Saying No To The Tempter...

Saying "No" is often times hard... Not only for my kids but also for me.... for everyone I think... There are many tempters in our world.... Many times temptation comes in the form of over indulging in a favorite dessert..... or skipping a class with a friend.... or flirting with an old boyfriend/girlfriend on Facebook... Temptation is everywhere.... At first it may appear to be innocent but that little voice in the back of your mind is probably telling you - "Say No!!! - This is not right - back away... - GET OUT"... We need to listen.. We need to step back... and many times we may need to terminate a relationship that involves a tempter..... a temptation...

It is really sad to me how lost our society has become... Marriage is not taken as seriously.... Monogamy is rarely practiced - just ask Elin Woods - how she felt when she discovered her husband.. the father to her two (2) beautiful babies had slept with 120 women... Or the single mom dropping off her kids at school - how she feels raising a family on her own - without the support of a husband.... Our morals... our beliefs.... our convictions are no longer driven by what is right... but rather they are driven by what feels good... whether it is right... or it is wrong rarely matters any longer...

As followers of Christ we need to live our lives UNCOMMONLY... We need to maintain our beliefs... We need to set an example for our children and for those around us... Not by judgment but by example... We are not of this world... We are for His world....

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:14.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for heirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven. Matthew 5:10-12

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.. Galatians 6:1

There are so many verses talking about fleeing the tempter... that I am thinking that it's a very important thing to do... What do you think?

One Moment Of Weakness

Have you ever gone on a diet.... and cheated.... And because you cheated you made yourself feel defeated.... and instead of jumping back on the diet you chose to blow it for the rest of the day... the rest of the week... the month... That one moment of weakness set you on a path of self destruction... This is what I believe happens when we sin... One sin - one moment of weakness - one indiscretion can create a domino effect of compounding our sin... to do more sin.. Until you are so buried... so caught up in what you are doing that it seems that there is no hope ... But all the time - your stomach - your heart is telling you to STOP... Have you ever felt this way?

Guilt is a very powerful negative emotion... I believe it is God's way of telling us to STOP!

Everyday is a new day... a new opportunity to do what is right... We can break away from sin... The decision is ours....

Hold Fast to what is right.. Hold Fast to your Father... Hold Fast to Love... Hold Fast... Don't give up...

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.. Psalm 51:10

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. Romans 8:1-3

Jesus said, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

Knock That Christian Chip Off Your Shoulder

I have often heard the quote "Hate the Sin - Love the Sinner".. Often times it is said when a Christian is talking about a gay person.. Basically saying that the gay person is sinning but we'll love them anyway.... But are we not all sinners? Wouldn't that quote apply to all of us? Why only pick one sin? Is being gay a bigger sin than killing? Lying? Lusting? I believe Sin is Sin... and I know that I am a sinner and I hope others still love me... God's standards are much higher than ours... what we may believe to be innocent flirting... in God's eyes we're having an affair....

I remember years ago when I was taking a class about how to talk to Jehovah Witnesses- a comment was said that I will remember to the day I die.... "If you want to glorify God - you have to take that Huge Christian Chip off your shoulder...." I took that quote to heart because it can be frustrating when you are discussing your faith.. your beliefs and others don't agree.... I have learned over time -the best witnesses is to live by example... don't point fingers... don't dismiss what others believe... but live your life on fire for God because when others notice that fire burning inside of you- they are going to want to be burnt...

We live in a time that was predicted over 2000 years ago... A time where everything is okay... Nothing is shocking any longer... Morals and and acceptance is no longer in alignment... and as followers of Christ - we cannot buy into this common life - a free for all... We must live an uncommon life... by living our lives not of this world... but of His... and we need to get that Christian chip off of our shoulders and love because He first loved us... Get on Fire... and stop saying those silly cliches.... "Hate the Sin - Love the Sinner" because we are all sinners.....

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

No, I Don't Want To Listen

You know what is super crazy about God? It's the fact that when He wants you to listen up - He makes it Clear and Apparent... A friend today called it the echo of God... That description fit perfectly into where I am today... The echo of God is telling me the answers... loud and clear... But do I want to listen to Him? The truthful answer would be "No" Being a follower of Christ is not an easy road to travel. My pastor this morning said it perfectly clear in his sermon... We live in a world of sin - God warns us throughout the Bible that because we are followers of Christ - we will be ridiculed and tempted... We will be unpopular - because of our faith... our beliefs... and the enemy - the evil one is just waiting for that slip... that break in our faith... that over indulgent moment to drive that wedge between our relationship with Jesus.... and many times we don't even recognize it's happening until it's too late...

As I shared before - I am going through a thing... And this thing is driving me insane - crazy...I want to say that I Don't know what to do ...that I Don't know what to say.. that I Don't know how to have my cake and eat it too.. But the truth of the matter is I do know what I have to do... and my sin... my want... is making it a tough choice.... But like I said - God makes it clear and apparent what He wants.. so much so that it is impossible to turn the other way...

So today not only was I hearing an echo in Sunday school... I heard an echo in the sermon, the radio, and tonight... Crazy.... What this echo thing is telling me is that God knows me... Me as an individual.. Me as the person I am - not one of many but just me and me and alone... He loves me and wants me to stand in the Son... He wants me to be in His word.... He does not want me to wonder.... He knows my name...

Why Does Temptation Look So Good?

A very good friend of mine left her husband of 27 years a few weeks ago.... To everyone that knows them - they appeared to have the perfect marriage... They held hands when they walked... They look into each others eyes when talking.... They laughed at each others sense of humor... They kissed in public - I know! I on more that one occasion jokingly told them to get a room... To be honest, I was jealous of what they showed to the world.... I would love it if Dusty (my husband) acted like he loved me in public.... he of course loves me - don't get me wrong..... but he's just a guy that isn't affectionate and I am a woman that craves it... enough said about that ....

So when my friend told me she left her husband - I of course asked why.... Her answer was one word and one word only.... Temptation.... Everyone and everything else looked better than what she had and she wanted more.. She had become friendly with a co-worker a couple of years ago - and then she found herself craving his attention - the friendship lead to after work coffee - then it led to dinner... and then so on... She told me she didn't wake up one morning and decide to leave her husband... it was a gradual thing.... and before she knew it - she pushed her love for her husband out and made room for someone else...

When I think of temptation - I think of things that are not good for me - such as....

A hot fudge sundae.... Fried cheese.... seeing an old boyfriend on the sly.... buying something that I have no business buying.... I think you get my drift... The list sounds good - I love fudge... and I would really love to have a new BMW... and the old boyfriend - let's just say - not a good thing...

Temptation is not sin but comes as a result of our sinful nature... My entire youth - I was always attracted to the "bad" things... I just was and as an adult - it something that I fight... and sometimes fail.... I am thankful I have a Father that knows me..... that forgives me.... and loves me anyway... I understand why my friend did what she did... Believe me - I've been married 21 years and I can honestly say - that the temptation has been there.... I have not acted on the temptation - at least not to the extent that I felt was wrong... and I am sure my friend did not start out wrong either.... Temptation can sneak in and take over if you are not forever watchful.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted..

Drinking Wine... Is It A Sin?

As a Southern Baptist woman - I often hear that drinking alcohol is bad.... that it leads to bad behavior and nothing good comes out of it. I have talked with friends at church who have shared that they felt very uncomfortable around people drinking... whether the person drinking is sober or not....

I have many friends that are Christians. Many of these friends are an inspiration to me. A few of them are active missionaries..... and they all drink wine and beer... So the Baptist side of me used to think - are they wrong?.... are they sinning?.... should I say something? On reflection - I believe the answer is no it's not wrong... no they are are not sinning... and why would I say anything.....

Why would Jesus' first miracle be to make wine if He had issues with it? He DOES have issues with being drunk and alcoholism but not the enjoyment of drinking wine.. I remember speaking with Nate York, the son of a Southern Baptist minister. Nate was very adamant that the wine Jesus made was just plain grape juice.. Nate told me "In the days of Jesus' ministry - grape juice was considered wine because the people of the time could only handle grape juice and that is why when the Baptist church celebrates communion -we drink little cups of grape juice and dry crackers...." That sounds plausible but the truth is - grapes would not "keep" unless they were turned into wine.

The new and old testament does warn us against drunkenness but also tells us to drink wine.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit..

1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

There are many verses to pull from in the Bible but I believe the ones I did pull say it all. The New Testament clearly teaches that real wine should be used in communion - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - the last supper when Jesus said drink this cup (wine) is the new covenant in My blood, drink it, in remembrance of Me...

Clearly, God does not say that drinking is sinful but like all things... food, sex, friendship, and wine can be misused and abused... Christians should encourage responsible drinking, rather automatically assume or judge a person who is enjoying a glass of wine with their meal as a sinner or an alcoholic ... I do believe strongly that it is sinful to tempt an alcoholic with wine... If I were having a dinner party and a person who I knew had a problem with drinking, I would not serve wine with our meal.... Yes, the person probably would stay away from drinking... but why tempt them? My husband and I disagree very strongly on this subject.. He believes it's okay to serve wine because the alcoholic is an adult and can take care of themselves... we are not his parents. This is one of those times that Dusty and I have to agree to disagree... maybe it's easier for me not to serve wine or alcohol... because I never drink.... hate the taste.... yuck..

What do you think?