Winning The Battle of Temptation

"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)

Temptation: the act of tempting; enticement or allurement, something that tempts, entices, or allures

As a pastor I'm amazed at how amazed people are when they hear that I battle temptation. It's as if they think being a pastor somehow gives you superpowers that help you live an overcoming life, just because you're a pastor. This is foolishness though. Nothing could be further from the truth. I battle temptation every day.

We shouldn't be surprised when we find out that those we look up to spiritually regularly battle temptation. After all, Paul wrote the very words of 1 Corinthians 10:13. This is because he also endured the daily battle of temptation.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man."

In other words, welcome to the battle every man has faced throughout the history. You're no different. And this shouldn't surprise us because Jesus Himself was tempted (Matthew 4).

But here is the kicker. God wants us to WIN in the battle of temptation.

Cheezy line forthcoming...wait for it...

You are a winner! :)

In all seriousness you and I can win the battle of temptation through the Truth of God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Two perfect examples...

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11)

"And He, when He comes (the Holy Spirit), will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." (John 16:8)

In other words, He has given us the weapons to overcome in the battle. Imagine a soldier being deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan without the proper weaponry or armor. They would be doomed. Thankfully they aren't called to fight without weapons. They are equipped and prepared for the battle.

So are you! Jesus Christ has given you everything you need to win in the battle of temptation.

Fight on!

The Supremacy of Christ

I'm working my way through Dr. David Jeremiah's book "I Never Thought I'd See The Day". It's a look into our culture today which is at a crossroads as it pertains to several key issues like marriage, morality & atheism. I would highly recommend the book.

I just wrapped up chapter three that has to do with the name of Jesus being profaned in our culture. I have to admit, it was very eye opening. In the chapter he deals with how our culture today is redefining who Jesus was and conversely creating an image of him that is more like us (man) than the Son of God.

He goes through great lengths to stress that this it isn't just a message being accepted by unbelievers given to them by Hollywood or liberal professors and authors. Instead it's a subtle accepted notion in the culture at large as we move away from the clear characteristics of Christ given to us in the Word.

His antidote? The Word of God itself. He gives seven statements to help readers reclaim the real Jesus from Scripture.

1. Jesus is the Final Word from God. (Hebrews 1:1-2, John 1:1)
2. Jesus is the First Cause of Creation. (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-16)
3. Jesus is the Fullness of the Godhead. (Hebrews 1:3, John 1:18, John 14:9)
4. Jesus is the Facilitator of All Things. (Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:17)
5. Jesus is the Forgiveness of our Sins. (Hebrews 1:3, 2:9, Luke 19:10)
6. Jesus is the Finisher of our Faith. (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2)
7. Jesus is our Faithful High Priest. (Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:15)

Reading this chapter caused me to reflect on my own view of Jesus. I found myself filled with gratitude for the Truth of Scripture which clearly shows us that Christ is all sufficient in his redemptive work on our behalf. He is enough!

This would make a great sermon series or personal study on rediscovering who Jesus is.

Morning Reflections

Our house is quiet for a short period of time. Usually from 11 pm to about 6:30 am a guy can hear himself think. All other hours it's pure pandemonium, especially in the winter months. I'm usually the first one up in the morning, well accept for the dog. Usually when I wake up I lay there quietly so that no one hears me and figures out I'm awake. It's kind of like a bizarre game of hide and go seek. I know if they hear I'm up the nerf gun wars will soon commence.

I believe it's important to start the day off right. And no I'm not just talking about freshly roasted & brewed Brazilian coffee. I think our first thoughts are important.

Interestingly enough this morning I laid in bed for a little while and picked up AW Tozer's book, The Knowledge of the Holy. Two phrases jumped off the page at me in chapter 1.

He says this...

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

In the book Tozer goes on to expound on this statement, but the statement alone is a worthwhile mediation.

Next he says this...

"Low views of God destroy the gospel for all who hold them."

In other words how we use our thoughts is very important. We have to be good stewards of our thought life, specifically as it relates to God. These thoughts really hit me this morning and I realize that to often I take my thoughts to lightly.

Paul exhorted the Corinthians to this practice as well. He said "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ".

At the start of a new day, this is my prayer. Lord, take my thoughts, let them be pleasing to You and help them bring me deeper in the "knowledge of the holy". Amen.

Facebook Preaching

Recently I took a Facebook fast and I have to say, it is so good for the soul! I have always had a love/hate relationship with Facebook. In some ways, Facebook has revolutionized the first part of this century and we will forever be changed. In other ways I believe it has served us poorly by keeping us glued longer to our screens and allowing us the opportunity to "meddle" in other people's business in the same way that nosy lady in the movies does as she peaks out her blinds to get a little closer to the action.

I guess for me one of the biggest struggles I've had with Facebook is the temptation to "preach" to the world from the mini "soap boxes" our Facebook profiles afford us. Now I love preaching! It's a part of my life! But what I've been really wrestling with is the effectiveness of "Preaching on Facebook", at least from a Christian's standpoint.

This got me to thinking about something that Jesus said in Matthew 7. It's a somewhat familiar verse but it is kind of confusing as well. It says this...

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pears before swine, lest they trample them under feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."

Now before you jump to the conclusion that I'm going to tell you all your Facebook friends are dogs and/or swines consider this. Ultimately we don't know where all of our friends are at in their spirituality and their openness to the Truth. Also, if these are the words of Jesus for us, who are believers, then they deserve a deeper investigation.

What I found was kind of startling. Most of the commentators on this subject agree. You shouldn't just throw out the holy truth and deep revelations of God to just anyone.

Listen to what Charles Spurgeon said...

Zeal should always be tempered by prudence. There are times when it would be treason to truth to introduce it as a topic of conversation,-when men are in such a frame of mind that they will be sure rather to cavil at it than to believe it. Not only speak thou well, but speak thou at the right time, for silence is sometimes golden. See that thou hast thy measure of golden silence as well as of silver speech.

In other words if a person's heart is not open to receive the Truth yet it may actually be detrimental to their souls to introduce it at the wrong time.

Now I know what your thinking. But my "Friends" need the "Truth". They most certainly do. But is the platform of Facebook really the best place to introduce it to them? I'm not so sure. Of course there are many people who can very much receive a "word in season" on Facebook. But not all of them.

Remembers Solomon's words in Proverbs 9:8...

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

The reality is that there is great encouragement that we can give via Facebook or other media platforms. However, we should share what we share cautiously, mindful of the breadth of our audience.

And, if your like me, take a Facebook fast once in a while and instead connect with friends the old fashion way, over a cup of coffee. Chances are you will be surprised how much it will mean to them and how open they will be to your reflections on life and Truth.

As the old saying goes, people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Blessings!

Minister's Retreat

Jodi and I have been having a great time in Alexandria at the Minnesota AG's annual Minister's Retreat! We are staying at the Arrowwood Resort on Lake Darling. We always enjoy this time of year as we connect with pastors all over the state who are walking the same path as us in ministry! There is something so encouraging about being with like-minded people.

Our speaker this year was Scott Wilson from The Oaks Fellowship in Dallas, TX. Lot's of great, practical advice on "going to the next level" in leadership.

Couple key things I wrote down from this year's event.

"Testing always precedes promotion."
"Who are you loving into the Kingdom?"
"How could your church partner with your community for change?"

All in all great stuff! Thankful for a great church that allows us this important opportunity.

Can't wait to see how God will work in our lives in 2012!

Facebook Fast

I deactivated my Facebook account today, yes, again! I've decided that for me, Facebook Fasts are good for the soul. Sometimes it just takes to much of my time and I need to step back from the distractions it can create.

Anyways, since then I discovered this blog by a pastor about his own decision to cut ties with the "beast" that is Facebook. His insights were pretty interesting and a worthwhile read.

I thought you might enjoy it too!

http://pastorjonathanmartin.com/uncategorized/i-got-off-facebook-in-order-to-save-you/

Walking In The Light

"If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the Christmas lights. Our family strings lights up on our Christmas trees, our fireplace and outside around our front deck. We even put up lights in our boy's rooms for them to enjoy as they go to sleep at night.

From a biblical standpoint lights can be a powerful prophetic reminder to us that Jesus is the Light of the world. We live in a spiritually dark world where most of mankind prefers to dwell so that their deeds will not exposed by the light of Jesus.

John 3:19 puts it this way...

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."

It's easy to read this Scripture and somehow believe it applies to everyone but us! However, as I have meditated on 1 John I realize that there are dark places in all of our hearts, especially mine! Jesus wants to shine His light on those dark places so that he can replace our evil with His righteousness.

This advent season as we look at the Christmas lights all around us let it be a reminder that Christ is the light of the world. His desire is that we would invite Him into our hearts where He will shine His light and expel the darkness that's there!

Knowing God's Will

God made you and He has a perfect plan for your life. Those are words we hear a lot but many times we grow frustrated trying to really understand why we are here and what we were created for. If you're like me you have probably asked this question many times...how do I know God's will for my life?

The Apostle Paul talked about how we can know God's will for our life in Romans 12:1-2. Listen to how the New Living Translation puts it:

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 NLT)

From this text I believe we can safely assume there is a three step progression to knowing God's will.

1. Give yourself to God.

Look at verse 1 again. Notice the phrase give your bodies to God! Many Christians struggle to know God's will for their lives because they are not fully surrendered to the Lord. Jesus doesn't want to just be your Savior, Healer & friend. He is your Lord. Someone once said that Jesus is either Lord of all or not at all. Very true. Ask yourself these questions...Is Jesus Lord of your life? Every area? Every thought? Every decision? This is huge! I remember When I came back to the Lord in 1996 I was passionate about seeking & surrendering everything to the Lord. I can honestly say it was an obsession. In a good way.

The Apostle Paul said 1 Corinthians 16:19-20...

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

If God isn't Lord of your bodies than you're going to have a tough time knowing His will for your life!

2. Don't copy the world.

Look at verse 2 again. Notice the phrase don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world. When we come to Christ we don't become a better person, we become a brand new person! When we put our faith in Christ for salvation the Bible says the Holy Spirit comes and fills our being so that we become like Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 puts it this way...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The world system is failing, miserably. The world system is fading away.

Last night we watched a story on pregnancies outside of marriage in NY City. It's a huge problem. Abortion is rampant. For more than ten years the education system has increasingly introduce MORE SEX ED in the schools. They decided they needed to hand out condemns. The fruit of those efforts has been nothing short of utter failure. Now there are people pushing for MORE SEX ED to younger ages. And you know what? It's not gonna work!

1 John 2:15-17 puts it this way...

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

3. Allow God to renew your mind.

Look at Romans 12:2 again...notice the phrase let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

This word, transformed, is the Greek word, metamorphoo. From it, we get the English word, metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a change from one type of thing into another type of thing. We apply this word to caterpillars turning into butterflies.

The reality is that all of us are in the process of metamorphosis. We are all changing. Our bodies are changing, our minds are changing, our spirit is changing. The important question is what are we changing into?

Paul said we need to allow God to renew our mind by changing the way we think! How do we do this? By spending time with Him in prayer, meditation and the study of Scripture. We need to come to God each and every day and ask Him to help us change the way we think. We need to think like HIM!

The reality is that you can know the will of God for your life! Heed the words of Paul in Romans 12:1-2 and allow God to transform you into a new person! Then you will know His good and perfect will!