June 1, 2017 - Temptations

Time spent contemplating whether or not we should embark on something we know is not good for us is actually time that allows that temptation to imbed itself deeper into our lives.  Put your thoughts on God.  Praise His Name. Focus on His goodness, mercy and love.  Give thanks for all the gifts you have and are to receive. You will find your strength becomes a natural element within you. When you join with Christ and our Holy Spirit and take on the Essence of God, temptation will turn away.

All the gods of the heavens are idols. It was Yahweh who made the heavens! - Psalm 96:5

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Careless

Scene:  Kitchen set up with a bar sink that opens out into living area. The faucet for the sink has a pullout spray head. A cloth-covered sofa sits on carpet just a few feet from the bar.  Daughter #1 is washing dishes in front of the sink. Daughter #2 is antagonizing daughter #1 from the living room side. The pullout spray head makes a great weapon. Your imagination may fill in the rest. It is a fun and happy memory, now.

 

There are many times in life where we become caught up in a moment and never look beyond the immediate.  The damage done does not lie in just that moment or stay physically confined in a straight path. Our responses may find ourselves deep in a massive cleanup afterward. Even a moment of joy can set off a reaction that could affect others negatively.  As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we begin to take on His nature and put ours aside. Praying unceasingly and keeping His peace within us will train us to react through His eyes in both joy and pain. As we live in His Light, we hold hope that all of our spontaneous moments will become happy memories.

 

But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgment. - Matthew 12:36

Friday, February 8, 2013 - Self Knowledge

My mother used to say, "Be careful what you ask for.  It just may come true." Many times temptation enters into a split second decision. Pressure to act immediately may very well send us down a wrong path. For a person of prayer, these moments are less frightening when they occur. Walking closely with our Lord, makes us receptive to His discernment and our decisions become a whole lot easier. Facing a choice is so much easier with a clean heart and clear conscience.

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." - Psalm 27:8

Friday, January 18, 2013 - Lies

Life is hard. We get stuck in a routine, a habit, or a job, and we lose site of the fact that our motives and perceptions have altered. Our views of success, morality, and integrity, become compromised with the viewpoints of the world and the unaccepted becomes the acceptable. We profess to be Christians, but live with a different perspective. We are caught in a lie. Sometimes our friends discover we are lying well before we realize it ourselves. They've seen us as we are, not as we want to be, and the good friend will point out our shortcomings in a loving way. Daily time with God is essential in learning to pass over the temptations of the world. Friendships based on Christ's love, bring accountability to one another and help us all walk a life of Truth. - Becki

 

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. – 1 John 3:7

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - Encourage

Temptation has many names: struggle, fatigue, disappointment, resentment, anger, pride.  It can even take on names that are associated with good things, like determination and tenacity. Temptation is anything that makes us forget or devalue the love of Our Heavenly Father.  The discouragement of facing temptations can turn into encouragement when we place our hope in Christ. Every moment in life has a bigger picture waiting to be revealed to us in God's time. Be patient and seek God's Grace and your struggles will be fruitful. - Becki

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. - Galations 6:9