Everyone Is Tempted

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Do not err, my beloved brethren.

                                                                                  (James 1:12-16 KJV)

We all fall prey to temptations from time to times. Call upon the Lord to give you the strength to resist temptations that will in the end harm you or others.

During the season of Lent many people at least attempt to fast. Most of this fasting is pretty minor. We  give up a favorite drink or food and we think that we have done well if we have been able to resist the temptation to partake of whatever it is that we're fasting from. In fact, maybe we have done well because we are so used to caving into every desire that even a little rejecting of a temptation may be a major feat.

We are all tempted to sin every single day of our lives. Every single day of our lives we do yield to some sort of temptation whether it is what we call a white lie or maybe a slanderous word against a neighbor. We sin when we do not trust the Lord to help us resist temptation.

Without trusting the Lord it is really tough to resist temptation. We need his strength to battle the temptations of our own desires. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians to do battle with all attacks against us (temptations are truly attacks against our own welfare) we must be strong in the Lord. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

                                                                                     (Eph 6:10-18)

Put on the armor of God and stand firm against all attacks of temptation by the power of God's might through the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rejecting the Truth and the Truth-bearers

   We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;  in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

    We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

                                                                                                                  2 Corinthians 6:3-13 NIV

St. Paul's ministry is not only questioned by people outside the church; after all that he has done for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the people of Corinth. He and his authority are questioned by the people of the church, as well. This also seems to be a common problem within the church today. If we don't like what is said or done; we would like to be freed from our leaders. Get rid of them! If our pastors speak too much truth, members will work hard to get rid of them. If they do or say anything to offend anyone's ego or other personal gods, then they are gossiped about. Some congregations spend more time attempting to rid themselves of their shepherds than they do listening to and sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.

Sometimes, it is necessary to remove a pastor as in cases of wolves in sheep's clothing. However, most of the time it is merely a personality conflict or a control issue. I have a friend who when talking with me will, at times, refer to "the boss." By "the boss," he is not referring to me. He is referring to our heavenly Father, the one to whom we are accountable. He is "the boss." We will all ultimately answer to God for what those things that we have said and done; those things that we have left unsaid and undone. So when you object to your pastor's objection to bowing to false gods remember that your pastor answers to a higher authority than you. In fact, you will answer to a higher authority, as well.

Through Jesus Christ, God our Father granted us the freedom to proclaim the Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The world may not recognize this freedom; but, God our Father does and that's the only thing that matters. We may suffer and die in this world because we make use of this freedom in Christ to proclaim the truth. But, it is better to suffer and die so that the Good News of the Kingdom of God may be advanced in a world that rejects Him than to deny this freedom purchased for us by the blood of Christ.

Thanks be to God for Jesus the Christ, the one we proclaim has granted us freedom to serve our heavenly Father by the giving of his life for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J