Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (James 1:2-3 AMP) Okay, not going to sugar coat this one, but trials and temptations are definitely not something I count as wholly joyful! It goes without saying that each of us faces these day-to-day issues designed to keep us from following Jesus as closely as we'd like. They seem to come at us from all sides and definitely feel like they are 'enveloping us' in their snare, don't they? We must learn how to encounter them well, avoiding the snare completely. To that end, it may actually help to understand why we actually encounter these 'moments in time' that are seemingly designed to make us fail. They bring out endurance. Let me be the first to admit that aging has decreased my physical endurance, but my spi...
So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 AMP) The 'to' and 'for' is kind of a different way of interpreting this familiar passage, isn't it? What would you have another do 'to' and 'for' you? If we are honest here, the imperative is that we act or behave in the manner we want others to act or behave toward us. We are always being observed, no matter our 'stature' or 'prominence' in this society. Consider for just a moment some of the behavior we have seen from those in prominent positions. Do they behave with decorum and grace? Or do they behave with a lack of sensitivity toward others? The higher our 'prominence' or 'position' in life, the more we can count on others observing our behavior and adopting similar behavior as 'okay'. It is as though we 'set the norm' for behavior for tho...