Tuesday, November 26, 2013
The Value of Trials and Temptation
Dear Friends,
A reading from the letter of Saint James 1, 1 – 15:
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptations, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”, for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters; all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
——————————
We had a very windy day yesterday. It snowed just a little bit and there is no snow on the roads, just a bit in the grass. We will have rain today.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words:
“I call you to be united to Me, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters, so that you will have the strength to persevere when you are face to face with a trial. With My help you can overcome every trial. It is in this way that you become perfect and My great friend.
You have to ask for My help with great faith knowing that if you ask, you will receive what you need. Do not doubt when you asked because if you do you will not receive anything.
Every person who follows Me will be tempted at times. There are three different kinds of temptations. One can be tempted by the devil. He can come to you as he came to Me in the desert. He knows your weaknesses and he tempts you through them. Be watchful and do not let yourself be taken by the evil one. You can be tempted by the world. You read newspapers and watch television and you are attracted to different things that are going on. You might want to be rich and you might try wrong ways to get money. Some people steal money or steal things that belong to another. This is sinful and no one should do that. You can be tempted by the flesh. Desires can come in your heart to have sex with a person who is not your wife or husband. You might be tempted to drugs or to alcohol. All this shows how human beings can be twisted and have the desire to follow the wrong way. You have to be alert so you do not give in to any of these temptations. Remain closely united with Me and you will have the strength to overcome them all. I bless you.”
Father Melvin