2024-08-04
Hebrews 2:18 NKJV
If you are serious about overcoming temptation, here are five things you must do:
(1) Think about the choices you are making, and the consequences, before you make them. Wisdom always looks ahead.
(2) Believe that you can resist temptation – because you can. “You are of God… and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).
(3) Recall how you felt when you gave in to temptation before. Guilt, condemnation, shame. These are some of Satan’s favourite weapons. When you give in to them, it’s hard to get back on your feet again.
(4) Don’t put yourself in situations where you can easily fall. If you struggle with managing your money, don’t go to the mall or shop online when you can’t afford to buy anything. If you struggle with pornography, remove the source of it from your life.
(5) Celebrate each victory, but be sure to give God the credit for it.
You will never graduate from being tempted. It’s easy to think you’re beyond stumbling, and once that happens, you make yourself an easy target for the Enemy. God wants you to trust Him for victory in every area of your life. Sheep are defenseless animals; they have no fighting skills. When they stray from the fold, they are quickly devoured by the wolf. So, they have learned that their safety and protection lie in staying close to the shepherd. And the same goes for you. Here is a promise you can stand on today: “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations” (2 Peter 2:9 NKJV).
Soul food: John 1:1-14; Matt 4:12-16; Matt 5:14-16; Acts 9:1-19
2024-08-03
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says: “Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 AMPC).
The words “means of escape” do not promise you exemption from temptation. Satan, who is called “the tempter,” never lets up or takes a day off. But God’s goal is to make you strong where you have been weak, so His promise to you is “that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.” Keep going! As you become stronger in the Lord, the temptations you are battling will become progressively weaker until they lose their appeal and you begin to walk in victory.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; Luke 10:38-42; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:1-3
2024-08-02
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
In Scripture, Satan is called “the tempter” and “the accuser.” First, he will tempt you, and when you fail, he will accuse you. He wants you to feel unworthy and disqualified in God’s eyes. But you’re not! “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).
When you fail, you can go to God with confidence, knowing He will not only forgive you but provide the enabling grace to help you overcome temptation next time. We all face temptation; it’s an unavoidable part of life. Even believers who have walked with the Lord for many years deal with it. Their areas of temptation may be different from yours, but Satan doesn’t give any of us a free pass. However, you can overcome temptation.
One of the first steps to conquering it is to start saying the right thing. The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV). Your words give life to what you say. So, start speaking God’s Word. Jesus said, “I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19 NKJV). Claim that promise today; for what God promises, He will give you the strength to perform.
Soul food: Ezra 9-10; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 19:27-29
2024-08-01
Galatians 5:16 NIV
There is just enough ego and independence in us to want to do things our own way. And they keep getting us into trouble. Paul writes: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other” (vv. 16-17 NIV). Note the words “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit.”
What’s the key to victory? First, lean more on God and less on yourself. Second, establish boundaries in your life. That’s why daily Bible reading is so important. It keeps you in God’s safety zone by telling you what you can do and what you had better not do to be safe.
Highways have lines: one on each side and one in the center. These lines provide margins for our safety while we’re driving. If we go over the line on one side, we risk going into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we risk getting hit by oncoming traffic. We appreciate those lines because they keep us safe.
And it’s like that in our personal lives too. When we have clearly marked boundary lines, we feel much better and experience God’s peace. When God says don’t, He is not being difficult to get along with, He is being protective. You have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, you are precious in His eyes, and He wants only the best for you.
Soul food: Ezra 6-8; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 19:24-26
2024-07-31
Proverbs 18:22 NKJV
The best marriages are built by couples who try to remember the qualities that initially attracted them to one another. If you want to build a happy marriage or improve a less-than-happy one, do these:
(1) List your mate’s best qualities. Write down the things you love most about him or her, and endeavor to keep those things in mind at all times. When stresses and strains surface in your relationship, as they inevitably will, go over the list in your mind, and if necessary, refer to the written copy as a reminder.
(2) Focus on them. Think how your mate’s great qualities enrich your life, and how much you would miss them if he or she was not around. When you change your focus, you change your feelings. And when you change your feelings, you change your perspective, your approach, and your reactions.
(3) Verbalize them. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also… praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NKJV). Your children learn how to build a great marriage or a miserable one by watching you. That thought alone should put the brakes on criticism and bring out the compliments!
(4) Nurture them. “A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7 NIV). People wither under complaints, whereas they thrive and grow through praise and encouragement. Seize any moment worth celebrating and magnify it! Paul bottom-lines it: “If you love someone you will be loyal…no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him” (1 Corinthians 13:7 TLB).
Soul food: Ezra 3-5; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 19:21-23
2024-07-30
Luke 16:11 NLT
Did you know that God’s willingness to bless you with more money depends on how well you handle what He has already given you? When it comes to money, here are some Bible principles you must live by:
(1) Pay God His 10 percent first so you won’t feel ashamed of not doing so (See Malachi 3:10).
(2) Pray before you buy. Ask yourself, “Do I need this or just want it?”
(3) Keep mindful of the amount of expenditures versus your income.
(4) Be in agreement with your husband or wife regarding the household budget and your short- and long-term goals. And don’t hide or misconstrue information about your finances.
(5) Commit to excellence at work – without overdoing your hours.
(6) Pay off all your debt (excluding real estate). Hold on to one credit card for identification reasons.
(7) Save monthly (a minimum of 10 percent of your gross pay if you are out of debt).
(8) Don’t cosign a loan for anyone, and don’t lend anyone money you can’t afford to lose.
(9) Pay cash for all your “desires” instead of charging them.
(10) Assign funds in your budget for fun and vacations.
(11) When you get a raise, don’t adapt your lifestyle to consume all of it. Train yourself to live beneath your means.
(12) Set up an emergency cash supply of at least two months’ living expenses (six would be outstanding).
(13) Be satisfied with what you have. “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV).
Soul food: Ezra 1-2; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 46; Prov 19:18-20
