Don't Settle for Second-Best !

(Don't Settle for Second-Best) "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience ."(James 1:-2- 3). I admit. It's tough to be enthusiastic about going through test and trial. But can you get excited about being totally supplied in every way, in one of nothing ? Well, according to the word of God, if you'll usually trial or test to develop patience, you're going to be in precisely that position ! Why, because if you would do with the Scripture says count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations God's power will be able to be demonstrated in your life. You see, patient doesn't mean what you thought it meant. It does not mean settling sweetly for second-best. It does not mean standing immediately by while the devil romps all over you. No, patience is a powerful word. The New Testament meaning of it as translated literally from the Greek is "to be constantly constant or to be the same way all the time, regardless of what happens or what is happening." To understand how much power is involved in that, you have to realize that it's one of the most understanding attributes of God Hhimself. The Bible says He's the same yesterday, today and forever. That's because His Word never changes ! We are the ones who will have to make the necessary changes along the lines of what the Word says. Think about that for a moment. The guy who absolutely cannot be changed by anyone or anything is an extremely powerful fellow, wouldn't you say ? Obviously, God has that much power. But you know what ? You do too ! Why, because you have been re-created in his image and his likeness, by the power of the Holy Ghost working within you, you can be the same every day no matter what happens. If you'll put your trust in the Word of God and let patience go to work, it won't matter what happens. You won't ever have two accept anything less than victory again. Now that's something to get excited about. (2 Timothy 3:10- 17)