Tending the “Crops” – TEMPTATION [15]

June 27, 2016buildafoundation Leave a comment

In the last post, Healthy Seeds!! —> Healthy Harvest!! – TEMPTATION [14], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-BQ, I mentioned that when we plant “seeds” of kindness, thoughtfulness, etc., in time they will produce a beautiful and abundant harvest.

But what happens if we plant “seeds” of unkindness, uncaring, selfishness, adultery, sex before marriage (fornication), abuse of alcohol, pornography, etc? We’ll get a harvest alright, and it may be abundant, but instead of beautiful, it can be ugly, hurtful, destructive, isolating, and painful.

…whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. – 2 Corinthians 9:6

This just makes logical sense. If I want to have a harvest of apples, I don’t plant pumpkin seeds. If I want a harvest of apples, I plant apple seeds.

pumpkin seeds red-cross-hi apple-tree-lg

apple seeds apple-tree-lg

We learned in this post and the last that the only way a harvest (a result) comes about is from the “seeds” we plant. But in between the planting and the harvest is the “tending”.

NOTE: Everyone is tempted from time to time. James reminds us in James 1:13 that when tempted… That is not an if statement, but a “you can guarantee you’ll be tempted” statement.

In fact, when Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray in Luke 11:1-4, Jesus teaches them the following prayer, called the Lord’s Prayer.

Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
Give us each day the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.

Notice the last line of the Lord’s Prayer – And don’t let us yield to temptation.

Jesus obviously knew people would struggle with temptation. In fact so much so that He included it in what is probably the most recited prayer in churches worldwide.

So I have a choice at the ”tending” point. Am I going to fuel the fire, or throw cold water on it and cool it down. Keep in mind that what you feed grows and thrives, for the good or for the bad. Choosing to cut off temptation’s “food” source will “kill” the temptation before it reaches the harvest.

Her are some examples of temptation’s “food” —

Lusting after a person when married to someone else
Watching or reading pornographic material
Thinking only about yourself and what will make “me” happy
Gossiping, bullying, drinking in excess, etc.

When I make the choice to “kill” the temptation, I’ll be able to continue along a more healthful path were I can thrive.

The Gospel writer, Matthew, warns us with this principle, If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. – Matthew 5:29

** IT’S ALWAYS GREAT TO HEAR FROM MY READERS 🙂 SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LIKE OR COMMENT BELOW 🙂 **

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

Healthy Seeds!! —>> Healthy Harvest!! – TEMPTATION [14] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-BQ

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What Is Driving Our Temptations?? – TEMPTATION – [7]

November 2, 2015November 5, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

These next few verses from 1 John 2:15-17 seem to shed some light on the origin of the temptations we face on a daily basis, –

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.

A craving is defined as a powerful desire for something. A longing, a yearning, a want, a desire, a hunger for, a thirst for… A craving is an all-encompassing feeling that pulls at you. So much so, that we tend to focus all our energy and attention on fulfilling the craving. Unfortunately, if we succeed, we never feel fulfilled. It like being on a perpetual merry-go-round or treadmill. Moving, but going no where, like a greyhound chasing the elusive rabbit around the racetrack.

John points out that cravings are the only thing the world has to offer people. He also points out that cravings are not from God.

WHAT THEN DOES GOD OFFER PEOPLE?

Eternal life through Jesus – For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Holy Spirit – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name (Jesus’ name), He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. –
John 14:16
That He will meet ALL our needs – God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
A rich and satisfying life – John 10:10
His Peace – You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
Contentment – 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 than food, and the body more than clothes? Look 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? – Matthew 6:25-26

Understand that there is a significant difference between what the world offers people and what God offers people. Fulfillment of cravings are only temporarily satisfying. And when those no longer meet our desires we chase after the next “new” craving that bubbles up from inside of us.

brain-bubbles

KING SOLOMON…

who lived much of his life apart from God as the richest, wisest, most powerful person in the 10th century, describes the world like this, “I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless–like chasing the wind.” – Ecclesiastes 1:14

God, on the other hand, desires is to fulfill our deepest longings. Those longings we may or may not even realize we have. Not temporarily, but permanently and fully.

WHY DOES GOD CARE ABOUT PEOPLE SO MUCH?

God created human beings in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. – Genesis 1:27

You (God) made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. – Psalm 139:13

The very hairs of your head are all numbered. – Matthew 10:30

And God knows the plans He has for you, they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

WHY TO WE CONTINUALLY CRAVE?

People have an innate desire for God whether they realize it or not. This can be described as a “God-shaped hole”. ALL people have this “God-shaped hole” within them which can only be filled by God. The “God-shaped hole” is a craving of sorts. A craving of the human heart for something outside itself. And although people don’t realize it, it was actually God who placed this craving in people’s hearts, He, God, has planted eternity in the human heart – Ecclesiastes 3:11

SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION THEN?

More often than not, people seek to fulfill their cravings with everything, and anything, other than God. Whether people attempt to fulfill their longings with work, relationships, money, family, etc. these will always come up short because fulfillment of these longings are only temporary and incomplete.

MAKE A CHOICE, MAKE A CHANGE …

Instead of chasing after the cravings of the world…

Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. – Matthew 6:32

SEEK first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong?? – TEMPTATION [5], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xt

RESPONSE TO READER’S COMMENT – Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong?? – TEMPTATION [5] – [6] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xZ

Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

A Sneak Preview – How Can I Resist Temptation?? – TEMPTATION [4]

September 29, 2015October 7, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but as I start to read books, magazines, etc. questions start to pop-up in my mind. Questions such as, yeah but what about…? Or, good to know, but now what do I do with this info…? And for me a big question knocking at the door of my psyche right now is whether or not it’s possible to resist temptation.

If you’ve had the chance to read What Gives You the Willies?? – TEMPTATION [1] http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vx, you would have seen near the end of the post, I wrote a number of points I am planning to blog about over the next few weeks. You may have also noticed, that the point – Is it possible to resist temptation? is near the end of the topics covered.

So I’ve decided to give you a sneak peek into the question, Is it possible to resist temptation? so that you can begin resisting temptation today!! 🙂

WHAT CAN I DO IF I’M TEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING I KNOW IS WRONG:

I CAN CONSCIOUSLY MAKE A CHOICE:

– I can choose to follow God’s ways vs. the temptation.

– I can ask God to strengthen me, and give me courage to conquer my temptation.

***DO NOT CHOOSE THE OPTION BELOW***

– I can choose to follow ungodly ways, giving Satan permission to enslave me.

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REMEMBER:

Be on guard, and above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. –
Proverbs 4:23

Protect yourself, hide the Word in your heart, so that you will not sin against God. – Psalm 119:11

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

Where Does My Desire to “Push the Envelope” Come From?? – TEMPTATION [3], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ws

Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong?? – TEMPTATION [5], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xt

Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

My Attitude!! My Rights!! – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2b) [5]

May 8, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

We had talked about God’s counter-intuitive ways for people to experience joy in the posts, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK. In Phil. 2:5, we see Paul is revealing to the Philippians another tip to experiencing joy in serving. He says, You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

WHAT WAS JESUS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD SERVING?

He humbled Himself, not clinging to His rights as God, and taking the form of a servant. – v.6-7 Mark, in Mark 10:44-45, puts it this way – whoever wants to be first among you must be the servant of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.

IS GOD’S ATTITUDE DIFFERENT FROM THE “WORLD’S” ATTITUDE?

I think the answer would be a definite YES!!

As I think about the way schools, businesses, and various organizations measure success and HAPPINESS, it seems that the world connects success and HAPPINESS with personal achievement.

Whereas, when we look at the counter-intuitive teaching of Jesus, He encourages people to look for ways to be a blessing to others, connecting service with success and JOY.

YEAH, BUT WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS? WHAT I DESERVE?

Remember from v.6, Jesus did not cling to His rights as God.

Here are a couple of examples of our “rights” —

“I can have an abortion. It’s my body, and I have a “right” to decide what I want to do.”
“I worked hard to earn my money. I have the “right” to keep it all for myself.”
“I work hard for my grades in school. I have the “right” to be recognized and rewarded for my efforts.”

WHAT DO OUR RIGHTS HAVE TO DO WITH SERVICE?

Because of our sinful natures, our natural tendency is to choose what we want, our will, verses God’s will. Our first reaction is self-preservation – me, me, me.

In Philippians 2:6-7, Paul is bringing to our attention that the world’s road to glory, fulfillment, success, happiness, etc., is nothing more than an illusion. Nothing more than a carrot dangling ahead of us, tempting us, and leading us to believe that if we catch it, then we’ll finally be HAPPY.

Paul describes Jesus’ preparation for service in Phil. 2:7, He made himself nothing, He emptied Himself, He took the humble position of a bond servant, and appeared in human form.

Jesus was now subject to “human” experiences. To pain, to temptation, to rules, to His parents, and most importantly, He was dependent on God.

I take a moment to note that Jesus, in choosing to humble Himself, to voluntarily take on the form of a human, in no way changed the fact that He continued to be God.

The fact that Jesus continued to be God, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin, Hebrews 4:15, is encouraging to me. It demonstrates I am not being forced to serve, or forced to depend on God. I choose to empty myself. I choose to serve. I choose to depend on God. Also, in making those choices I will not lose who I am, my personality, the characteristics that make me, me. No, instead I am accepting an opportunity to experience JOY.

Keep in mind that Jesus did not lose who He was, God. In the same way, as I mentioned above, we don’t lose who we are either. And who are we? Sinners!! – For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard – Romans 3:23

It’s because we’re sinners that we so desperately need a leader. We need to follow someone who has faced all of the same testings we do, yet did not sin – Hebrews 4:15. Someone who knows the way to JOY, and wants to help us experience JOY in our lives.

WHO SHOULD WE FOLLOW?

Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with GOD, the Creator of the Universe?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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Replies to Comments from = Stress – Chance or Choices??

March 20, 2015March 23, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. – Proverbs 11:14

It has come to my attention that when readers leave a comment on one of my blog posts, the readers are not being notified when I reply. I hope they do not feel that their comments were not valued, and/or simply ignored.

I want to assure my readers that this is NOT the case. I love to read and reply to comments. I enjoy the virtual dialogue, great questions, and comments on my posts. They challenge me, and other readers to consider different perspectives. It’s also great to know how people are being touched and affected by my posts.

Therefore, since I have not been able to figure out how to send my readers comment reply notifications, I’ve decided to add a post when people comment so that they, along with my other readers will see my response.

So, keep those comments coming 🙂

The following are comments/replies from the post = Stress – Chance or Choices?? http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ek

KARALEE’S COMMENT: Thanks for the thoughtful post. A thought I had, there are two types of choices: 1.) the type where you set something in motion 2.) how you choose to react in any given situation. It is really important that we look inside ourselves in how we choose to react to others choices. Thanks for the good reminder of choice and consequence and its effects.

MY REPLY: Thanks for your comment 🙂 Your second point, is right “on point” 🙂
Wow, how many times can we look back – again, if we dare, and see how we’ve chosen to respond in a situation, or towards a person. Did our response result in a “healthy” discussion and resolution, or distance and division?
How often have we felt hurt because of what someone did or said to us? But in an attempt to avoid confrontation, we “try” to ignore the offense, under the guise of being a “godly” person. Yet, inside we’re raging, holding bitterness and resentment towards that situation or person, further damaging the relationship.
Here’s a great take away = the next time we find our insides begin to tighten up, and we’re ready to blow our stack, let’s take a deep breath…, and remember –
OUR CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES 🙂

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CRAIG’S COMMENT: I think of my ex-wife who was a notorious flirt and was involved in multiple affairs. She thrived on male attention and it didn’t matter if the man was single or the husband of another woman. In the end, she got involved with her boss, a man whose wife was dying of cancer – both friends of the family. I can still vividly remember this man embracing my wife as she passed through the reception line at his wife’s funeral, kissing her full on the lips in front of me and all the other guests. Neither of them were the least bit embarrassed by this public display of affection. Clearly, it wasn’t the first time they had kissed.

Although they were unashamed, their reputation was tarnished. They became pariahs among their co-workers. The divorce cost me not only my family but my entire life savings. My ex-wife’s life was consumed with stress as she continued to pursue a double life-style with lies and deceit. Not to mention the damage done to the children by the break up of their family and estrangement of their father. Though I tried to reason with my wife over the years, she refused to change her behavior. Just as Proverbs says, the results were disastrous.

MY REPLY: Thank you for sharing the devastating effects of your ex-wife’s betrayal. I am so sorry you had to experience those “deep” hurts 😦
Thank you also for sharing the results of the betrayal. You have further reinforced the high costs of choosing “our way” vs “God’s way” – tarnished reputations, shame, financial ruin, lies, deceit, emotional pain, breakdown of family, trust, pain, etc. all left in the wake of one’s selfish choices.
As the previous person commented, how “we choose” to react in any given situation can be the difference between sinking into despair or pushing through and rising above.
I applaud your courage and perseverance.

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles… – Isaiah 40:31

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CRAIG’S COMMENT: I omitted one important fact. The Lord afflicted my ex-wife with a condition that made it impossible for her to enjoy physical intimacy without severe pain.

MY REPLY: The Lord works in mysterious ways…

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I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2 of 3)

March 17, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. – Psalm 34:17

In my last post, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-hK, we were left with this unanswered question: HAS GOD ANSWERED THIS STUDENT’S PRAYER?

ANSWER: This is an interesting question, and my answer would be YES! No, God did not come out and say, “College “B” is the school I’ve chosen for you, if you go there everything will be perfect.” However, God is guiding this student towards clarity.

IS GOD ANSWERING MY PRAYER EVEN THOUGH I STILL HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS, AND FEEL SO UNCERTAIN?

Sometimes in life there is not a definitive answer, but more than one good option. For example, I have the choice to pick chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla ice cream. If I choose vanilla, is that wrong? Or if I choose strawberry, am I right? No, all three flavors are great choices, it’s just a matter of which I’d prefer.

There are times, however, when there is a clear right and wrong choice. For example, the drinking age is 21 years old, and I am 18 years old. I choose to drink even though it’s against the law. Clearly a wrong choice.

God has given people free will. And exercising our free will enables us to make decisions based on our preferences. When we are actively seeking God’s will, He will help us think through our options to determine the best fit for us. By allowing us to do some of the “leg-work”, guided by His promptings, we will feel more confident that the decisions we make are inline with God’s will for us.

Important to Remember: What is good for one person, may or may not be good for you, or me. Every person’s journey through life is unique to them. As unique as their fingerprint.

This is why it is so important to seek God’s will. He created us, and He has an awesome plan for our lives. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

HOW SHOULD I PROCEED THEN?

For the answer to the above question, take a look at: I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 3), – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ij and, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-h

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I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1 of 3)

March 16, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

You’ll notice that I highlighted in line with His will. This is a key point because often times we like to put God in “our” box.

We like to tell God what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. After all, if God is listening to us, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for.

Maybe you have this type of thinking when it comes to God? Check out this video…

EXCEPT, when what we want is not in line with His will.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT GOD’S WILL IS?

When praying, tell God that you desire to know His will. That you want what He wants. That you know He loves you and has your best interest in mind. …we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. – Romans 8:28

The promise of answered prayers can be claimed by anyone who loves God. Meaning they’ve put their trust in Him, and obey what He teaches them in the Bible. They’ve allowed God to transform the way they look at situations, people, the culture, the world …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 12:2

IF ALL THIS IS TRUE, THEN WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT GOD IS NOT ANSWERING MY PRAYERS?

One thing I’m certain of is that God doesn’t always answer our prayers in clear-cut/black-and-white way. Sometimes He might be saying wait, sometimes yes, sometimes no, and other times He may be urging us to question or refine our requests.

LET’S USE AN EXAMPLE – A Student Choosing Between Two Colleges

Student –

“I don’t know which college to attend. I’ve been accepted to two. I like both. Both offer great/unique programs. I will pray to God and ask Him which college I should go to.”
“I feel uneasy. Should I choose College “A” or College “B”? I’ve been praying, yet all I have is more anxiety and more unanswered questions.”
“I feel like I’d like to attend an Open House at each of the schools to get a feel for the campus and students.”
“I feel like I should call the schools to clarify options for extra curricular activities that would compliment my chosen major.”
“I’ve discovered today, that taking courses towards a minor in ______ vs. ______ would be a better fit with my major.”
“I’ve submitted applications for scholarships, and received one from College “A”. Still waiting on the results from College “B”.
“There are students that I’d like to room with, and took the necessary steps for that to occur.”

HAS GOD ANSWERED THIS STUDENT’S PRAYER?

FOR THE ANSWER TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT: I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-i5for the answer to this question, and I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 3) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ij

HINT: For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. – Job 33:14

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So Many Choices, How Can I Choose?? – PROVERBS 5 [7 out of 7]

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

The person without the Spirit can’ t understand the truths that come from the Spirit of God. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Verses 21-23 wrap up Proverbs 5:
21   For the LORD sees clearly what a man does,
       examining every path he takes.
22   An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
       they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23   He will die for lack of self-control;
       he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

What I particularly like about Solomon’s advice is that he is a straight-talker. You don’t have to read between the lines to understand his message (see bold print).

Solomon points out clearly that it’s the choices we made that define the path we’re on today. We weren’t randomly teleported to where we are now.

If we take the time to reflect on our past choices, using the gift of reasoning God gave only to people, we would be able to see that, “I did _____ in this situation, choosing to do _______, and ______ , and the result was _______.” Hind sight is 20/20 after-all. 🙂

Each choice we make takes us down a different path. Some great, some a learning experience, and some destructive. We’re continually making choices. We’re never stagnant.

For example – I chose to look down, although quickly, at a text while driving, and don’t see that the car in front of me slowed up to let a family of geese pass, and I hit them.

These warnings from Solomon in Proverbs Chapter 5, , and others we read about in the Bible, are there because God knows we struggle with all the choices that bombard us. If this was not an issue, God wouldn’t spend so much time emphasizing, and re-emphasizing the potential irreversible emotional, and physical consequences of going our own way.

I mean seriously, isn’t it hard enough trying to pick out the “right” tube of toothpaste at the grocery store?

Won’t it be nice to be able to KNOW which toothpaste would give me those bright white teeth? Wouldn’t it be nice to KNOW which choice would give me a rich and satisfying life? – John 10:10

Thankfully, we can KNOW the “wise” choice. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. – Matthew 7:13

Make a choice today to follow God’s ways, and ask God into your heart, see The Cornerstone… tab in the menu.

(To read all the posts from Proverbs 5, click Proverbs 5 link under Categories in sidebar, or scroll down if viewing on mobile version)

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God – Keeping Sexual Purity “Real” – PROVERBS 5 – [6]

February 20, 2015February 20, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.  Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor…  –  1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
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15 Drink water from your own well—

    share your love ONLY with your wife.

16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,

    having sex with just anyone?

17 You should reserve it for yourselves.

    Never share it with strangers.

¹⁸Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
    Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
¹⁹She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
    Let her breasts satisfy you always.
    May you always be captivated by her love.
²⁰Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
    or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

Solomon doesn’t hold anything back in these next few verses of Proverbs 5. Can you believe this is God giving us these intimate/detailed guidelines?

That’s our Creator.

He tells it like it is. He keeps it real. He knows our hearts, He knows all people, No one needs to tell him what mankind is really like. – John 2:24-25, He knows our weaknesses. He warns us because He loves us and wants to protect us.

Although He doesn’t force us to choose His way, He gave people freewill. He doesn’t want us to feel hopeless and confused.

The promise God gave the Israelites, 3,000+ years ago, is true for us today, as well. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, (pleading, begging, my add) that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! – Deuteronomy 30:19

What a powerful and hopeful verse!!

God wants us to be aware that our actions have consequences, both positive and negative.

Would I be a good parent if I didn’t tell my children that “doing” drugs is harmful to themselves and others?
Would I be a good parent if I told my children that having sex outside of marriage is nothing more than a “good” time, with no physical or emotional repercussions?
Would I be a “good” parent if I simply let the culture drive my children’s decisions, so they could experience “real life”?

If we, sinful people, know how to give good gifts (protection and warnings, my add) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him (who follow Him, my add). – Matthew 7:11

We might not want to believe this, but we’ve all experienced the fact that we can’t change other people. Even if the advice, support, and guidance we’re giving them is right on target, some people would rather touch the fire to be sure it’s hot, rather than listening and heeding the advice of those who have already been burned.

As Solomon writes in the Book of Ecclesiastes, History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. There’s nothing new under the sun. – Ecclesiastes. 1:9

I urge and remind myself, and others –

DON’T just listen to God’s word. DO what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. – James 1:22

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Stress – Chance or Choices?? – PROVERBS 5 [5]

February 17, 2015February 17, 2015buildafoundation 6 Comments

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

9    If you do, you will lose your honor
      and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.
10 Strangers will consume your wealth,
       and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
11 In the end you will groan in anguish
      when disease consumes your body.
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
       If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
       Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
     and now I must face public disgrace.

We left off in Proverbs 5:1-9 with: – (see previous post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-dA)

7 Never stray from what I am about to say:
8 Stay away from her!
Don’t go near the door of her house!

Continuing to v.9 above, Solomon warns about losing your honor and what you’ve achieved.

I’ll use the example of engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage. Purity is one gift that can never be re-gifted. If we choose to give our “gift” of purity, intended as a special ”gift” to our spouse on our wedding night, to someone who is likely a passing infatuation, we lose the opportunity to give that “gift” again.

Or, in the case of a marriage covenant that has been violated by an adulteress affair. The trust, respect, and the relationship as a whole, has been forever changed. And if a divorce is the result of the adulteress affair, this leads to distribution of wealth – child support, ex-spousal maintenance, and verse 10, someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. Sadly, the fruits of your labor, are not solely enjoyed as one family, but rather must be divided up between your present “family” and your ex-family.

Verse 11 goes on to say that, disease consumes your body.
This could come in many forms, but the one that I think of immediately is stress. Stress takes a devastating toll on a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Life, in general, can be stressful. But when WE MAKE choices contrary to God’s guidance, it only compounds our stress.

What got us into this mess?

v. 12 – I hated discipline. I ignored all the warnings!
v. 13 – I didn’t listen to my teachers or instructors

The result?

v. 14 – now I must face public disgrace (face the consequences of my choices – my add)

We see in the verses 1-11, not to mention the 4 previous chapters in Proverbs, warning after warning. (See posts under Categories – Proverbs 1-4 – sidebar on computer view and bottom of page on mobile view). Each one given to us for our protection.

However, when our pride says, “____ can’t happen to me, it’s no big deal, everyone else is doing it, it’s all under control, I’m fine,…” yet I find myself in a “BIG mess”, if I dare… I can look back and see that with every step I took, I HAD a choice, and I MADE a choice. A choice to follow my way or God’s way.

Unfortunately, that same “I” who made those choices, trusting in myself vs my Creator, is now stuck with the consequences.

In the above verses, the consequences are negative. But had “I” listened to, and accepted God’s loving discipline, the results would been positive and fulfilling.

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