When Satan Tempts You
We come across many temptations in life and when we have heard from God or have read what God's standard is, we are to follow that. But then there are those times that we really aren't sure and we let someone come in and twist what we believe or what God has told us and they mislead us intentionally or unintentionally. Either of those ways is dangerous as you are responsible for your own decisions and the reasons behind why you made those decisions.
In Genesis 3, we have Adam and Eve in the garden with Eve being mislead by the serpent. Eve tells Adam that is it okay to eat from the tree that God instructed them to avoid. Eve disobeys from the serpents words and twisting of what God said and meant. Then Eve leads Adam to do the opposite of what God said buy following the serpent's words. That gets them both in trouble with God. What would have saved them? If Eve would stayed away from the tree. They could have been saved. If Eve could have ignored the serpent they could have been saved. If Adam could have redirected Eve, they could have been saved. Yet, we see they disobey God and force God's hand of punishment (Genesis 3:16-19). Makes you wonder what life would be like if we just obeyed God instead of allowing ourselves to be lied to and mislead.
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God Has Plans
In Genesis 1 we saw how God created the earth and how we have to realize that we are not accidents and that we have a purpose here on this earth. God finished making the earth and then rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:1-3). First off, which day is your day of rest? If you are not fully rested how can you be re-energized to not only do the job(s) that lay before you, but also do the work God has before you? People will make excuses and say "Just gimme coffee and I can get it done" but is that what God wants from you? I know American culture is "go go go" and "achieve more and make more money", but God established a predominant culture many, many moons ago that also involved rest. Let's be honest, even cars, cell phones, lap tops, light bulbs are not meant to run at all times...and neither are we.
God created man and placed hm specifically, not just anywhere, but in a place for him to do the job God bestowed upon him (Genesis 2:15). God also saw that the man did not need to be alone. Many take this section of scripture to mean God's view of marriage in terms of we should all be married, but in context, Adam was the first person on the planet and therefore was completely alone. Today, if you are not married, do not force yourself to be married due to the belief of this verse because celibacy/singleness is also a gift (Matthew 19:9-12) and God does not contradict Himself.
God know what He wants from you, now you must be receptive to what it is He wants and then you must be obedient to do what it is He has called you to do.
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No Clock Needed
As I write this on December 31, 2015, I know that it will not be read until January 1, 2016. By that time, many will come to make a list of New Year's Resolutions. This list is compiled of things/items to be checked off as completed as the year progresses. I used to make these lists and put a ton of things I wanted to change in my lifestyle and then it hit me, what am I waiting for? There is no clock needed for change. No calendar is needed in order for me to change the way I think, act or behave. Change can happen in an instant if you want to. When you first started following Christ, was that a New Year's Resolution? If the change is that necessary, then why wait?
If you want to make changes in your life that keep you from doing things the wrong way with relationships (I bring these up often obviously) or money management or especially if there are sinful ways you want out of your life, look at this verse in Ephesians 5:15-16: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." We must stop wasting time in our lives so that we can be more free to do what it is God wants from us. In order to live abundantly as God wants us to do (John 10:10), we cannot be covered in sin and old ways of living if God is to bless us and allow for the abundance to come. We cannot have better relationships if we keep doing things the same way. We cannot have healthier lives if we keep eating the same crap. We cannot be in God's will if we are covered in sin. Anytime is a good time for a change.
I also want to share with you Romans 12:2 which tells us not to be conformed by the world's ways but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And we cannot forget that if we really are looking to have something change in our lives, we need God's help. We can read a bunch of self help books or listen to pastors (no names needed) who say we are all just great people and we can do everything on our own power, but the truth is, we need the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our steps. Without the Holy Spirit, I am lost in life and stuck trying to do things the way I want to not knowing that there is a different way to do them.
My inspiration today comes from a message (9 min video) from Bishop TD Jakes "Free Your Mind"
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Peace, Endurance and Adam
Romans 5:1 shows us that in Jesus there is peace. It does not bring strife and problems, but peace. Think of the problems that you have had in life. How many have been because being Christ centered was not the focus, either from you or other person/people? I know I have had plenty of situations occur and more to come that need the focus of what is Christ like. I cannot control others and their words and actions, but I do have self control through the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit is part of that peace that exists in Christ and when we are Christ centered. The peace with God comes through our acceptance of Jesus.
In Romans 5:3-5, things get kind of tricky from an outsider perspective. To read or hear the words "rejoice in our sufferings" sounds like be glad when things go horribly wrong. But there is more to it. The secular way to look at it is the "every cloud has a silver lining" saying, but from the God perspective we know that what we experience is an opportunity for us to grow in Him if we seek His will for our lives. I wish I could tell you the plethora of times that things went horribly wrong in my finances, work life, relationships, etc and how when I changed the focused to "what does God want from me in this", it gave me clarity which through actions because of my faith in Christ led me to a better situation. Through that suffering I developed endurance for problems. That endurance keeps me from falling apart when things start to go bad. In other words I am not giving up when problems arise. That endurance has produced character which is how I present myself when I am with others. One might say, "he isn't a quitter" and that is due to the problems I have had to endure and did not give up on when I encountered them. And through that character I have developed by dealing with issues from a God's will perspective hope is produced. That way I know when issues happen I am hopeful that doing God's will and not my own will produce fruit.
Adam is the father of all mankind. But, from Adam, Eve was created and Adam followed Eve's lead to bite from the apple that the serpent tempted her to eat. Therefore, in Romans 5:12-13 Paul shows us that through Adam sin was brought into the world, but through Christ, for those who follow him, that sin is not counted against you. Before Jesus then you would basically have to be perfect and never break commands or laws or anything so that God copuld be pleased, but even that isn't done out of love but obedience and obedience does not equate to love but love brings forth obedience.When we stop "religifying" our faith we see the freedom in Christ, not the perceived shackles from the secular perspective.
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