge in feelings of discouragement, you become an easy prey and satan convinces you to go ahead and yield to the temptation.

The Bible says, 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1 NIV). When satan sends temptation, the Holy Spirit goes to work in us, helping us to reject his suggestions and reminding us of Jesus' availability to help us triumph. 'Because Jesus was tempted as we are...He understands us and He is able to help us when we are tempted' (Hebrews 2:18).

So when you're tempted, reject satan's condemnation and reach for Christ's overcoming assistance

Word for today

Our music for today is 'Count it all joy' by the Winans. Click on the picture to listen.

JUNE 8 - The law

“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” - Hebrews 13:1-2

If you have kept up current affairs then you will know that the answer is a successful gay rights bill. On May 22 Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage. This is a Catholic country where the predominant faith Catholicism doesn’t even recognize contraception as a means of birth control.

As a known Christian I was asked my opinion in my staffroom at work. I could tell people who were in different conversations were listening but I didn’t hesitate. I said, “The law cannot change the love of God and the fact that he came to die for all people.”

I was ready for the next question which was ‘What do you mean by that?’ And then I was in. I used the controversial subject as a witnessing opportunity.

There is always going to be controversy, in fact the next burning topic is probably going to print right now. However in our interactions and responses to situations and people we must always remember ‘we may be entertaining angels unawares’.

The Gaither’s sing ‘The love of God’. Click on the picture to listen – Abraham entertaining angels unaware.

JUNE 5-6 –

"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found’” - Luke 15:25-32

To sports fans reading this, you'll be familiar with the name Magic Johnson – he played for Los Angeles Lakers. In 1980 they were the NBA Champions, and were recognised as the best basketball team in the world, and it was thought they would go on to win the 1980-1981 back-to-back championships. But within weeks of the season's start, Magic tore a cartilage in his knee and was ordered a three-month recuperation period. The team and fans rallied, and the remaining players played their hearts out, determined to make it through that period without losing their rankings. They were winning 70% of their games when the time for Magic Johnson's return drew near.

As the days decreased, publicity increased. During time-outs at the games, the public address system would blast out: “And don't forget to mark your calendars for February 27. Magic Johnson returns to the line-up of your World Championship Los Angeles Lakers!” During the announcement the other players cursed and said: “We're winning now, what's so great about February 27?” As the day approached less and less was written and said about the players who were putting out so much effort. All the attention was focused on one player who hadn't done a thing.

On the day 17,500 ticket holders were given a button that said: “THE MAGIC IS BACK.” Some 50 photographers clicked away as all of the players were introduced – a break from protocol, as normally only the starters were introduced and Magic would have been on the bench when the game began. The crowd erupted, and the arena rocked at mention of Magic's name, while the team that had carried the load for three months were totally ignored. They seethed with jealousy, resentment, anger and envy, fuelled by having struggled to win a game that night against a bottom-of-the-bucket team....the entire team's morale collapsed, and the players turned on each other. The coach was sacked, and the remainder of the season was disastrous as they went on to lose the opening game of the play-offs. Greed, pettiness, resentment and pride, caused one of the fastest falls from grace in NBA history.

Talk about a 20^th century repeat of the Prodigal Son, and the elder son's attitude to the return home of his brother - except in this case, there's a teamful of elder brothers.  He said to his father “....‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends....when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’“

Magic Johnson's team-mates had attitude – great when it was the right attitude, but when pride came on-side they forgot all about the privileges and publicity they'd had and shared as the public and media had acclaimed their efforts during the three months Magic was laid-up.

How often we see families, friends, and churches torn apart from the same in-fighting. Never mind team spirit, where has all the love gone? Shouldn't we “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” – Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Bryn's choice of music today – Johnny Cash singing “Fair Weather Friends.” Click on the picture to the right to listen.

JUNE 4 -

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” - Proverbs 12:18

I had to chuckle when I read this and just had to share it. What a difference one little letter makes!

Pastor A.J. Jones in South Africa wanted to sell a T.V. Set, so ran a classified ad in a Pretoria paper. As first printed the ad said: “The Rev. A.J. Jones has a colour T.V. Set for sale. Telephone --- after 7p.m. And ask for Mrs Donnelly who lives with him, cheap.”

The next day the newspaper printed this correction: “We regret any embarrassment caused to Rev. A.J. Jones by a typographic error in yesterday's editions. It should have read: The Rev. A. J. Jones has a colour T.V. Set for sale, cheap. Telephone Mrs Donnelly who lives with him after 7pm.”

The next day the paper said: “The Rev. A.J. Jones informs us he has received several annoying telephone calls because of an incorrect advertisement in yesterday's paper. It should have read: The Rev. A.J. Jones has a colour T.V. Set for sale, cheap. Telephone - – and ask for Mrs Donnelly who loves with him.”

One day later: “Please take notice that I, the Rev. Jones, have no T.V. Set for sale. I have smashed it! I have not been carrying on with Mrs Donnelly. She was, until yesterday, my housekeeper.”

There was, however, one more ad the next day: “WANTED a housekeeper. Rev. Jones, telephone --- Usual housekeeping duties, good pay. Love in.”

Take care – just one wrong little letter, like one wrong little act, and a character is assassinated.

A tune Rev. Jones needed - “I Shall Not Be Moved” - (LIVE) is today's music choice. Click on the picture to listen.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all of these things shall be added unto you."  Matthew 6:33

Pressure, pressure, pressure, there are always so many demands on our time.  Are you the type of person who makes lists?  Or do you try to remember everything with just the use of your brain? I struggle to make lists, well I make them but either leave the most important thing off it or fail to refer to it.

Being the fast paced society that we are there are many different sorts of lists but I am going to look briefly at two - long lists and short lists.  A long lists is never usually called as such but it is just an ordinary list.  It has all of the information uncluttered roaming down the page unedited. On the other hand, the short list, a name largely used referring to the final stages of jobs or those auditioning means those who have made it to the final stages.  All the maybe's have been whittled down leaving only those who have a chance of the gig.

We all make one each day whether consciously or not.  So today was Jesus on your long or short list?  Did time with him make it part all of those important things that you had to do,  or is he still in pending on the long list?

We all have a choice to make, how much time are you going to give him today?

MAY 29-30 – Oh yes, He cares.

“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father” - Galations 4:6

When children are small, parents remember the excitement of their first steps. Each wobbly lurch forward is met with enthusiastic “hurrahs” and hugs as they advance from heavily padded bottoms to reinforced knees – shock absorbers for expected tumbles and tears. Toddlers are expected to fall, to cry, because they're learning, but we're delighted in each stage of their progress. That's what parents do. It's effortless to love their children, and delight in their growth.

It's easy for us to forget that God is a parent too, who, like our parents, loves His Son and us passionately. He delights in our growth. He knows we're learning. He expects bruised knees and bruised hearts along the way. He doesn't want guilt over our occasional tumbles to paralyse us in fear of His response. He wants us to brush off the dust, figure out what tripped us up, grab His strong hand, in trust, and keep walking.

True victory over guilt comes when we see ourselves as God views us – as children who are learning to walk the uneven emotional and spiritual road of life. Children, who “Abba, Father” spared no expense to walk beside.

As we have confidence in the love and forgiveness of our earthly parents, let us rest, and accept, the love and forgiveness of God.

Our song today is one of Bryn's selection - “Does Jesus Care” - LIVE.  Click on the picture of His care in action.

MAY 28 – What a gift!

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” - 2 Cor. 13:14

Grace is perhaps one of the most beautiful words in the whole world. The apostle Paul ends his second letter to the Corinthians with a prayer that “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ....be with you all.”

Grace is a gift poured out on us, moment by moment, in so many ways – the smile of a child – the gurgle of a babies laughter – the day your child says “I love you” – tramping through the fallen leaves of autumn, and fresh, falling winter snow – sitting by the fire, protected from a stormy winter's day - the glory of a sunset....and so many gifts more, and we've done nothing to deserve them.

We have a Father in heaven who is a great giver. He is where we find grace. At the time we need strength, when we are at our lowest ebb, He puts it in our hearts or provides it through someone close to us. We don't earn it. We don't deserve it. We don't bring it about. It's a gift. And it's offered freely to all who will accept.

Today's music is an unusual take on an old favourite, “Amazing Grace” - the Gaithers. Click to listen

'I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.' Ecclesiastes 9:11

In sport things happen very quickly. Decisions made in the heat of the moment nowadays are played out in the public eye through wide screen televisions and the ‘exclusive’ hungry media machine. Success isn’t measured anymore by wining but by the margin of the win.

Only last week the England cricket team were the laughing stock of the cricketing world as they draw a series they were expected to win, after crashing out of the world cup and being trounced in the ashes 18months ago. Then yesterday they eek out a convincing win against a New Zealand side who were runners up in the world cup and they are hailed as ‘world beaters!’

Similarly, in football Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid after two seasons in charge of the Spanish club. The Italian led Real to victory in the Spanish Cup before claiming the club's 10th European Cup last season. However this season his side finished second in Spain's top flight, two points behind fierce rivals Barcelona, who have reached the Spanish Cup and Champions League finals.

And finally Formula 1 series leader Lewis Hamilton despite qualifying in first place and dominating the Monaco Grand Prix finished 3^rd due to a technical blunder from his team. From his reaction you would have thought the world had ended.

There are numerous lessons, which can be learned here but I am only going to draw one.

It doesn’t matter whether you are first (like the England Cricket team), second (like Real Madrid) or third (like Lewis Hamilton), as the key text reminds us, the race isn’t given to the fastest runner, but he who endures to the end. You are in a race with and for yourself. No one can run it for you. But remember Jesus has already secured the prize, all He asks is that you run.

Bryn sent me this wonderful song by Gold City Quartet “I’m not giving up.” Click on the picture to listen.

And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23

Question. What do motor transport and the bible have in common?

Answer. A motoring campaign by Vauxhall.

Actually, I think it’s a little too clever for the average person on the street.

Introducing the new Vauxhall Adam (the Corsa rebranded) ‘Where everyone’s an original.’ I decided to do a little research just in the staffroom where I work. I asked two questions.

Have you seen the new advertising campaign by Vauxhall?

If the answer was yes then, why is it called the Vauxhall Adam? To my surprise not even the Christians made the connection until I pointed it out to them.

“I just thought that it was a male name at the beginning of the alphabet!’

“To be honest I never would have made the link until you said!”

Some people just use the bible as a reference book, an alternative thesaurus, a book stop on a shelf and now, as an advertising campaign?

During my research I even came across a YouTube clip where a son was advertising for a man for his mom. In the comment section below someone wrote

‘Good luck! I’m curious though, why the name Adam?’

As a bible believing Christian the book of Genesis tells me that God created the first man, Adam on the sixth day. He was the first man, created in Gods image. God saw that ‘it was good’ but Adam was alone. So he put him to sleep and from his rib created Eve to be his helpmeet. This is the real story, not the advertising campaign or the lost and looking for love advert.

Could this be an opportunity for you to use this as a witnessing opportunity?