opportunity

TEMPTATION…

If I’m being honest, just saying the word temptation gives me the willies.

For me, temptation can mean a creepy-looking guy offering me an unknown substance in a dark alley…

or my so-called “friends” tempting me to drink irresponsibly, in the name of fun.

But is this what temptation is?

Is temptation an in-your-face proposal to engage in potentially harmful behaviors?

Or can temptation instead be subtle,

like wanting to tell a white lie to avoid getting in trouble.

Or, not wanting to tell the clerk she gave you too much change back.

Temptation is tricky thing because it has a tendency to sneak up on us.

We might be going along, minding our own business, when BAM!! a SALE!!

All the cute colors, styles, and what a good price 🙂 🙂

So you open your wallet, and it’s empty, no cash 😦

Yeah, but you see that you have a couple of credit cards!! Should you buy, buy, buy?? Or wait??

We’re faced with making decisions throughout the day, every day. Some are easy, and some, not so easy. Some are black and white, whereas, most are gray. In some areas we may be tempted to test the boundaries, in others we are not, and visa-versa.

In this **NEW ** blog series – Temptation – we’re going to be looking at…

— What is, and is not temptation?

— Where does temptation come from?

— Does everyone experience temptation?

— Were any people in the Bible tempted?

— Who or what tempts us?

— What is the harvest (the results) of temptation?

— Is it possible to resist temptation?

We will be answering these questions and more, as we learn how we can recognize and protect ourselves from the temptations that come our way.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

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

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

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.
If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!
A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

The Book of Philippians is a letter, written by the Apostle Paul. It is a rather short book, consisting of 4 chapters. Each chapter describing how joy can be experienced within different contexts.

Chapter 1 – Joy in Suffering
Chapter 2 – Joy in Serving
Chapter 3 – Joy in Believing
Chapter 4 – Joy in Giving

When I read Paul’s letters, I like to imagine that he wrote them to me.

By making the letters personal, as was Paul’s intention, I read them as “pep talks”.

They encourage me, while reminding me, that regardless of my circumstances there is hope when I put my trust in the Lord.

WHAT WAS PAUL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHILIPPIANS?

Looking at Phil 1:5 we see that Paul had a special relationship with the Philippians, You have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

Because of the close relationship Paul shares with the Philippians, he knows that they are troubled by his suffering. Therefore, he takes the time to reassure them that his suffering is not without purpose. Paul says, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” – Phil 1:12–15

WHO’S IN CONTROL OF OUR LIVES?

He reminds the Philippians that God is sovereign, and in control of his (and their) life and circumstances. Paul lets them know that he is fulfilling God’s intended purpose for him.

SUFFERING => UNFAIRNESS OR OPPORTUNITY?

Paul saw his imprisonment, not as an act of unfairness, or God forsaking him, but rather as an opportunity. An opportunity to spread the Good News that Christ came to save people, including prisoners and prison guards.

He saw his situation through God’s eyes verses limited human eyes.

Paul encouraged people by the way he responded when he was put into less-than-desirable situations. He demonstrated his faith, and encouraged others to experience God’s provision and comfort found in suffering.

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED A POST FROM PHILIPPIANS, SEE LINKS BELOW 🙂

– Want to Know a Secret – (Introduction) Philippians [1] , http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mp

– Really?? There Can Be Joy In Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Ch.1b) [3] , http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no

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Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!