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| Volume 20 Number 3 March 2018 | Page 7 |
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| Volume 20 Number 3 March 2018 | Page 7 |
Editor's Note
Bonnie Rushmore
Could it be said that putting our wants and desires above the wishes of others is the root of all sin? Since sin is a biblical subject, we will observe a few passages from the Bible to reach a God approved answer to this question.
First, we must define sin. Sin is the “transgression of God’s law” (1 John 3:4). We sin when we fail to fulfill any or all of God’s laws. One can sin in thought (Matthew 5:22, 28; 1 John 3:15), by actions (Romans 2:32) and by words (Colossians 3:8-9). All sin falls into these three categories of our lives. The apostle John stated, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). All sin is a product of the world and cannot be associated with our heavenly Father.
Several New Testament passages list the sins in which one might engage. Theses verses outline the types of behavior that is unacceptable to God (Romans 1:29-32; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:2-4; Revelation 21:8; etc.).
One of Those Days
Martha Lynn Rushmore
Have you ever had one of those days that no matter how hard you tried to do things right, nothing worked out right? Of course, you have. All of us have had those days some time or another.
I read on Facebook about a friend of mine who had “one of those days.” She is a Christian wife, a mother, a teacher and a helper to her husband on the farm—and it is a large farm.
This is what wrote:
Today was one of those days where a few kind ladies in the grocery store told me, “Don’t worry, they won’t be like this forever.” Locked my keys in the car—check. Had the loudest kid in the store—check. Got all the ingredients for 28 dozen NHS truffles—of course not! Got the pigs loaded while it was still light out—not even close. Going to survive tomorrow’s teacher’s detention—to be determined.
She had many encouraging words from family and friends. I picked out one that was quite thought-provoking. One friend told her, “I call these kind of days ‘growing experiences.’ They remind you that God won’t give you more than you can handle, but he does like to shake things up a bit to get you better prepared for the next battle. A few months ago, when I had one of those days, you told me that tomorrow is here. Well, put your dress on (remember what you told your phych class) and get in there.”
I had always thought this quotation was in the Word of God. “God will not give us more than we can handle.” To my surprise, upon looking for this verse, I could not find it. The closest I could come up with is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” As you can see, it does not say God tempts, so therefore, God does not give us days that will cause us to be tempted to give up. Instead, God is the provider of ways to handle “these kind of days” so we will stay strong.
Satan is the one who gives us our troubles and trials. He does these things so we will fall away from God. The devil knows our weaknesses and our strengths. He does not work on our strengths, but he is ready to pounce on our weaknesses. This is especially true when we are at our lowest.
Remember how Satan tempted Job. God let this happen, but He knew Job would not leave Him. We are told Job had his health, his wife, his children, his friends and all his animals. As we would say, he had it all. That is what Satan told God. Why would Job leave you when he has it made; what more could he need or desire?
God gave the devil permission to tempt Job, but he could not touch him. So little by little Satan attacked Job, hoping that he would leave God, but it did not come to fruition. Job’s children died, his animals died, his health deteriorated, his friends turned against him and even his wife told Job, “Curse God and die.”
Finally, Job had his things restored, and he had even more animals than before. Job did not give up on God. He knew no matter what happened in the end, he would be taken care of by God.
So, remember, when you or I have “one of those days,” turn to God through prayer for strength and defeat Satan by having him on the run. I want to finish with the words of a children’s song.
One, Two, Three
One, two, three the Devil’s after me.
Four, five, six He’s always throwing bricks.
Seven, eight, nine, He misses every time.
Glory Hallelujah, Amen.
Nine, eight, seven, I’m on my way to Heaven.
Six, five, four the only open door.
Three, two, one the Devil’s on the run.
Glory Hallelujah, Amen.