Where Does My Desire to “Push the Envelope” Come From?? – TEMPTATION [3]

September 23, 2015September 29, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

WHERE DOES TEMPTATION COME FROM?

In Mark 7:21-22, we learn that temptation is inside of us, in our thoughts. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. – James 1:14-15

HOPE FOR GOD-FOLLOWERS…

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. And afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

AN IMPORTANT FACT TO REMEMBER:

As long we are on earth, and in our physical bodies, we can expect to experience temptation.

EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

We don’t have to give into temptation.

Temptation in and of its self is NOT a sin. It becomes a sin once my sinful thoughts become actions.

** FOR MORE POSTS ON TEMPTATION SEE LINKS BELOW **

Are My Urges and Desires a Sin?? – TEMPTATION [2], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vY

A Sneak Preview – How Can I Resist Temptation?? – TEMPTATION [4], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xc

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Persevere =>> Be Rewarded… – PROVERBS 3:33-35 [7 of 7]

January 28, 2015January 28, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

They see what I do, but they don’t perceive its meaning.  They hear my words, but they don’t understand.  So they will not turn from their sins and be forgiven.  –  Mark 4:12
————————————————————————————–
32         Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,

         but He offers His friendship to the godly.

33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the upright.

³⁴The Lord mocks the mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

³⁵The wise inherit glory and honor,
but fools are put to shame!

Although this Proverb is only 35 verses long, Solomon packs in a ton of practical/applicable principles.

In the first few verses of Proverbs 3:1-10, Solomon talks about cause and effect relationships — (See posts referencing these verses — http://wp.me/p5nZpi-87, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-89, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-8z).
He then moves on to talk about God’s loving discipline, verses 11-12 — (See post — http://wp.me/p5nZpi-9v).
And then to showing the benefits of seeking and following Wisdom, verses 13-20 — (See post — http://wp.me/p5nZpi-av).
In verses 21-32, Solomon gives a number of warnings — (See post — http://wp.me/p5nZpi-b6).
And lastly, in verses 32-35, above, Solomon wraps up Proverbs 3 with BUT(s), (in bold print).

After all the don’t(s) that we saw in the previous verses, Solomon uses these last four verses to reassure God-followers that He does care about them. That He understands that those who follow His ways may be challenged and ridiculed. BUT, those who persevere, will be rewarded with…

God’s friendship – v. 32
blessing over their home (family, marriage, relationships, finances, health, etc.) – v. 33
favor (with others) – v. 34
glory and honor – v. 35

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Choose today to be among those who will one day say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me–the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing”.- 2 Timothy 4:7-8

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Outward Show or From the Heart?? – ZEPHANIAH – 3i [17 OUT OF 17]

December 19, 2014December 19, 2014buildafoundation Leave a comment

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. – 2 Timothy 4:7

Then God, through the prophet Zephaniah, ends the Book of Zephaniah with strength and authority —

20)) On that day I will gather you together
    and bring you home again.
I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,
    among all the nations of the earth,
as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!

This short, three chapter, Book of Zephaniah started out as a message of terror in chapter 1, but concludes in chapter 3 with a message of hope.

We read in this book that one man, King Josiah, attempted to reform the people of Judah/Jerusalem encouraging them, more like ordering them, to follow God. Although the people appeared to follow God, this was just facade (a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation), because in their hearts they were far from God.

Hopefully reading Zephaniah has got you thinking about your own relationship with God. Is your relationship just an outward show? Do you go to church on Sunday, and don’t think about God again until the next Sunday? Or, when you leave church you get road rage when cars seemingly take forever to get out of the church’s parking lot? Or do you praise God in church, but with that same voice use God’s name in vain, or speak negatively about another?

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. – James 3:9

Because we are fallen people, everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard – Romans 3:23, we all need reminders, found in the Bible, of how to live life God’s Way. It is so easy to get caught up in the world’s expectations of us. Have this kind of house, this kind of job, send your kids to this kind of school, and on and on and on. But what God tells us is that what we need most is a Savior (Jesus). One who can free us from the bondage of our sins – anger, envy, greed, etc.

If you are currently living your life apart from God, or appearing outwardly to be a God-follower, but your heart is far from Him, honoring God with your lips, but your heart is far from Him – Matthew 15:8 you can choose today, right now, to exercise your free will and begin to experience restoration and healing in your life.

The message is close at hand, And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:8-13

God Pulls Us Close :) – ZEPHANIAH – 3g – [15]

December 12, 2014December 14, 2014buildafoundation Leave a comment

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is – Ephesians 3:17

With all the love God is showering over His people, verses 15-17 ,http://wp.me/p5nZpi-4G, you might think that God has forgotten all those that have caused you pain, rejected you, hated you, etc. You might think that God is going to let them off the hook. Let by gones be by gones. Not so!!! Remember, although God is a god of mercy, He is also a god of justice. And those that have chosen to reject God, have chosen to go their own way, and have caused hurt, God promises in verse 19 that He

19)) WILL DEAL SEVERELY WITH ALL WHO HAVE OPPRESSED YOU. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed.

20)) On that day I will gather you together

    and bring you home again.

I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,

    among all the nations of the earth,

as I (will) restore your fortunes before their very eyes.
These verses, and many others found in the Bible, are there to be an encouragement and reminder of God’s immense love for His followers. That He is giving each one a GREAT BIG BEAR HUG, 
pulling us close to Him, protecting and comforting us, and NO ONE can snatch (us) away – John 10:28

The Day of Hope WILL Come!!!!! – ZEPHANIAH – 3f – [14]

December 10, 2014December 14, 2014buildafoundation Leave a comment

Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death. – Psalm 68:20

What will it be like when the “day of hope” comes?

Verse 15 tells us that the Lord will remove his hand of judgment
    and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
And the Lord himself, the King of Israel,
    will live among you!
At last your troubles will be over,
    and you will never again fear disaster.

It is interesting to note that on the “day of hope”, God once again reminds and encourages His people saying, Don’t be afraid! – v.16

What will rid us of our fears? The Lord, of course!! Why? Because,

^{17 ))}For the Lord your God is living among you. (AND)
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

This is all possible because God is love, 1 John 4:8. Not that God loves, is willing to love, tries to love, … No, God IS love. And every person innately seeks out love. Not always in the most healthy ways, but nevertheless, everyone has a desire to be accepted and unconditionally loved.

Can “people” fulfill our desire to be loved the way God promises to love us? I think we can all speak from personal experience, that the answer is a strong NO!! So, if you want to be loved in a way that only God can love you, ask Him into your heart, your life. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8

The Humble WILL be Rewarded – ZEPHANIAH – Chapter 3e [13]

December 8, 2014December 14, 2014buildafoundation Leave a comment

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippines 3:14

9)) “Then I will purify the speech of all people,
so that everyone can worship the Lord together.
10)) My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
will come to present their offerings.
11)) On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed,
for you will no longer be rebels against me.
I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you.
There will be no pride on my holy mountain.
12)) Those who are left will be the lowly and humble,
for it is they who trust in the name of the Lord.
13)) The remnant of Israel will do no wrong;
they will never tell lies or deceive one another.
They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”

Comparing Genesis 11:1-9, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-2W, and Zephaniah 3:9-13 we see that people were/will be coming together for a single purpose, yet their motivations are quite different. In Genesis 11:1-9, the people are coming together to make themselves famous, Genesis 11:4. Whereas, in Zephaniah 3:9-13, they will be coming together to humbly worship God.

Verses 11-13 tell us that we can look forward to the day when the humble will be rewarded. Rewarded because they lived their earthly lives trusting God, listening and following Him. They not only listened to God’s word, but they did what it said, James 1:22.

This is the same day, the day of hope, we pray and look forward to, when we pray, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Matthew 6:10.

The day of hope is a “real” day. A day when those who have humbled themselves, yielding themselves to God vs. self-reliance and pride, will enjoy fellowship with God and God-followers.

Choices, Choices, Choices??? – PROVERBS – Chapter 1d – 1:10-19 (b) [7]

April 30, 2014December 14, 2014buildafoundation Leave a comment

You can hold on to the hope that I, The Lord, will not change what I have promised.
Hebrews 6:17-18

So what does Solomon want us to take away from the confusing verses of Proverbs 1:10-19? http://wp.me/p5nZpi-2I
First, Solomon wants to remind and warn us, that sin can be very attractive. The danger in following unwise choices, vs. the truth, is that they will then become our compass, what directs us in our everyday interactions.

Secondly, acting on sinful choices will not enable us to reach the goals we hope to achieve. What may look “good” at the onset, may end up trapping us in an unhealthy lifestyle. Solomon warns us not to comprise our values and ignore God’s guidance, following what “man” deems as success.

Often times the enticement of promised friendships, the allure of being “part of the group”, moving up in our job, etc. overtakes our better judgment.

Solomon warns not to get caught up in the temptations around us, DON’T follow them. STAY AWAY, verse 15.
Solomon uses an analogy of a bird in verse 17. A bird, which certainly does not have the intelligence of a person, yet instinctively recognizes a trap and STAYS AWAY. Sadly, when we choose to venture out into the world “on our own”, without God and His principles, we set an ambush for ourselves; – v.18, which will end tragically.

Lastly, THE KEY is to think beyond the here and now. To consider the future consequences of our present choices. Short-term choices vs. Long-term effects. We have free will to make choices, but not the freedom to choose our consequences.