What Is The Closest Source of Temptation?

“The devil made me do it,” was a phrase coined by comedian/actor Flip Wilson. It was the way he excused some of the questionable actions of Geraldine, one of his characters.

Some people blame the devil for temptations, while others blame God. But James 1:13 says God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

But temptations are real, so let’s consider them. For example, when people hear about “acts of the flesh,” what comes to mind is sexual immorality, impurity, drunkenness, or orgies.

While that’s true, there are a variety of other temptations. Look at Galatians 5:19-21. Paul listed only two spiritual temptations: idolatry and sorcery.

But he also lists temptations we rarely consider. They come from our soul, the seat of our emotions.

For example, have you ever been tempted to hate someone, sow discord, act out in jealousy, or rage? We can be tempted to envy. And what about causing rivalries or divisions, or joining in factions where groups refuse to make peace?

We need to be alert to temptation because it begins as a tiny seed thought or desire. The problem comes when we entertain it long enough that we decide to act on it. James explains it this way (James 1:14-15):

 We are tempted/enticed by our own evil desires.

When we allow them to turn into actions, it gives birth to sin.

Sin, when fully developed, gives way to death.

Galatians 5:16-26 speaks clearly about not gratifying the desires of the flesh, but choosing to walk in the Spirit to please God.

The closest source of temptation is within you. But you are not hopeless or helpless. Whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional, you can ask God to cleanse your heart.  

David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Become a doer of His Word and not just a hearer (James 1::22).  

Pixabay: Thinking, Thought, Pondering; johnbloor.

  

Ask, Believe, Receive

God hears our prayers, but the answers come in His time. I want to share something good that happened to me this week.

I went to the “residents’ dinner” and sat by a pastor and his wife who rarely come. He shook my hand and asked why I was using a cane. I explained that due to a fall, I’d had hip surgery, but I had an atrophied muscle that could not be reattached.

He asked what that was, and I explained it was a rotator muscle in the hip. He asked, “What does it do?”

I said, “When I try to pull my leg toward the center of my body, I feel a pull all the way up to my hip.” He made the move with his right leg, and I said, “You’ll have to turn your foot toward the center to feel the pull.” He did.

The next thing I knew, he was holding my right hand and, with bowed head, was quietly praying for God to heal the problem with my right leg. 

I said, “Thank you,” and we talked with the others at the table while waiting for dinner to start.

After prayer, I started to get up. I noticed his intense interest in my feet. Suddenly, he said, “You turned your foot!” I stopped to think about it and realized I had not felt a pull. I said, “You’re right. God touched me. I’ll be sure to give Him the glory.”

Later that evening, I noticed I had no pain in my hip, and my leg seemed easier to move toward the center. The next morning, it was the same. I had more freedom to move with no leg or hip pain. A definite difference!

The morning’s devotional was based on James 1:6, a reminder that we are to ask God for things in faith, without doubting. It seemed the pastor had done just that with his intense observation and declaration of faith the night before.

I had asked God to heal my hip several times. It hadn’t happened, but I believed it would, in His time. 

It did happen, and I can’t say, “Thank you, God,” enough! It's nice to no longer have to depend on a cane.

Pixabay: Calendar, Months, Wood Image; Alexas_Fotos.

Vines and Branches

Have you ever had the pleasure of walking through a vineyard? I have, and it’s a happy memory.

I once lived in a house surrounded by acres of green grapes. My father-in-law knew one of the owners, and it was our pleasure to glean after the harvesters were done.

In my memory, I still see the strength of the vine along the top, full of branches hanging down. And on the branches hung clusters of beautiful grapes.

It wasn’t hard to understand Jesus’ teaching that He is the vine, we are the branches, and that if we remain in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit (John 15:5).

There is beauty in a cluster of grapes. Each grape hangs individually while being part of a bunch. That’s the beauty I see in the spiritual life of a church family.

My husband and I were once on staff serving a large congregation. I always called it “a world-class” church, because we had a wide variety of ethnic groups, cultures, and economic levels. What a joy to worship and serve the Lord together.

After serving there for many years, I could still say, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in harmony (or unity). (Psalm 133:1).

One thing we need to remember about the vine and branches is their production of a unified fruit. Spiritually speaking, let’s call it “love.”

Love produces unity. The reasons are many, but let’s consider Ephesians 4:1-16:

• First, we are reminded to be humble, gentle, and patient, while bearing with one another in love (v. 2).
• Next, we must endeavor to keep the bond of unity in peace (v. 3).
• We are also to build ourselves up in love as each of us does our part to serve in the body of Christ (v. 16).

So, hang in there! Enjoy clinging to “The Vine” while being one of the “branches” and bearing much “fruit.”

It brings much joy to Jesus, Owner and Overseer of His spiritual vineyard.

Pixabay: Vineyard, Wine, Vine Image; Kranich17.  

Love is More Than a Feeling

In marriage ceremonies, my minister husband always included these words: Love is more than a feeling. It was followed by a few simple reminders that love also included actions of caring and kindness. I’ve never forgotten how he put those words into action.

As a newlywed, I was heating spaghetti sauce in a Pyrex container with the required little wire underneath. Suddenly, the container exploded and spaghetti sauce was everywhere! I was not only shocked, but horrified. What a mess!

My husband came to check on the explosion. When he saw the mess, he said, “You go ahead and sit down. I’ll clean this up.”  What a guy! Right then, I knew his love was more than words or just a feeling.

Let’s focus on the practicality of love. Feelings of love are wonderful, uplifting, and exciting. We need them; however, love’s feelings need to be grounded in action.

It’s like a hot air balloon ride. You can enjoy the feeling of floating above the earth, enjoying the beauty of the day. But at some point, the balloon must land. Then you’re back to where actions are needed as well as feelings.

First Corinthians, Chapter Thirteen (1 Cor. 13:4-8) provides guidelines for love in action. If you haven’t read it lately, I urge you to do so.

Have you ever prayed, “Lord, help me to love by helping others in practical ways?” Here are some examples of this kind of love:

•   God loved the world and sent His Son, the perfect sacrifice for sin (John 3:16)
•   Jesus loved us and gave up His life for our salvation (John 10:17-18)
•   Joseph loved his brothers with forgiveness (Genesis 50:18-21)
•   Dorcas loved others by making clothing (Acts 9:36-42)
•   Paul loved by suffering hardships and persecution to share the gospel (2 Cor. 11:24-28)
•    Four men loved by lowering a friend on his stretcher to ask Jesus for help (Matt. 9:1-8)

You can probably think of your own Biblical examples.

This week, remember:

Love is more than a feeling!

What will you do to show love in practical ways?

Pixabay: Amour; OpenClipart-Vectors.

How's Your Hearing?

 

Have you ever heard this conversation?

 “Hey, did you hear me?”

“What? Oh. Sorry. I wasn’t listening.”

Or, how about a radio ad? “We’re presenting (whatever kind of music) for your listening pleasure.” In other words, relax, keep us in the background. You don’t have to concentrate on us. 

I had a good relationship with my mother-in-law. She was easy to talk with, and I remember she would say, “Now, listen!” whenever she wanted to say something she felt was extremely meaningful---usually a good piece of needed advice.

Hearing and listening have been considered inter-twining acts throughout the ages. Listening is lightweight; hearing implies a deeper level of understanding.

My *Bible dictionary had a very brief, but interesting, article under EAR. Here are three examples from those mentioned:

         1. To incline the ear was to hear (2 Kings 19:16)

         2. To give ear was to pay careful attention (Job 32:11,12)

         3.  Covering the ears was a refusal to listen (Acts 7:51, 57)

As I studied my Bible lesson today, Jesus had some important, but hard, teachings. He knew not everyone would incline their ear. His opening line was “to those of you who will listen, I say . . .” (Luke 6:27-36).

Then came simple teachings that even a child could understand. But simple does not mean easy, and to this day, only those willing to truly hear, obey them.

What do YOU think of Jesus' teachings? (1) Love your enemies, (2) Do good to those who hate you, (3) Bless those who curse you, and (4) Pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27,28).

He also said: (5) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and (6) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (v. 31, 36).

How’s your hearing? I’ve been asking myself that question today.

Do I truly incline my ear to hear ALL of Jesus’ teachings? Or, do I casually listen, then pick and choose what I want to hear and obey? It matters!

In the Parable of the Sower, the seeds on good soil are those who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop (Luke 8:15).

*EAR, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 448; Copyright 2003 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN. All Rights Reserved.

Pixabay: Sound, Listening, Man; OpenClipart-Vectors.

Do It Yourself

In earlier days, it was popular to be considered a “Renaissance Man.” That meant you were proficient in several areas of life. Leonardo da Vinci was considered the greatest of his time, a mathematician, artist, and inventor.

In our day, we admire self-sufficient, productive people. To admit a need for help seems like a failure. Some would even say that makes us “less than” those who seem to have their lives in order independently.

From the beginning, we were created to be involved with others. God, Himself, came to talk with Adam in the Garden of Eden, and He created Eve so Adam would have companionship.

On the other hand, as we mature, we learn to become more independent, make choices, and take care of ourselves.

David understood self-care. In Psalm 42:5, 11 and Psalm 43:5, he asked himself a couple of probing questions: (1) Why are you downcast, O my soul, and (2) Why the unease within me?

When life seems extremely challenging, how do you respond? Do you try to keep busy and avoid thinking about it? Do you drink alcohol, overindulge in food, go shopping, or self-medicate in some way?

David’s response to himself was this: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:11, 43:5).  

Do you try to truly absorb God’s word and put it into practice? How many Christian songs could you sing if separated from your electronic devices?

Paul and Silas understood the importance of *DIY encouragement. They were beaten and jailed after rebuking a spirit of divination in a young girl who kept following them, shouting a good thing, but for the wrong reason (Acts 16:16-24).

In the darkness of midnight, Paul and Silas encouraged themselves in the Lord by praying and singing spiritual songs (Acts 16:25).

The other prisoners weren’t the only ones listening. God was, too, and He responded with a mighty earthquake that set them free and resulted in the salvation of the jailer and his family (Acts 16:26-34).

Faith offers hope. Scripture says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

Have you learned to “do it yourself?”

 Pixabay: Steam, Vintage, Engine; Artsy Bee.

 *DIY: Do It Yourself 

A Healthy Choice

Today I was inspired by Proverbs 17:22. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.  

Three references explained a broken spirit. One indicated it could be sorrow, another anxiety, and the third mentioned bitterness (Proverbs 12:25, 15:13, and 14:10).

I thought back to 2007 when I was in Phoenix for treatments of Stage 3 Breast Cancer. We had purchased a small co-op the year before, thinking it would be a nice vacation place two hours from our place of ministry.

There, on my own, I pursued a daily Bible Study. *Intervarsity Press had some nice **inductive, topical study booklets with about eight lessons each.

I learned to appreciate the Psalms. David poured out his heart to God, and so did I. To this day, I thank God for the nearness of His Presence during nine months of chemo, surgery, and radiation.

But one day, the “merry heart” verse from my childhood came to mind. I was already practicing being thankful. At bedtime each night, I would count off ten things I was thankful for from THAT day, no matter how small.

I was at peace, but to me, a merry heart meant laughter. I thought back to some old sitcoms I had enjoyed, and purchased a season of Mary Tyler Moore. Then someone gave me some “Mayberry” episodes. It felt good to laugh out loud.

I refused to be downhearted, homesick, or depressed. I looked to the Psalms for help and focused on Psalm 34:4-5: I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

Make a healthy choice. Choose to let go of despair. Seek to be cheerful. Improve your outlook. Perk yourself up and improve your mood.

Seek God in His word and through prayer. Do your part, and He’ll do His.

Pixabay: Emoji, Face, Smile; Mohamed_hassan.

*Check online for Intervarsity Press study booklets. I purchased mine from ChristianBooks.com.

**Inductive Bible studies are not complicated. They ask a question, you read the recommended scripture, draw a conclusion, and write your answer in the space provided.