Grab it, you know you want it, go ahead, what harm is there? So said the enemy to Eve and so he’s been saying ever since and so have people been guided into grabbing whatever tempts them the most! The enemy lies, lures, entices, dresses up each temptation to seduce the weaknesses of our souls. Be it alcohol, drugs, sex, money, envy, power, whatever, he knows our soft spots. So what are we to do? Clothe ourselves in the armor of God and defend ourselves with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, the same way Jesus shut down satan when he tried to tempt Him in the wilderness! So what does the Word tell us to do? Flee youthful lusts, use your feet and move on down the road! Like Job, make a covenant with your eyes and turn from looking at worthless things, change the channel, and instead look on whatever is lovely, whatever is pure. Refocus your thoughts. Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. If you are really struggling with something, find someone you trust to share your temptation with, someone who understands and will help hold you accountable to change. It isn’t easy and it is a never ending battle but it is one we can win! God has promised to do His part and He expects you to do yours. Best first step, when temptation calls, say it must be a wrong number and just hang up!
Temptations, who doesn’t have one, or two, or more? One of satan’s greatest tools to destroy and make Christians ineffective. What’s yours? The devil’s toolbox is limitless and he will use them all, if he has to, until he finds the one that works best on you. Slowly, subtly, until the temptation starts to build up in our heart and then we are enticed and drawn away by our desires that seem so good and harmless until they turn into a disaster! It’s easy to say the devil made me do it (and that’s partially true) but, no, he didn’t. He may have opened the door, lied to you about what you’re missing if you don’t go in,, but ultimately it is you that chooses to go across the thresh hold! But you don’t have to give in! We aren’t unaware, we have been warned about the devil’s lies and ruses. We are told to keep our feet from evil. If you have a problem with alchol, don’t hang out in bars! But most importantly, we are told in times of distress to call upon God! He’s there and wants to help us. As Paul affirms in 1 Cor 10, “… God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it.” Hey, temptations will come, and they can be very tempting, but use them to strengthen your faith by turning to your Heavenly Father to defeat the father of lies!
In a dark and wicked world there is a place of refuge. A place of love and acceptance, a place for all, for any, who choose to seek it, a place ordained by God. That place is His church of which Jesus is the head. A world wide body of believers that worship in different buildings. Each building should be a beacon in the dark, a lighthouse to those floundering on the waves of the world. Their light should be shinning so bright with love and encouragement and unity that the lost and lonely would flock through their doors. The church of Jesus should be a place of peace, edification, and non-judgmental. The church, along with individuals, is an ambassador for the Lord. If people don’t see Him in the church, where are they going to find Him? No individual church is perfect, but that should be each one’s goal! While we all aren’t going to agree on every point of doctrine, we can agree to love one another, not to think less of ourselves but to think of ourselves less and others more. We can accept one another, as Jesus accepted us, with flaws and faults. As a church, we are an oasis in a dry and dusty land. Let us do all we can to make our oasis one where people find the living water that Jesus freely gives!
As Joe South wrote in 1967, “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s gotta be a little rain sometime,” or as Jesus said a few years earlier, “In the world you will have tribulation.” Being a Christian is not all fun and games. James tells us, “when you fall into various trials.” Peter warns us, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you.” There are going to be good times, but there will be hard times, and while everyone’s hard times aren’t the same, they are for the same reason, to strengthen you, strengthen your faith, to strengthen your trust in Him. God knows what’s best for you, what you need to help mature, We need to remember that trials are for our benefit and that “All things work together for good. to those who love God. to those who are called according to His purpose.” As they say, no pain, no gain, big trials bring big smiles (eventually). While we may never have a life free of trials, we will never have to go through any trial alone. Always remember, He will never leave nor forsake you, trials strengthen you, and while the world may be full of tribulation, Jesus has overcome the world! Don’t be cocky, but with confidence you can say, “Bring ’em on, You and me got this Lord!”
What were you created to be? Well, first of all, you were created to be you! You’ve got talents and traits and abilities and features from generations of genes mixed together that uniquely form you. But then, when you surrender that unique heart to the Lord, you start the process of becoming what God truly made you to be, like His Son! It is not an overnight thing, it’ll take time, a lifetime, but it is what we are to strive to do. We need to stop being conformed to this world and renew our minds, change our way of thinking, let go of old ways. It’s not easy and it’s not meant to be done alone. That’s why He has given us His Holy Spirit, His Word, His people. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for His help daily. We need to study His Word for wisdom. We need His people, each other, to encourage, comfort, and sharpen one another. Becoming like Jesus may sound like a lofty goal, but it is what God expects of us. It may not always seem we’re making as much progress as we’d like, so then there is a question we need to ask and answer ourselves. Am I really trying?
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By Tim Irving – Evangelism Team