Why Temptations? by Shalene Kearney

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. James 1:12-14 NKJV

Satan desires that we should fall away from the hope that God has given us. He does so with lies and half truths. He offers us that which we think we want, and when we accept it, and have sinned in the process, he drags us down with guilt and lies about our continued salvation. He does not want us to continue to glorify the Lord. Because in so doing, we may just reach another who needs to hear that we all fall short of His glory.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41 (emphasis mine)

Why do we believe the deceiver's lies?

Because he offers us what the "everyone else has." That is, what society tells us is acceptable and/or desirable. We listen because to resist is to deny ourselves. This is not easy to do. Many of us are taught from the moment we are able to think on our own that independence and self sufficiency are good things. I beg to differ.

God calls us to be utterly dependent upon him and to acknowledge that without Him we would have nothing. For He provides all. It all belongs to Him. We are only stewards of that which we have been given. Keeping this in mind, always, should make it easier to avoid temptation.

Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food? Job 38:41 NKJV

I think the Pope (I don't know which one, as my source did not list it, and I am not Catholic.) said it best, this way:

Concerning God, His Works, Providence:

"This term, in its widest application, signifies the Divine Presence in the world as sustaining, controlling, and guiding to their destination all things that are made. The will of God determines the end for which His creatures exist; His wisdom and His goodness appoint the means by which that end is attained: in the conservation of the frame of nature, in the care of all creatures that have wants, in the government especially of intelligent and probationary beings; and His power ensures the accomplishment of every design."--Pope

To summarize: We are tempted by the deceiver into thinking that the Lord will not provide for all our needs, because we intertwine our needs with our wants. God does not promise to provide all our wants. And in fact, does not because to do so would make us like spoiled children. God is not a "feel good" God. How many people would you want around you as your "friends" if they were only there because of what you could give them? And not because they truly wished to be with you and be a part of your life? God gives us what we need to become the person he created us to be. If that means that we do without materially, then that's what he gives us, or doesn't give us as the case may be. He also disciplines us, by allowing our choices to have consequences. If we choose to listen to the deceiver's lies, we will face consequences. God is merciful, though, and all that repent will be forgiven.

--Lord, I pray today that my words reach the eyes of someone that needs to hear this message. I ask that you continue to use me to reach those that are bogged down by the guilt of sin. Use me to encourage them to repentence and to avoid temptations. Relying only on Your divine providence. I pray that you also cleanse me of my sins today Lord, and that You forgive me for any and all attempts to give into temptations. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

LOVE IN ANY LANGUAGE by Vonette Bright

"Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" ( 1 Timothy 1:13-15). Becka answered the knock at her front door. There were three nicely dressed women. Becka was from a Middle Eastern country and didn't have many friends.

She opened the door and spoke to the women. Becka explained that she didn't speak English very well. Then to her surprise, one lady spoke to Becka in her language! She asked if she could tell her about Jesus. Becka said, "Yes."

The woman opened her Bible. And Becka was amazed to see that the woman's Bible was written in Arabic! But she was more shocked by the words from the Bible. The words opened Becka's heart to God's love. She invited Jesus into her heart through prayer. Becka believed God sent the ladies to open her eyes to His truth.

Friend, use the abilities God has given you to reach others for Christ.

HAVE TO OR GET TO? by Gail Rodgers

What do you love to do? Do you have to stop and think hard about it? In the face of all you have to do have you forgotten what it is you love to do?

God created YOU unique, special. When you were conceived, no matter the circumstances, His knitting needles began to knit you into just the person you are. Oh yes, you have been shaped by circumstances and people and life... yet deep inside is the treasure of YOU.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully make; Your works are wonderful..." (Psalm 139:13, 14).

Today think of all the "Have to" things on your list that need to get done. Now add one "Get to" thing... just for you. Something that will celebrate the unique creation you are in God's sight.

It doesn't matter that you aren't where you hope to one day be with your career, your relationships, your weight, or any number of markers on the wall that you have for yourself. Just celebrate you in some simple yet specific way.

Get some fresh flowers for yourself.
Sit outside and have a coffee break.
Go for lunch with a friend.
Buy a cheap kid's paint set and nurture that desire to paint.
Have ice cream!
Give yourself permission to take a nap.
Stop at a park on your way home and enjoy the green for even five minutes.

As nurturing women we can bury ourselves in the needs of others. One lady told me she didn't even know anymore what her dreams were. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. That's why He made you uniquely you, placed you in this time in life and in the circle you are in. The plans God has for you are things that will bring joy to your heart. They are "get to" things!

Start today and celebrate you. Ask God to begin to show you the "get to" things among the "have to" things.

His work is wonderful. That includes you. See yourself through His eyes today and celebrate!

~Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You see me as no one else does. You made me and You have said I am wonderful. Help me today to see myself as You do. Help me to celebrate me as I thank You. Help me to take some time for the " get to" things in my "have to" life and may I bring joy to You as I do. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Discover Your Life's Assignment by Bob Gass

"If anyone serves he should do it with the strength god provides."
1 Peter 4:11 NIV

If you watch people who are fulfilling their life's assignment, their motivation is high. They have amazing endurance to overcome obstacles. They are growing and learning. There's real joy in what they do. To miss out on your life's assignment is to miss out on why God made you. Whether your job is in a church or a business, you were gifted and called by God - and you'd better take it seriously! Here are some questions to help you find your life's assignment:

What's my raw material? God has given you a certain temperament and talents, and you have to honour your raw material. What unlocks your compassion? (Sometimes the problem that infuriates you most is the problem you were born to solve.) Why do I do this? There's a big difference between doing something because you believe God's called you to it, and doing what your parents, your friends or your ego wants you to do. What are my limitations? Knowing what you're called to do often starts with discovering what you're not called to do. When you can accept your limitations, you're on the road to understanding your life's assignment.

So let's be clear: you have an assignment. It has to do with what God hard-wired into you. You must seek it with an open mind. When people pretend to be something they're not, they live with a chronic sense of inadequacy and set themselves up for a lifetime of frustration. Don't do that. Be ruthlessly open to the truth about yourself. Your life's assignment is something you discover, not something you choose.

My "Church," My "Religion," and My Faith

If you have followed my last few posts regarding "church" membership, fellowship and accountability, then you will understand that I do support the attendance within a "church." I do this not because I support a particular doctrine or place of worship, rather it is because I find that fellowship with like minded believers helps to strengthen my own faith walk. I do not expect others to agree with my stance, nor do I feel it lessens their ability to strengthen their own faith walk, unless they find that they are unable or unwilling to "walk in the Spirit" on their own. There are not many that can do so. In order for most to be strong in their faith and in their convictions that what they believe is the Truth, they need others to help guide their steps. Yesterday, in the church that I attend, our pastor made a good point for this. He gave an illustration of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus took 3 of his closest "friends" and asked them to stand watch for him, because as He said: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Matthew 26:36-38 (NIV) In Ecclesiastes we read that "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to heop him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) This was also from our sermon yesterday. The basis for this sermon was being Spiritual Warriors for the Lord, and that we all need others that will help us. This does not mean that we must belong to a "church" as a place, but rather to a "church" as a body of LIKE MINDED believers, regardless of the meeting "place." I do not think it necessary for me to denounce my "religion" as my faith is my "religion." I give myself a label of "Christian" because that is what others would say I am. I am a Christ follower, first and foremost. I am not perfect, only loved by a perfect God! Nor has any other Christian ever been perfect (Jesus was not a Christian, as He did not follow himself.) I do not feel as some do that the Cross is a symbol of warfare, but rather a symbol of all that Christ gave, so that we might have eternal life. I do not worship the cross, but rather the one that died upon it, and then rose from the dead 3 days later! I pray the blessings of the Lord upon all that read this post.

Is There Any Need for Church??

There are those that would say that going to church is not necessary for salvation. There are those that would disagree. Here's what I think: going to "church" is not necessary for salvation. However, I do think that fellowship with other believers is necessary for continued growth and discernment in your Christian faith walk. Jesus said that gathering together to study his words and his message and finding agreement (everyone agreed as to what was meant, and all understood.)

"I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers,* I am there among them." Matthew 18:19,20 (NLT) *Greek: gathered in my name

These were Jesus' words, people! He instructed us to gather together so that we might lift one another up, and be able to discern God's will in all matters, rather than our own. All believers have the Holy Spirit within to help guide their ways, but God did not take away our free will when He gave us the Spirit. We are still tempted, and we will still ignore the Spirit's prompting and need others that will hold us accountable, and take the time to explain why our sin was sin. (I think that quite often our sin may not actually be intentional, or we just have not evaluated whether our actions or thoughts are sinful.)

The only perfect human was Jesus himself, and even He kept fellowship with others so that He might teach them, and so that all might learn from one another and keep each other accountable to the Word of God and to His instruction as Christ followers. Jesus also stated that the church would be the rock upon which His foundation would be laid.

By "church" He meant a body of believers that were in fellowship with one another on a regular and consistent basis. Whether that means going to an organized church every Sunday, or having a bible study in your home regularly, I don't know if it matters. What does matter is that you have fellowship.

In fact, I think it's possible to have virtual fellowships, if they are consistent, and the people in fellowship with one another can truly be in fellowship with one another. I also feel it's necessary that there is some educated knowledge of scripture, with attendees all having various levels of spiritual maturity, but with at least one person that is able to teach the others (because they have studied the word extensively and have tested their interpretations of it.)

Even Jesus went to synagogue regularly. "When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. Luke 4:16 (NLT) If Jesus, the Son of God, and Savior of all, went to church regularly, who are we to dissuade anyone??? I for one wouldn't want to take the chance that I might be discouraging someone from seeking the Lord.

If you read 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 You will find that Paul shows us here that we all need one another, because we are each a part of the whole "body of Christ." And goes on to say that "This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it..." 1 Cor 12:25-27 (NLT)

For those that say that the church today is not what Jesus intended, I say this: Many churches and congregations have stumbled in their efforts to spread the Good News, and some have had leaders that stumbled. But who are we to judge? Do we not have logs in our own eye? I do not think that we can lump all churches into this group.

There are churches available that teach the Word of God, as it is written; and that strive to be truly godly in their leadership, and encourage their members to do the same. The only thing that is accomplished by discouraging church attendance, is that unbelievers usually stay unbelievers, and sinners die without ever knowing the saving grace of God.

So again I say: Do I think that church attendance is the only way to be in fellowship with other believers? No, I don't. However, I do think you must be in fellowship, in some manner. Do I think that every believer needs another to help hold them accountable? Most assuredly yes. To believe otherwise, is to listen to the deceiver, just as Eve did in the Garden, when she was told that by eating the fruit of knowledge, she would be as God. You cannot be sinless, it is not possible. You can try, and you can come close, perhaps, but all of us are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. Even after accepting Christ as our savior. Let go of pride in self, and reach out in love to others that may need your "body part."
Love and Blessings in His Holy Name.

Stewards - Not Owners! By Bob Gass

"He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:30

When the crowds left John the Baptist to follow Jesus, he said: "This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the centre, while I slip off to the sidelines" (John 3:30 TM). John thought like a steward. A steward simply manages something for the owner until he comes to take it back. John knew that the crowd leaving him for Christ was never his to begin with. God had simply placed them under his care for a period of time to accomplish certain purposes. With John this was apparently just fine.

John's view of stewardship presents us with an important principle. For his crowds may be our careers, our assets, our natural and spiritual gifts, etc. Are these things owned or merely managed in the name of the One Who entrusted them to us? Your answer depends on whether you're called or driven. Driven people consider them owned; called people don't. When driven people lose things it's a major crisis; when called people lose them, nothing's changed. Why? Because their calling is not to a position, it's to a person - the person of Christ. Knowing who he was not was the beginning of John knowing who he was. And who was he? A steward! And he didn't aspire to anything beyond that.

What is success, as God counts success? It's when others hear you, but follow Jesus. It's when others see some quality in you that causes them to fall more in love with Him. Only when that happens, and you feel like you've lost nothing in the process, can you truly say, "Father, I've done what You called me to do."