Good Morning Girls!  We ended last week with 1 Corinthians 10:13.  There is so much encouragement in this one scripture that we are going to look at it again today.  Let's break it down into the different things we are told in this verse. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  On Friday, I assured you that every single person struggles with different things.  Our temptations may be different, but our emotional and physical reactions to temptations are very similar.  There is comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles to become the person God intended us to be.  And God is faithful.  Four simple words.....and God is faithful.  My question to you is:  Are you faithful?  Are you pressing through with everything you've got?  Are you as faithful to your commitment as God is to you?  Or, are you expecting the Lord to do all the work.  He is faithful to help you, but you have to do your part. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  God knows your breaking point.  After all, He did create you!  Here he promises that he will not let you be tempted past your breaking point.  He is right there with you.  I do believe there are times when He lets us get right to our breaking point.  He does this for a couple of reasons.  First of all, until we are pushed to the limit, we have no idea what our limits are.  We often do not give ourselves enough credit.  Our flesh cries "you can't do that".  The devils whispers "remember, you've tried this before and failed."  If we just believe in the previous statement......And God is faithful, we can trust that He will not let us get into trouble if we call on Him.  Every time we hit our breaking point and press through, our confidence increases and we slowly start realizing the gifts the Lord has given us.  With increased confidence we are ready to take on more "assignments" from Him.  We are better witnesses to those who are approaching their breaking points.  The other reason He allows us to get pushed to our limit is so realize that in order to go the full distance, we need Him.  It is usually on the border of that breaking point that we cry out to Him, and guess what.....God is faithful, He will answer your cry (unless of course you are crying wolf, but that is a whole other topic).  When I look back and see how God was with me at every breaking point, it strengthens my relationship with Him.  He becomes more personal. more real, more loving, more encouraging.  I can move forward with refreshed boldness as I believe more and more that He is in fact with me at all times, even if I feel alone.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.  If we are going to be pushed to our limits, we can be comforted in knowing that at that threshold is a way out.  Sometimes it is as simple as common sense.  Do not go to the mall if you cannot buy anything.  Do not have ice cream in the house, if you cannot leave it alone.  We learned last week the power of "proactive prayer".  If you spend time in prayer before temptations come, you will be strengthened and be able to hear the Holy Spirit guide you out of the situation.  The more grounded you are in the Word, and have faith in what you cannot see, the easier it will be to fight the circumstances that are in front of you.  Sometimes the Lord uses another person to intervene.  Sometimes He helps by removing the desire from your flesh. We have no idea all of the things the Lord does in order to protect us, and help us.  Again, if we believe the 4 simple Words....And God is faithful, we do not have to concern ourselves with the how's, we just need to believe in the why.......because He loves you!!! 

1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Love you all-
jen