"Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt 26:41
One of the great realities in life is that we know right from wrong. Whether we receive our morals from the bible, law, society or upbringing, we are fitted with an innate sense of good and evil. Depending on the afforementioned sources, what may be absolutely right for some may be absolutely wrong for others. Romans 14:5 bears this thought out. Romans 14:22-23 tells us that we get into trouble when we start operating outside of our convictions (just read the whole chapter). Let us then, each consider the following as it relates to ourselves and not what we see in others.
Having an understanding of righteousness, why are we so easily tempted to dabble, if not jump completely into sin? We were all born with a sin nature. We were all born into darkness. It is in fact, our native tongue and from whence we come. Thanks be to God that we were saved from sin but in truth, we are never far from it. We make many frequent visits to our former home whether it is through the desires of the eye, the flesh or our pride, 1 John 2:16.
Our ever present task is to resist temptation. This is absolutely critical to our spiritual health and welfare. Though sin may be attractive to our old selves because of the way it looks, feels, smells and tastes, we must know that these temporary pleasures end in death. In that none of us are free from sin, resisting temptation represents a difficulty for all of us. Be assured that it is not as difficult as leaving heaven, being abused by those you created and dying an agonizing self sacrificing death for people who to this day do not accept it or believe it. How is that for perspective?
We are not, however, without help. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Cor 10:13. It is up to us to use the escape God provides.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13-14]
In Revival,
Lee
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Stuff vs. Heaven-DD 4/22/2010
"But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions." Matt 19:21
It can hardly be argued that we live in society that esteems material possessions highly. People who have accumulated great wealth are often placed on pedestals. Their "wrongs" are overlooked and their "rights" are magnified. Many of us aspire to be like them or to position ourselves close to them in the hopes that we can somehow come close to their lifestyle. Earthly wealth and success however, can be an amazingly short term thing. Jesus said in Matt 19:24, "It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Moses, when faced with the decision to continue living in the lap of luxury or sacrifice all in pursuit of God, willingly left the position, power and possessions of Egypt. The rich young ruler made a different choice. While Moses looked forward to Christ, the young ruler spoke to him face to face. When he was told to leave his possessions in order to gain heaven, he famously walked away.
Beloved, we must all be acutely aware that our present is not our future. Whether abjectly poor or fabulously opulent, we must all know that an eternity with the Father will be beyond what we have the ability to conceive. Nothing that we possess in this present time should be allowed to keep us from that future. Put another way, don't let anything on earth keep you out of heaven.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13-14]
In Revival,
Lee
It can hardly be argued that we live in society that esteems material possessions highly. People who have accumulated great wealth are often placed on pedestals. Their "wrongs" are overlooked and their "rights" are magnified. Many of us aspire to be like them or to position ourselves close to them in the hopes that we can somehow come close to their lifestyle. Earthly wealth and success however, can be an amazingly short term thing. Jesus said in Matt 19:24, "It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Moses, when faced with the decision to continue living in the lap of luxury or sacrifice all in pursuit of God, willingly left the position, power and possessions of Egypt. The rich young ruler made a different choice. While Moses looked forward to Christ, the young ruler spoke to him face to face. When he was told to leave his possessions in order to gain heaven, he famously walked away.
Beloved, we must all be acutely aware that our present is not our future. Whether abjectly poor or fabulously opulent, we must all know that an eternity with the Father will be beyond what we have the ability to conceive. Nothing that we possess in this present time should be allowed to keep us from that future. Put another way, don't let anything on earth keep you out of heaven.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13-14]
In Revival,
Lee
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Experiencing Anger-DD 4/21/2010
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." Eph 4:26-27
It goes without saying that there is no shortage of things in life that can cause us to become angry. Between traffic, co-workers, the kids and yes, even brothers and sisters in the church, it is not unusual to find ourselves experiencing this emotion from time to time.
You might be surprised to know that in the 234 times it is mentioned in the KJV, the bible does not speak against experiencing anger. In fact, God is described as being angry on a number of occasions. The scriptures do, however, give parameters. Among others, we are to be slow to anger. Eph 4:38 advises us to put a great deal of distance between anger and ourselves. Our scripture of the day encourages us to not allow it to linger.
Further, we must continue to evaluate within ourselves what makes us angry, why any given thing causes us anger and perhaps most importantly of all, how we handle that anger. When Jesus became angry at the cleansing of the temple, it was due to a failure in righteousness. What would life be like if this was the only thing that upset us?
In all things, let us be sure to not give place to Satan. Surely it is a better use of our time to rejoice in the Lord and again I say, rejoice!
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13, 14]
In Revival,
Lee
It goes without saying that there is no shortage of things in life that can cause us to become angry. Between traffic, co-workers, the kids and yes, even brothers and sisters in the church, it is not unusual to find ourselves experiencing this emotion from time to time.
You might be surprised to know that in the 234 times it is mentioned in the KJV, the bible does not speak against experiencing anger. In fact, God is described as being angry on a number of occasions. The scriptures do, however, give parameters. Among others, we are to be slow to anger. Eph 4:38 advises us to put a great deal of distance between anger and ourselves. Our scripture of the day encourages us to not allow it to linger.
Further, we must continue to evaluate within ourselves what makes us angry, why any given thing causes us anger and perhaps most importantly of all, how we handle that anger. When Jesus became angry at the cleansing of the temple, it was due to a failure in righteousness. What would life be like if this was the only thing that upset us?
In all things, let us be sure to not give place to Satan. Surely it is a better use of our time to rejoice in the Lord and again I say, rejoice!
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13, 14]
In Revival,
Lee
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Stone Praise-DD 4/20/2010
"I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."
Luke 19:38
When Jesus made his triumphant yet ill fated entrance into Jerusalem, the bible records that the people spread their clothes on the ground for his mount to walk upon and that "they began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." Naturally, not everyone felt that same jubilation. In fact there were those who did not understand what all the fuss was about and were clearly irritated. They asked Jesus to shut them up.
Beloved it is right for the people of God to praise Him. The scriptures are replete with encouragements to "praise ye the Lord!" There are also many scriptural examples of people who stood against the Lord and those that praise Him. Now as then, the sons and daughters of the Almighty should never allow anyone to legislate nor dictate our adoration for the Lord. He is indeed worthy of any and all glory and honor we can muster, for He is the great I AM! The redeemed of the Lord who have seen His mighty hand ought to say so!
If we do not praise our Father for all He has done, is doing and is about to do, the very stones of the earth will cry out. I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let a rock out praise me!
PRAISE THE LORD!
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13-14]
In Revival,
Lee
Luke 19:38
When Jesus made his triumphant yet ill fated entrance into Jerusalem, the bible records that the people spread their clothes on the ground for his mount to walk upon and that "they began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." Naturally, not everyone felt that same jubilation. In fact there were those who did not understand what all the fuss was about and were clearly irritated. They asked Jesus to shut them up.
Beloved it is right for the people of God to praise Him. The scriptures are replete with encouragements to "praise ye the Lord!" There are also many scriptural examples of people who stood against the Lord and those that praise Him. Now as then, the sons and daughters of the Almighty should never allow anyone to legislate nor dictate our adoration for the Lord. He is indeed worthy of any and all glory and honor we can muster, for He is the great I AM! The redeemed of the Lord who have seen His mighty hand ought to say so!
If we do not praise our Father for all He has done, is doing and is about to do, the very stones of the earth will cry out. I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let a rock out praise me!
PRAISE THE LORD!
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13-14]
In Revival,
Lee
Monday, April 19, 2010
Serve The Lord-DD 4/19/2010
"...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15b
At a point very near his death, Joshua took the time to address the people he had lead for a significant portion of his life. He reminded them of all the great things God had done for them. He reminded them of the condition that was formerly theirs. He also reminded them of the terrible decisions they had made as it related to their obedience to God.
Joshua then issues some advice and a choice. His advice, based on all that God had done for them was to serve him in sincerity and to not be an idolatrous people. He then gives the people the same choice that God gives us all; choose Him or don't.
Beloved we still have that choice. We make that choice every day. We make that choice based on the things we think, do and say. We make it based on the way that we live our lives. Like the people of Joshua's time, we can choose to participate in the sinful behaviors we enjoyed before we became Christians, or we can "forget those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those things which are before (us), press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus." Phi 3:13-14.
As for not just me, but all of my household, we will serve the Lord.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13,14]
In Revival,
Lee
At a point very near his death, Joshua took the time to address the people he had lead for a significant portion of his life. He reminded them of all the great things God had done for them. He reminded them of the condition that was formerly theirs. He also reminded them of the terrible decisions they had made as it related to their obedience to God.
Joshua then issues some advice and a choice. His advice, based on all that God had done for them was to serve him in sincerity and to not be an idolatrous people. He then gives the people the same choice that God gives us all; choose Him or don't.
Beloved we still have that choice. We make that choice every day. We make that choice based on the things we think, do and say. We make it based on the way that we live our lives. Like the people of Joshua's time, we can choose to participate in the sinful behaviors we enjoyed before we became Christians, or we can "forget those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those things which are before (us), press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus." Phi 3:13-14.
As for not just me, but all of my household, we will serve the Lord.
[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13,14]
In Revival,
Lee
Friday, April 16, 2010
Follow His Lead-DD 4/16/2010
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psa 23:1
So begins one of the most beautiful and well known passages of scripture to be found within the pages of inspiration. Though we may know the words by heart, do we understand their meaning? Written by one who himself was once responsible for tending sheep, the correlation is more powerful than the words themselves.
We, analogized as sheep throughout scripture, have a need to be led. Even with leadership we tend to wander off and must be retrieved for our own good, lest we fall into peril, even death. We depend on the Shepherd to show us the safe and right way to go. This is in opposition to being driven like cattle. We do not respond well to being pushed from behind, but led from the front.
Our Shepherd likewise provides for all of our needs. This is accomplished because He knows what we need and knows how and where to lead us to obtain what is necessary for the extension of our lives. He provides things that we, in and of ourselves, would not be able to acquire.
What a wonderful Shepherd we have. He has said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14. If we would but follow where He leads, we will find ourselves in the ultimate eternal pasture.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
So begins one of the most beautiful and well known passages of scripture to be found within the pages of inspiration. Though we may know the words by heart, do we understand their meaning? Written by one who himself was once responsible for tending sheep, the correlation is more powerful than the words themselves.
We, analogized as sheep throughout scripture, have a need to be led. Even with leadership we tend to wander off and must be retrieved for our own good, lest we fall into peril, even death. We depend on the Shepherd to show us the safe and right way to go. This is in opposition to being driven like cattle. We do not respond well to being pushed from behind, but led from the front.
Our Shepherd likewise provides for all of our needs. This is accomplished because He knows what we need and knows how and where to lead us to obtain what is necessary for the extension of our lives. He provides things that we, in and of ourselves, would not be able to acquire.
What a wonderful Shepherd we have. He has said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14. If we would but follow where He leads, we will find ourselves in the ultimate eternal pasture.
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
Thursday, April 15, 2010
How Is Your Portfolio?-DD 4/15/2010
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." Heb 11:24-26
There are many who look at the Christian life as one of restriction and denial of many things to which all people are entitled. As times continue to advance, it seems that society allows more and more of the things that are counter to the teaching of Christ and to the very commands of God. Of course these things are not new. There has been sin and debauchery virtually since the creation of man. The enjoyment of these things creates a natural division between those who are endeavoring to live according to God's word and those who are not.
The focus today is not on those who are not, but those who are. Paul said in 1Cor 6:12 that all things were lawful to him but not expedient (profitable). We all have the ability and the right to go out and do whatever we want but would things contrary to leading godly lives be profitable? I submit to you that they in fact could be extremely costly.
As a member of Pharaoh's household, Moses might have enjoyed a life filled with luxury, wealth and the satisfaction of the slightest whim throughout all the days of his life. He clearly realized that compared with eternity, the pleasures of this world are insignificant. He was willing to invest in the Lord and His guarantees of the ultimate return. How is your spiritual portfolio?
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." Heb 11:24-26
There are many who look at the Christian life as one of restriction and denial of many things to which all people are entitled. As times continue to advance, it seems that society allows more and more of the things that are counter to the teaching of Christ and to the very commands of God. Of course these things are not new. There has been sin and debauchery virtually since the creation of man. The enjoyment of these things creates a natural division between those who are endeavoring to live according to God's word and those who are not.
The focus today is not on those who are not, but those who are. Paul said in 1Cor 6:12 that all things were lawful to him but not expedient (profitable). We all have the ability and the right to go out and do whatever we want but would things contrary to leading godly lives be profitable? I submit to you that they in fact could be extremely costly.
As a member of Pharaoh's household, Moses might have enjoyed a life filled with luxury, wealth and the satisfaction of the slightest whim throughout all the days of his life. He clearly realized that compared with eternity, the pleasures of this world are insignificant. He was willing to invest in the Lord and His guarantees of the ultimate return. How is your spiritual portfolio?
[Memory verse of the week: Prov 3:5-6]
In Revival,
Lee
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