Another great devotion that I had to share. Taken from Above all Else - Directions for life - Pg. 78-81. Enjoy and keep pressing into Jesus!
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Proverbs 4:25 NLT
It's inevitable: today you will be tempted by somebody or something - in fact, you will probably be tempted on countless occasions. Why? Because you live in a world that's filled to the brim with temptations and addictions that are intended to lead you far away from God.
Here in the 21st century, temptations are now completely and thoroughly woven into the fabric of everyday life. Seductive images are everywhere; subtle messages tell you that it's okay to sin "just a little"; and to make matters even worse, society doesn't just seem to endorse godlessness, it actually seems to reward it. Society spews forth a wide range of messages, all of which imply that it's OK to rebel against God. These messages, of course, are extremely dangerous and completely untrue.
How can you guard your heart against society's tidal wave of temptations? Be learning to direct your thoughts and your eyes in ways that are pleasing to God...and by relying upon Him to deliver you from the evils that threaten you. And here's the good news: the Creator has promised (not implied, not suggested, not insinuated - He has promised!) that with His help, you can resist every single temptation that confronts you.
When it comes to fighting Satan, you are never alone. God is always with you, and if you do your part He will do His part. But what, precisely, is your part? A good starting point is simply learning how to recognize the subtle temptations that surround you. The images of immorality are ubiquitous, and they're intended to hijack your mind, your heart, your pocketbook, your life, and your soul. Don't let them do it.
Satan is both industrious and creative; he's working 24/7, and he's causing pain, heartache, trauma, and tragedy in more ways than ever before. You, as a Christian man of God, must remain watchful and strong - starting today and ending never.
A tip for guarding your heart
You live in a society where temptations are everywhere. Your task is to avoid places where you might be tempted to disobey God.
God's Words of Wisdom
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. 2 Peter 2:9
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15
Summing it up
Because you live in a temptation-filled world, you must guard your eyes, your thoughts, and your heart - ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Leading your family in the important things!
I have a huge heart for leading my family. I want to lead in a way that will help us be successful and to fulfill our purpose that the Lord has giving each of us. I believe leading starts with the husband/father. It starts by taking spiritual and eternal things very seriously!
I think John Piper nails it on the head in his book Desiring God Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Piper states on page 218 "You should feel the greater responsibility to take the lead in the things of the Spirit; you should lead the family in a life of prayer, in the study of God's Word, and in worship; you should lead in giving the family a vision of its meaning and mission; you should take the lead in shaping the moral fabric of the home and in governing its happy peace. I have never met a woman who chafes under such Christlike leadership. But I know of too many wives who are unhappy because their husbands have abdicated their God-ordained leadership and have no moral vision, no spiritual conception of what a family is for, and therefore no desire to lead anyone anywhere.
A famous cigarette billboard pictures a curly-headed, bronzed-faced, muscular macho with a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth. The sign says, "Where a man belongs." That is a lie. Where a man belongs is at the bedside of his children, leading in devotion and prayer. Where a man belongs is leading his family to the house of God. Where a man belongs is up early and alone with God seeking vision and direction for his family." Amen!
God has given me a heart to lead & serve my wife and children. For me it did not come easy, but over time and by the reading of God's Word and some good male Christians in my life I have been seeing some good fruits from it. I think what has helped me most is the praying for my family on a daily basis. I still struggle with putting my needs last at times, but God is faithful to continue to work on me in that area. Every new day I see lots of opportunity to succeed!
At the start of 2009 my wife and I made some spiritual goals. In June we plan to see how we have made progress in our Christian walk. My #1 goal in leading my family is to lead in a way that when the day comes for us to meet Jesus Christ face to face we are ready! I don't want there to be any doubt on my responsibility in leading my family to the house of God. I understand that one day I will be judged on the way I did things in my household and so will every husband/father!
As leader of my household I also make it a point to put God's Kingdom first! Before any bills, mortgage, or food is purchased we give God our first fruits of our income through tithes and offerings. This is one way to give thanks to God for provided the things we need to survive. Matthew 6:25-34 says it best!
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
And last I make every effort to take the family to church every Sunday. Excluding sickness, we make no plans that would interfere with church. My family needs that weekly spiritual growth that comes from the gathering of the body of Christ and worshipping God together. The devil is happy to see people make themselves busy on the Lord's day. We can not allow the busyness of life to keep us from growing in the Lord. Our families need church every week! Satan knows if he can keep us lazy and distract us from leading your family in the spiritual things then he has us where he wants us, on a bus ride to hell.
So if your just starting, or need some encouragement in leading your family don't give up! Make an effort to get with God alone everyday, reading His Word, praying for your family and yourself to lead with a heart of compassion and love. Memorize Scripture by putting them on 3x5 cards and caring them with you and reading them throughout the day. Find some other men to be accountable and encouragement too. Give God the first fruits of your income through tithes and offering.
Joshua 24:15 - But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
2 Chronicles 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
I think John Piper nails it on the head in his book Desiring God Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Piper states on page 218 "You should feel the greater responsibility to take the lead in the things of the Spirit; you should lead the family in a life of prayer, in the study of God's Word, and in worship; you should lead in giving the family a vision of its meaning and mission; you should take the lead in shaping the moral fabric of the home and in governing its happy peace. I have never met a woman who chafes under such Christlike leadership. But I know of too many wives who are unhappy because their husbands have abdicated their God-ordained leadership and have no moral vision, no spiritual conception of what a family is for, and therefore no desire to lead anyone anywhere.
A famous cigarette billboard pictures a curly-headed, bronzed-faced, muscular macho with a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth. The sign says, "Where a man belongs." That is a lie. Where a man belongs is at the bedside of his children, leading in devotion and prayer. Where a man belongs is leading his family to the house of God. Where a man belongs is up early and alone with God seeking vision and direction for his family." Amen!
God has given me a heart to lead & serve my wife and children. For me it did not come easy, but over time and by the reading of God's Word and some good male Christians in my life I have been seeing some good fruits from it. I think what has helped me most is the praying for my family on a daily basis. I still struggle with putting my needs last at times, but God is faithful to continue to work on me in that area. Every new day I see lots of opportunity to succeed!
At the start of 2009 my wife and I made some spiritual goals. In June we plan to see how we have made progress in our Christian walk. My #1 goal in leading my family is to lead in a way that when the day comes for us to meet Jesus Christ face to face we are ready! I don't want there to be any doubt on my responsibility in leading my family to the house of God. I understand that one day I will be judged on the way I did things in my household and so will every husband/father!
As leader of my household I also make it a point to put God's Kingdom first! Before any bills, mortgage, or food is purchased we give God our first fruits of our income through tithes and offerings. This is one way to give thanks to God for provided the things we need to survive. Matthew 6:25-34 says it best!
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
And last I make every effort to take the family to church every Sunday. Excluding sickness, we make no plans that would interfere with church. My family needs that weekly spiritual growth that comes from the gathering of the body of Christ and worshipping God together. The devil is happy to see people make themselves busy on the Lord's day. We can not allow the busyness of life to keep us from growing in the Lord. Our families need church every week! Satan knows if he can keep us lazy and distract us from leading your family in the spiritual things then he has us where he wants us, on a bus ride to hell.
So if your just starting, or need some encouragement in leading your family don't give up! Make an effort to get with God alone everyday, reading His Word, praying for your family and yourself to lead with a heart of compassion and love. Memorize Scripture by putting them on 3x5 cards and caring them with you and reading them throughout the day. Find some other men to be accountable and encouragement too. Give God the first fruits of your income through tithes and offering.
Joshua 24:15 - But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
2 Chronicles 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
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