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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A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 3 of 4)

April 13, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

Let’s take just one moment to recap from the previous post, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY.

God’s way to joy =>> Other-centered – them, them, them (How can I be a blessing to others? What might I have to “give up”, sacrifice, to restore a relationship, to start a relationship, to set healthy boundaries in a relationship, etc.)

The world’s way to happiness =>> Self-centered – me, me, me (What’s in it for me? What will make me happy?)

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The life God calls us to live may seem, at first glance, counter-intuitive and challenging. It seems to fight against every fiber of our being. I often feel the way Paul describes himself in Romans 7:19 – I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

Referencing the slide from my previous post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY, The Way to…, we can see that there is a battle being fought for our hearts.

Satan, the god of this world, John 12:31, the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2, seeks to influence our ideas, opinions, goals, hopes, education, finances, and worldview (philosophies) towards his ways. Forget about others. You’re the only one who matters. Look out for #1.

God, on-the-other-hand, wants to give us wisdom, James 1:5, He’s allowed us to experience love, because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19. God, who so deeply desires a relationship with us, that He willingly gave His Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice in our place, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16, and live forever with God. He desires for us to look outside of ourselves, towards others. Not for His benefit, but for ours.

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Have you ever heard of making a New Year’s Resolution? A promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.

Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness? Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

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WHAT DO THESE SEEMINGLY, RANDOM, QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH GOD’S WAY TO JOY?

< “I Just Wanna Be Happy!! – (Part 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH >

SEE ALSO: (PART 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, (PART 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY

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Are Angels and God the Same Thing??? – ANGELS [3]

March 2, 2015March 6, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

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Angel followers??

Back in the 1960’s a New Age movement began calling itself, “the Age of Aquarius”. Along with this movement came angel followers. The leaders of the movement led people to believe that angels could see all , hear all, and know all.

Ummm, do those characteristics that sound familiar to you? Perhaps, similar to all powerful (omnipotent), all present (omnipresent), all knowing (omniscience)?

Perhaps they sound like characteristics used to describe God?

So the New Age Movement was basically saying that angels were God???

The angels of the Age of Aquarius were thought to be either messengers of God, or spirits of deceased humans who could impart learning and understanding from “the other side” on us “earthlings”. They watch over every aspect of our lives, and death, everything. They loved us. Ummm…

Does this sound just a little bit too good to be true? Maybe so, but is sure sounds appealing.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone did love you that much? Watched over you. Cared about every aspect of your life. That nothing was too big or too small for them to deal with.

In fact, they would welcome the opportunity to help you. They would want to communicate all their knowledge freely to you, no strings attached. They would be willing to guide, protect, and direct you. That they would give you a “guide-book” to help you navigate through life as an “earthling”.

If you were thinking as you read, “Hey, we do have someone who promises to do all those things”. You’re correct, we do. But it’s not angels, it’s GOD, the creator of everything, including angels.

Keep in mind, that the “created” will never see more, hear more, or know more than the one who created it

So are angels real, or are just another made-up human idea seeking to fill the void God has put in hearts each one of us?

As you may know, angels (and demons) are mentioned in the Bible, and it is from this source that we will be learning about them. Not from unstable, unfounded speculation or superstitions, but from the stable and trusted Word of God.

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Take a Step, Make a Choice, THEN… – PROVERBS 3:7-10 [3]

January 9, 2015January 27, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

7   DON’T be impressed with your own wisdom.
     Instead, (IF you) fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8   (THEN) you will gain renewed health and vitality.
9   (IF you) Honor the Lord with your wealth
     and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 THEN He will fill your barns with grain,
       and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Solomon continues IF/THEN comparisons in verses 7-10.

Solomon begins verse 7 with a warning. Don’t be impressed with our own wisdom. I like how the New International Version (NIV) puts it – Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Or the New Living Translation (NLT) – Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Instead, as we read on in verse 7, we’re encouraged to take an action step and make a choice to turn away from evil.

The result of making a conscious decision to follow God’s ways, (THEN) verse 8, is renewal. Renewal is defined as replacing or repairing something that is worn-out, run-down, or broken. The principle is that when we choose to turn away from evil, our lives will be renewed. Our health and vitality (energy) are restored and replenished – we get a new lease on life.

God has not left us alone to navigate life. God, in His grace, has made available wise counselors, friends, internet, churches, etc. to us. He’s also made available to us an instruction manual, a “treasure” map – the Bible.

God loves people so much, not only did He give his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16, but through His daily provisions, which often go unnoticed or taken for granted. He wants to remove the guess-work and the groping around in the dark from our daily living and interactions. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! – Mark 4:9 (We hear with our ears, but there is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding. – Life Application Bible)

Verses 9 and 10 give us a way to take action and honor God. It is our way of saying thanks, and acknowledging that all we have has been given to us from God. Our finances, our talents, our intelligence, everything that makes us who we are. What’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is not faith at all — it is dead and useless. – James 2:14,17

When we share with others, when we offer a kind/comforting word, when we hear of a need and meet it, etc., all these actions honor God. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. – Matthew 25:35-36
And then, it is as though God says “thank you” right back to us for honoring Him. THEN He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. – v.10

Thanksgiving and blessings, thanksgiving and blessings, on and on, and on.

⁶Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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IF , THEN __… – PROVERBS 3:1-4 [1]

January 5, 2015January 27, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

What you say flows from what is in your heart. – Luke 6:45

1   My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2   IF you do this, (THEN) you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
3 (IF you) Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!                                                                                  (IF you) Wear them like a necklace, as a reminder.
(IF you) Write them deep within your heart.
4 THEN you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

In the first few verses of Proverbs Chapter 3, Solomon utilizes cause and effect. If you do ____, then _____ will be the result. You’ll notice in bold type, and in ( ), if/then that I’ve added for emphasizing the cause/effect relationships in verse 1-4.

From the opening of chapter 3 we’re reminded – NEVER forget the things I’ve taught you, store them in your heart.

Verse 2 – IF you follow these principles (throughout the Book of Proverbs and the Bible)
THEN you’ll live long and have a satisfying life (you’ll be content, fulfilled)
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33

Verse 3 – we see two particular character traits mentioned, loyalty and kindness. A character trait is a distinguishing factor(s) that is specific to an individual.
How do we recognize character traits in people? Their attitudes and beliefs are reflected in their actions.
A loyal person is someone another person/people can count on. They are faithful. As in the example of a husband and wife in marriage, or an employee to an employer, or a friend to a friend.
A kind person is someone who looks out for best interests in another. Like a big sister making sure her little brother crosses the street safely, helping a kid who dropped their books in the hall, or holding a door open for someone.

Verse 3 goes on to say that our attitudes/beliefs are demonstrated by the actions we take. Wear loyalty and kindness like a necklace. An outward sign. Write them deep within your heart. Internalize them. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think – Romans 12:2

We’ve all heard the saying, actions speak louder than words. Not only do actions speak louder than words, but actions actually speak/reflect our internal attitudes/beliefs. The words, feelings, and thoughts that no one sees or hears. Yet, as hard as we may try to suppress our innermost attitudes/beliefs, our actions are acting like a megaphone announcing the “hidden” internal world of our hearts.

But, IF we follow Solomon’s principle in verse 3, THEN, v.4, we’ll find favor with God, and favor with people, and earn a good reputation. A win-win!!

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