"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
Who is responsible when you are drawn away to do evil? The Devil is not responsible. You are responsible.
My friend, you could solve a great deal of your problems for which you are blaming someone else if you would say to the living Jesus Christ who is right now at God's right hand, "I'm a sinner. I'm guilty." Then He will remove your guilt complex. He is the only one that can do that.
Evil is attractive today. We are told that Moses was caught up at first in the pleasures of sin. Man can be enticed; the hook can be baited. If he yields, before long a person will become an alcoholic or a dope addict. James says that it is of your own lust that you are drawn away into sin.
What we need to do is center our thoughts and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
James 1:12
"Blessed is th man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
Did you know that testing is one of God's methods of developing us in the Christian faith. This is the way He is going to enable us to grow and develop patience in our lives down here on this earth.
When faith is tested and surrounded by darkness, when the waves are rolling high and you can't see over the hill, the child of God knows that this is not the end. It may be gloom now, but it will be glory later on.
Did you know that testing is one of God's methods of developing us in the Christian faith. This is the way He is going to enable us to grow and develop patience in our lives down here on this earth.
When faith is tested and surrounded by darkness, when the waves are rolling high and you can't see over the hill, the child of God knows that this is not the end. It may be gloom now, but it will be glory later on.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
James 1:2-3
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
"Divers temptations" means various trials. In other words, when you are having trouble, don't start crying as if something terrible has happened to you. You are to rejoice and count it all joy that God is testing you in this way. God does not give us trouble for trouble's sake; it is not an end in itself. God has a goal in mind--you can count on that.
There is a reason for them, and it is a good reason. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
"Divers temptations" means various trials. In other words, when you are having trouble, don't start crying as if something terrible has happened to you. You are to rejoice and count it all joy that God is testing you in this way. God does not give us trouble for trouble's sake; it is not an end in itself. God has a goal in mind--you can count on that.
There is a reason for them, and it is a good reason. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Monday, March 15, 2010
Psalm 55:22
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Have you ever wondered why Jesus "constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side" (Matthew 14:22), knowing that a storm was going to brew shortly after they set sail? Why would He send them right into the teeth of a stormy gale? Because He wanted them to know that He was sufficient for them. He wanted them to worship Him.
Your storm is nothing but a superhighway to bring you to Jesus. It is the vehicle that moves you from a head knowledge to an experiential understanding that God is Who He says He is.
It was Andre Crouch who said, "For if I never had a problem, I would never know that God could solve them. And I would never know what faith in His word could do."
Have you ever wondered why Jesus "constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side" (Matthew 14:22), knowing that a storm was going to brew shortly after they set sail? Why would He send them right into the teeth of a stormy gale? Because He wanted them to know that He was sufficient for them. He wanted them to worship Him.
Your storm is nothing but a superhighway to bring you to Jesus. It is the vehicle that moves you from a head knowledge to an experiential understanding that God is Who He says He is.
It was Andre Crouch who said, "For if I never had a problem, I would never know that God could solve them. And I would never know what faith in His word could do."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
1 Peter 1:16
"Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy."
Why would you and I choose to live a holy life? One reason is that we anticipate His Second Coming. When we are looking for Christ's return at any moment, we desire to be clean and holy in preparation of seeing Him.
For example, if you knew Jesus was coming this afternoon, do you think you'd get some things right in your life? Would there be somebody with whom you've had a falling out that you'd want to make amends? Would there be some sins for which you would need to repent?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then act upon your answers in faith, bringing God glory in your obedience. Jesus may come today!
Why would you and I choose to live a holy life? One reason is that we anticipate His Second Coming. When we are looking for Christ's return at any moment, we desire to be clean and holy in preparation of seeing Him.
For example, if you knew Jesus was coming this afternoon, do you think you'd get some things right in your life? Would there be somebody with whom you've had a falling out that you'd want to make amends? Would there be some sins for which you would need to repent?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then act upon your answers in faith, bringing God glory in your obedience. Jesus may come today!
Monday, March 1, 2010
2 Timothy 2:22
"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Purity doesn't seem to be in vogue these days, but let me tell you what a father told his daughter one day. She wrote him while away at college: "Dear Dad, My classmates make promiscurity sound so natural and so inevitable. There are times when I wonder what I am waiting for."
Her father wrote her back: "You are waiting to be free from the nagging voice of conscience and from the gray shadow of guilt, free to give all of yourself, not a panicky fraction. Some deep instinct in you knows what tremendous influence your first complete union will be. And that same instinct keeps telling you not to waste it."
Oh, how I wish more families were open enough to discuss this issue and to encourage young people to remain pure.
Purity doesn't seem to be in vogue these days, but let me tell you what a father told his daughter one day. She wrote him while away at college: "Dear Dad, My classmates make promiscurity sound so natural and so inevitable. There are times when I wonder what I am waiting for."
Her father wrote her back: "You are waiting to be free from the nagging voice of conscience and from the gray shadow of guilt, free to give all of yourself, not a panicky fraction. Some deep instinct in you knows what tremendous influence your first complete union will be. And that same instinct keeps telling you not to waste it."
Oh, how I wish more families were open enough to discuss this issue and to encourage young people to remain pure.
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