Tag Archives: James

Preparing for the onset of temptation

Posted on January 2, 2014 by | Comments Off on Preparing for the onset of temptation

reading-bible_2316_1024x805Anyone that knows me will tell you that, besides the disabilities I have as a result of my military service, I rarely get sick. This time of the year—during the middle of winter—is one of the two times a year I  either will catch a sinus infection or the flu. As Michelle can tell you, I do not make a good patient; I am grouchy, whiny, want to be left alone, and crave only coffee.  If you are like me, I can usually tell when I am about to come down with some sort of bug.  As soon as I feel the tickle in my sinus cavities, I begin drinking gallons of orange juice, taking both daytime and nighttime cold medications, and hosing down the house in disinfectant in anticipation of the cold.

I began thinking that if I do all of these things—the taking of cold medications, drinking juice, and everything else on just the idea of getting the cold, why don’t we take the same precautions when it comes to dealing with sin in our lives? Sure, there are no pills, no special spray, or ointment that alleviates our fleshly nature from wanting to sin.  Even the apostle Paul had to deal with the realities of the flesh drawn to the lusts and desires of the world; it is for this very reason Paul wrote For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me (Romans 7:14-20). Make no mistake about what Paul is warning every Christian about—there is a real battle going on within the hearts of every born-again believer. As long as you live within this body of clay, you’ll fight the fight. You’ll feel the pull of the flesh; sometimes you’ll emerge victorious by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Other times, you’ll end up face first in the dirt at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ asking for forgiveness.

Just as we prepare to face the cold and flu season we can also prepare ourselves to face our temptations that so readily play to the appetite of our flesh. There are some things we can do to prepare ourselves in facing our temptations:

  • Study the Bible: This is where learning to resist the temptations of the flesh begins.  David wrote, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalms 119:11). As a child of God, it should be our desire to want to seek God’s counsel in all that we do.  When we read the Bible, it begins to manifest itself in our hearts; it will give us strength to resist the temptations to sin. Even the Lord Jesus Christ quoted scripture when he was tempted by Satan.  Memorize a verse or two and when you feel the temptations of sin approaching, recite the verses and find comfort and strength enough to resist what Satan has to offer.
  • Pray for ourselves and others: Within the book of James there are two scriptures that should cause every Christian to want a better and stronger prayer life: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:15-16). Add to this verse the understanding of the apostle Paul, Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6), it becomes clear we should always be near to our Heavenly Father through prayer.  It is through prayer that we can call upon His grace and mercy to sustain us during times of temptation.
  • Avoid the things that tempt us to sin: Solomon, heralded as the wisest of all kings, wrote, Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away (Proverbs 4:14-15) and Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil (Proverbs 4:27). This is some sound  advice for anyone who wants to resist the temptation to sin. When we find ourselves being tempted or committing sin, we have often put ourselves within the situation that led us to being tempted.  Avoid the places and people who offer us easy access to the things that tempt us to sin.  Avoid being placed in situations where the temptation to sin will override our ability to resist.  In other words, be aware of our surroundings.
  • Make an effort to be at church or with other Christians: Again, turning to the writings of the apostle Paul, Christians are encouraged to spend time with others of the faith: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Even the Lord Jesus Christ encourages us to seek the companionship of other Christians: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Quite simply, there is safety in numbers.  When we are regularly attending church it can strengthen our resolve to resist the temptations of sin.  And when we are not in church, we can still seek His assurances and strength by associating ourselves with other Christians.  We are less likely to cave to our fleshly weaknesses when we are in the presence of other Christians.
  • Sing a song to the Lord: There’s something about singing a song simply to praise and bring honor to God that elevates even the most tempted soul.  David wrote, While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being (Psalms 146:2) and Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy (Psalms 59:17). It does not matter if you sing a hymn known by millions or a song you are making up on the spot—but let your heart sing to the goodness of the Lord   Jesus Christ!  When we are singing praises to God I honestly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ bends a little to hear the song from our hearts.  The apostle Paul understood this and even encouraged us to offer such praise to Him: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15). Want to make devils tremble? When you’re tempted to sin, let Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, ring from your lips and heart.
  • Know our adversary and don’t surrender: The apostle Peter warns us to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  James urges us to Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). We must be aware of the things that appeal to our flesh and realize that the devil knows these weaknesses we have too. He knows when we are at our weakest and knows just how much he needs to push.  The Lord Jesus Christ promises us that if we will resist this pressure, then Satan will flee from us—and the reason is not because of anything we are doing, but because we are allowing Christ to work through us by submitting to His perfect will. Satan has no power as long as we resist temptation.

Knowing how to prepare to face temptations actually can serve to strengthen our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is important that each day we make a conscious effort to keep our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as close as we possibly can.  Only then can we enjoy the perfect peace and joy that Christ can bring.

[Because of current copyright laws in the United States, and even though I am the author of this devotional, it is required that I indicate that this was originally published in the January 2014 edition of Gospel Light Baptist Church newsletter, available at http://www.glbcky.com.]

Comments Off on Preparing for the onset of temptation

Posted in Chrisitian Philosophy, Christian Living

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Noticing, appreciating, and obeying the small things

Posted on November 18, 2013 by | Comments Off on Noticing, appreciating, and obeying the small things

Henderson Sidewalk

Earlier this year, as I celebrated my 43rd birthday, I decided that it was time to become more pro-active about my health. In June I mapped out a course that takes me from my apartment to the steps of the courthouse and back – a four mile walk that takes me a little over an hour to complete.  I have a busy day and being a creature of habit, I knew that I would have to make time for the walk – the only time that would work was first thing in the morning.  So, I began walking each morning between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m, nearly thirty minutes before the first rays of sunrise.  One morning I was running late for several reasons and started my walk closer to 6:00 a.m. and what I began to notice about my morning walk truly amazes me.

The picture above – an old sidewalk at the intersection of Main and Clay Streets in Henderson, Kentucky was something I never expected to discover on my morning routine.  Normally when I walk past this intersection, its still dark – but that particular morning, because of running late, the sun was up and I was noticing details about the town I live in simply because I was in a situation where I was more aware of my surroundings.  I was now aware of the things that I passed by every day on my journeys that I never knew existed and never gave a second thought to.  Shortly after I took the picture, I shared this picture in a Facebook photo album focused on Henderson and the immediate surrounding area, I wondered what blessings God has given to me that I have not noticed or shown him my gratitude because I have been too “busy.”  If I had not been walking after the sun had come up, I might have missed that little reminder of a bygone era of local history.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonike In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18).  At first, its hard to understand what exactly we need to be thankful for – but everything literally means – EVERYTHING.  As I think about the apostle James and his writing to early Christians, Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:13-14), I am reminded that I am not promised tomorrow.  With that in mind, the very act of waking up in the morning, the four mile walk, the hot shower, the challenges of being the father of a three-year old daughter, and everything else I face each day now become the very things that I must stop and give thanks to God for the blessings of life.  

The apostle John reminded the early Christians he wrote that Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward (II John 1:8).  John is reminding his readers that we are supposed to be mindful of everything that we have as Christians – the gifts of salvation, forgiveness, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the fruits of our salvation – and in doing so, it will allow us to receive the rewards that the Lord Jesus Christ has set before us.  We do this as pointed out by the apostle James as he wrote But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).  We gain our heavenly rewards based on remembering and by doing the things that the Lord Jesus Christ would have us to do.  We do these things by paying attention and being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I have found that it is not the large things that I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to that are the problem – it is the smaller things that the Spirit leads us to that we often overlook.  When is the last time you felt the Holy Spirit leading you to share the gospel or a kind word to someone you came across?  When is the last time you let the Holy Spirit lead you to buying a meal for the homeless man or woman you met on your daily routine. When is the last time you took time to pray for a co-worker that you saw was having a bad day or dealing with loss?  These are all small things in the eyes of man and often go unnoticed by many professing Christians. It should come as no surprise when Jesus taught those listening to him that day Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me (Matthew 25:45).  Those who are willing to feed the hungry, give living water to the spiritually thirsty, who offered a smile and a kind word to the stranger, took care of the poor, visit and pray for the sick, downtrodden, depressed, or visit those in prisons are the ones that are paying attention to even the must slightest leading of the Holy Spirit.  While they may not have the accolades of men, their deeds do not go unnoticed by a kind and loving God.

Although Jesus is teaching about alms, or the giving of clothing, food, shelter, or care to the poor, there is a spiritual teaching that can gleaned from it when He states Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward (Matthew 6:1-2). Those little things we do in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit may not be noticed by your family, your friends, or even your pastor, but they are noticed by God.

 

Comments Off on Noticing, appreciating, and obeying the small things

Posted in Chrisitian Philosophy, Our relationship with God

Tagged , , , , ,

Prayer: the need for intercession for ourselves and others

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Comments Off on Prayer: the need for intercession for ourselves and others

HPIM0326 (Medium)As Christians, we never know who is watching us or the circumstances that will occur to bring someone into our daily routine that needs to hear the reassurance that there is a God who cares and loves them.  It may seem a strange fit for this lesson to be connected with the picture taken at the Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky – the picture of the bridge over a small gully, but for what happened this morning, it will make perfect sense once I share what happened this morning and how I was able to be a “bridge” to someone involved in a spiritual battle.

But first, a little background about that bridge picture.  At the Audubon State Park there are several hiking trails that offer spectacular opportunities for those who enjoy photography the way that I do.  A few years ago during one of our Saturday outings, we walked along this one trail that rings a small pond within the center of the wildlife area.  As we were making the last of the trail’s bends and heading back to the road, we came to this old wooden footbridge that spanned a small little gully at the southeastern end of nature area.  It was a small bridge, but underneath it was a small little creek that flowed into the pond.  The area around the creek was not only marshy, but was in a bit of a gully – an area that had most of the topsoil washed away that exposed the large rocks in the creek.  Had it not been for the bridge, we would have had to get our feet wet, risk injury by walking on wet rocks, or would have had to go off the beaten path in search of a better area to cross.  Not only was the bridge convenient, but it was just what we needed at that time to cross that obstacle.

Now, back to the events of this morning.  I had an 8:30 a.m. appointment at the VA Clinic in Evansville and had arrived a few minutes early.  already knowing that I was going to be there for a while, I opened up the KJV Bible application on my phone to do some reading when I was called back.  I was shocked that I had actually been called back into the lab by 8:35 and was out by 8:45, but while I was in there, I had the first opportunity to minister to a fellow laborer in Christ.  The nurse that normally draws my blood when I get lab work done asked me if I would pray for her and her husband.  She told me that she didn’t want to go into specifics, but that there was a need that they needed to have met.  Taking the advice of my pastor, Alan Ramsey, instead of waiting to pray later and running the risk of forgetting, I asked her could we pray about it right then, so she reached out her hand, and we both began to pray about her and her husband’s needs.  In a few seconds, I felt another hand on my shoulder as one of the other nurses had heard us praying and she felt led to come in and join us in our prayer.  As we said our amens, I quoted Matthew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The third lady that had joined us looked at me and the other nurse and said she had forgotten about that scripture but knew when she heard us praying that she needed to be a part of it.  As I was having the various blood samples taken, we had a miniature Bible study on the importance of prayer, how Christians should be ready at any time to pray for one another, and the importance of keeping a clear conscious when it comes to our daily walk with Christ. I had never imagined that this morning I would be given the opportunity to serve as a “bridge” between God’s reassuring love and a fellow Christian struggling with a need.  I had no idea that I would be given the opportunity to serve as a “bridge” between two nurses that only a few minutes before had no idea that the other one was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The second nurse commented that in their work environment at the VA, they are openly told by management not to discuss or share their religious views openly with co-workers or patients.  When she heard us praying, she said she knew she would be safe joining us.

more on next page.

Pages: 1 2

Comments Off on Prayer: the need for intercession for ourselves and others

Posted in Christian Living, Discipleship, Our relationships with other Christians

Tagged , , , ,