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With the temptations that are coming before God's people these days, it is
very important that every believer continually examines themselves to make
sure their life is pleasing to the Lord. We need to remember that the
enemy is very subtle when it comes to leading people astray from their
faith. The devil will not come and try to tempt us to completely leave or
abandon our relationship with the Lord with one huge lie, but will come
ever so slightly and try to plant seeds of doing things that are dishonest,
immoral and displeasing to the Lord. The devil hates every Born-again
believer and will try to attack them even more so than the unsaved people
of the world. It is for this reason that we are to gird ourselves up as
the Bible says and stand strong in the face of the enemy.
(Jeremiah 1:16-18) (Ephesians 6:10-14)
If temptations have been coming your way lately, I want you to know it is
because the devil knows how powerful you are for Christ and he wishes
nothing more than to lead you astray so that you won't be effective for the
cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. I encourage you to stand strong and know
that your life has great meaning and your testimony of being faithful to
the Lord will be greatly used to minister to those who are not committed
in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:10-12) (Matthew 5:16)
I hope you are strengthened and encouraged by today's message.
PAYDAY IS COMING
Sometimes as Christians we are called to give up certain things in life
because of our beliefs. For one girl it may be choosing to obey her
parent's wishes and missing the prom. For another, it may be not wearing
certain clothes her friends find faddish and chic; for still another boy
it may mean not getting his driver's license for a few months to help out
on the insurance costs so Christian school tuition can be paid.
I'm sure most Christian teenagers have been asked not to attend an event;
not to read a certain book; not to watch a popular television show by
parents who have deep convictions in regard to these matters. Have you
ever been asked to "give up something" for the cause of Christ? Sometimes
it does cost us to follow Christ. It may be a relationship our 'mentors'
think is not right for us. It may be an event or activity that is
questionable in nature. It might be a video game left unpurchased, or a
movie title left unrented. Sometimes the sacrifice may seem quite small;
while other times it is a 'once-in-a-lifetime' event, the sacrifice may
seem too big to bear.
We are not all asked to be martyrs for our faith. Some missionaries are.
Some teenagers are. Yet, we can all take comfort in the Scriptures that
tell us our reward will be 100 times greater than any sacrifice we have
had to make. No matter what we are asked to give up for the cause of
Christ, our reward will compensate us a hundred-fold. That would be an
excellent return on stocks on Wall Street. How much better to lay up
your 'treasures' in heaven where they really count.
By James Hileman
Take this message as an encouragement to never give up in your convictions
of doing right when everyone around you seems to be doing wrong. The people
who are led astray didn't think their simple acts of sin would lead them
down the wrong path, but thought "there's no harm in it because everyone
else is doing it." This is a lie that comes straight from the pits of hell.
God says in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…" We
are to be aware of the enemy's evil devices and renew our minds with the
Word of God and realize that doing right not only is pleasing to the Lord,
but will also help to preserve our life now while we are on the earth.
(Romans 12:1-5) (James 1:15) (1 Corinthians 10:12-14)
Encourage yourself in the Lord. Stand strong in your faith and remember
to speak forth the scriptures of authority in the face of temptation. The
Lord promises to make a way out when temptations come our way so trust the
Lord and know that your strength is made perfect in Him. (James 1:19-25)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Revelation 12:10-12 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is
come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of
His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused
them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of
the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their
lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in
them."
James 1:13-17 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man
is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when
lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and
every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…"
Ephesians 6:10-14 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…"
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem120.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: JESUS IS ENOUGH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony197.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
