The Fires of Temptation #3

During the Great Depression, Wall Street went from a high of 381 in 1929 to 42 in 1932. People jumped from buildings losing all hope of their future. They didn’t know how to process the pain they were experiencing. During the worst years of the Depression (1933-1934), the overall jobless rate was 25%! Have you ever been Tempted To GIVE UP?

James Braddock earned his nickname, Cinderella Man, from his seemingly fairytale like rise as a poor local fighter to the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Braddock, born in New York City, had a powerful right hand and a successful amateur career. He turned pro in 1926. Following an important fight with Loughran, and the stock market crash of 1929, Jim Braddock was down on his winning. He had a hard time struggling to win fights and put food on the table for his young family. On June 13th, 1935, in Long Island City, N.Y., Braddock, as a 10 to 1 Underdog, won the heavyweight championship of the world from Max Baer. He retired after a final win over Tommy Farr in 1938. Jim was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1964, the Hudson County Hall of Fame in 1991 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.

It’s always seemingly easier to just say “I’m Finished” than to Get Up and Swing one more time. The greatest Temptation most people fight in life isn’t stealing, lusting, pride, murder, alcohol, drugs or adultery, its falling into the Temptation of Quitting!

There are plenty of people in the Bible that could have GIVEN UP and QUIT.  What about Abraham who was old and without evidence of a Promised Son? Isaac, who faced the Philistines that had stopped up his wells? What about Joseph who was placed in a pit by his brothers and ended up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit? Moses, who murdered a man and ended up on the backside of a desert for 40 years? Would David, who committed murder and adultery ever rise above his failure? Job lost his wealth, health and confidence from his wife and friends. The list could go on and on of those like Elijah, Jacob, Jonah, Esther, Peter and Christ’s disciples. Each of them could have given up, BUT THEY DIDN’T !

James writes, “Count it all joy WHEN you fall into divers temptations knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2) God says we're all going to be Tested in life. When the test comes, don’t lose your SONG, your JOY, or your STRENGTH in the fiery struggles of life.

Mark my words; “HELL WORKS HARD AT HACKING INTO YOUR HEAD.” Several days ago it took me 2two hours to clear up a hacker from China who got into my email account. Friend, it’s worth it to BUILD  A FIREWALL around your mind and thoughts. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”(Phil 2:5) Realize when the next Test and Temptation to quit come your way, Nehemiah declared, “The JOY of the Lord is my Strength.” There is Strength from God to keep pressing REGARDLESS.

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