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.

————————————————————-

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

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

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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“Coffee Anyone?”, asks God

January 13, 2015March 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous… Psalm 139:13-14

As I read my Bible this morning, I came across a verse in the Book of Luke that caused me to pause. When this happens, it reminds me of a record player when the needle gets stuck in a groove and keep repeating the same words or melody over and over and over.

It’s at this point that I have a choice to make. Ignore the prompting to reread, and move on, or stop to reread and ponder.

When it comes to Bible reading “they” say, “you have to cover “X” amount of chapters, verses, etc., and stick to your Bible reading plan. If you don’t, you’ll never finish reading the Gospels, or the Psalms, or the Old Testament, etc. And you’ll certainly never finish reading the entire Bible.” It’s at this point that I ask myself, who’s “they” anyway??

I approach reading the Bible a bit differently. To me reading the Bible is similar to talking with someone on the phone, texting, or meeting for coffee. It’s all about the relationship. It’s not a one-way conversation, it’s the sharing back and forth of feelings, facts, experiences, hopes, etc., between two people. How silly it would be if I met someone for coffee and whipped out my “thoughts” list, and started rattling it off? And then, when I was finished reading my list, I’d get up and walk out the door?

When you see the above scenario in writing, it seems ludicrous. Who would ever ask to meet a friend for coffee and read off a list? Not to mention walking out without saying goodbye, or thanks for listening. Yet, how often have we, myself included, interacted this way with God?

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sat with a friend, started on one topic, and ended up touching of several others before the first cup of coffee was finished. Or when a comment said in passing, turned out to be discussed in-depth. When I meet up with friends I don’t have a checklist. I’m getting together with them to catch up, and share what’s been going on in our lives. If we just talk about what happened today, and never get to last week or next week, who cares. This is what we needed, or wanted, to talk about now.

For me, this is the kind of relationship I have with God. So when I’m reading the Bible and get the feeling I should pause and reread. I pause and reread because I know that God has something to share with me. I ask Him, “what are you trying to show me? What do you want me to learn, to take with me today, to share with others, to change?” I also thank God for encouraging me in a particular area, where I am on the “wise path”, and thanking Him for all the blessings and provisions He gives me day in and day out. I read with anticipation, eagerness, and appreciation that the Creator of everything wants to talk with me. That He cares about me, and He loves our time together.

2 Timothy 3:16 says, All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. Sometimes God gives us a warning, sometimes encouragement, and other times redirection to get us back on track.

As Hebrews 4:12 says, The word of God is living and active… God wants to talk to us. He wants to help us with our daily struggles. He wants to bring us back to the safety of the “wise path”.

I once heard a pastor at Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa say, “it’s not how often or how much of the Bible you read, but that you live out what you’ve read. Don’t just read the Bible to finish it, read the Bible to change.”

Matthew 5:13-16

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