Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
The Scriptures instruct us to honor the Lord from our wealth. “Wealth” has a very different connotation these days, doesn’t it? But indeed, we are wealthy: in material things – food, shelter, clothing, “stuff” – and in love, forgiveness and grace!
All that we have is God’s. He has given it to us, and as this hymn says, it is a trust from Him. When we give to Him from our wealth, we are giving Him His own. Giving of our wealth also shows that we trust Him to provide for all our needs.
As we receive His blessings, we must also be good stewards of them. I believe that honoring the Lord from my wealth not only means giving back to God through my tithes and offerings, but showing my gratefulness for His blessings through how I spend the money He has given me. Honoring the Lord from my wealth means that I don’t spend more than I have, and that I don’t waste what I have been given. (Full disclaimer here: as usual, I am in no means perfect in this regard. But as I long to be less like the world and more like Jesus, I am striving to examine more closely the habits in my life that make me more accustomed to this world, instead of less.)
God uses what we give to accomplish His will in the world. Could He do it without our gifts? Indeed. But He chooses to use our gifts to involve us in His work, locally and globally. Our gifts from our wealth support bringing back the lambs who have strayed from the fold, tending the lone and fatherless, releasing captives and bringing the news of the Gospel to those who are lost. When we honor the Lord from our wealth, we prove that we believe His word.
But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. 1 Chronicles 29:14
We Give Thee but Thine Own
Words by William W. How
We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we Thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as Thou blessest us,
To Thee our firstfruits give.
O hearts are bruised and dead,
And homes are bare and cold,
And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled
Are straying from the fold.
To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
Is angels’ work below.
The captive to release,
To God the lost to bring,
To teach the way of life and peace—
It is a Christ-like thing.
And we believe Thy Word,
Though dim our faith may be;
Whate’er for Thine we do,
O Lord,We do it unto Thee.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Though Troubles Assail Us
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
In these troubling times, it is easy to be overcome with worry. If you watch the news, or read the headlines, each day seems to bring more bad tidings, worse than the day before. John Newton greatly encourages us in this hymn, with the resounding refrain, “The Lord will provide.”
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
God’s promise in the scripture assures us – He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. First, He promises to provide for all our needs, not all our wants. But second, He will supply them according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Those riches are unending, pouring over in the storehouses of heaven.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, reminds us that we have no reason to be worried. As God’s children, we are worth more to Him than the birds of the air, and He feeds them, without them even working for it!
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:25-26
Jesus teaches us that we do not need to be worried about things like our next meal or what clothes we will wear because our Heavenly Father KNOWS that we need all these things. Further, worrying does us no good!
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:27-32
Because He knows we need them, He desires to give them to us. Even more than our earthly fathers desire to give us good gifts, our Heavenly Father wants to give us what is good!
Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:9-11
God’s provision for us applies to much more than food and clothing, though. He gives us courage, grace, power, comfort, protection, security, and of course, forgiveness through the blood of His son, Jesus Christ.
We need not fear or doubt in death or in life – Christ is on our side, and He will provide!
Though Troubles Assail Us
Words by John Newton
Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”
The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;
From them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied
So long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”
When Satan assails us to stop up our path,
And courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart cheering promise, “The Lord will provide.”
He tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we never shall obtain,
But when such suggestions, our graces have tried,
This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”
No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;
Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name,
In this our strong tower for safety we hide:
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”
When life sinks apace, and death is in view,
The word of His grace shall comfort us through,
Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”
In these troubling times, it is easy to be overcome with worry. If you watch the news, or read the headlines, each day seems to bring more bad tidings, worse than the day before. John Newton greatly encourages us in this hymn, with the resounding refrain, “The Lord will provide.”
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
God’s promise in the scripture assures us – He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. First, He promises to provide for all our needs, not all our wants. But second, He will supply them according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Those riches are unending, pouring over in the storehouses of heaven.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, reminds us that we have no reason to be worried. As God’s children, we are worth more to Him than the birds of the air, and He feeds them, without them even working for it!
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:25-26
Jesus teaches us that we do not need to be worried about things like our next meal or what clothes we will wear because our Heavenly Father KNOWS that we need all these things. Further, worrying does us no good!
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:27-32
Because He knows we need them, He desires to give them to us. Even more than our earthly fathers desire to give us good gifts, our Heavenly Father wants to give us what is good!
Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:9-11
God’s provision for us applies to much more than food and clothing, though. He gives us courage, grace, power, comfort, protection, security, and of course, forgiveness through the blood of His son, Jesus Christ.
We need not fear or doubt in death or in life – Christ is on our side, and He will provide!
Though Troubles Assail Us
Words by John Newton
Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”
The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;
From them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied
So long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”
When Satan assails us to stop up our path,
And courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart cheering promise, “The Lord will provide.”
He tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we never shall obtain,
But when such suggestions, our graces have tried,
This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”
No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;
Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name,
In this our strong tower for safety we hide:
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”
When life sinks apace, and death is in view,
The word of His grace shall comfort us through,
Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”
Monday, February 9, 2009
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Saturday, February 7, 2009
So Let Our Lips and Lives Express
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. I Timothy 4:12
As a believer, it is my goal that my speech, actions, behaviors - indeed, my life - all show that I belong to Christ, and that He lives in me. I try to live my life so that others would have no question that I am a believer. (As a sinner, I am not always successful, mind you.)
We are reminded through the Scripture that living this way is God's will for us. Because of Christ's saving work, we have escaped the corruption in this world, and are now partakers of the divine nature. Peter instructs us in what we must do, and how these qualities in our lives enable us to bear fruit.
For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. II Peter 1:4-11
Did you catch what he says? Those who lack these qualities (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, brotherly kindness, love) are short sighted because they have forgotten their purification from former sins! Christ died to set us free from the corruption in this world, and so we must act in a way that is different from the world! Isaac Watts said it so eloquently in this hymn, "when salvation reigns within, and grace subdues the power to sin." Salvation has come through the grace of God, and it has instructed us in how to act.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 2:11-15
We must deny our flesh - putting aside pride, envy, passion, lust, and all the other things our flesh would have us desire - and look to the Holy Spirit to guide us in being an example of good deeds. Paul reminds us that when our actions and speech are beyond reproach, the opponent will be put to shame!
In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8
These requirements cannot possibly be met without the assistance of God the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Christ lives in me, and so I CAN live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age. My flesh wants to act in a different way, but my flesh has been crucified with Christ. I now live by faith in the Son, and Christ lives in me!
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Dear Father, how I want my lips and life to express the Gospel that I profess. I pray you would guide and direct me so that through my speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, others will know that I am Yours, and You live in me. Amen
So Let Our Lips and Lives Express
Words by Isaac Watts
So let our lips and lives express
The holy Gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.
Thus shall we best proclaim abroad
The honors of our Savior God,
When the salvation reigns within,
And grace subdues the power of sin.
Our flesh and sense must be denied,
Passion and envy, lust and pride;
While justice, temperance, truth, and love,
Our inward piety approve.
Religion bears our spirits up,
While we expect that blessed hope,
The bright appearance of the Lord,
And faith stands leaning on His Word.
As a believer, it is my goal that my speech, actions, behaviors - indeed, my life - all show that I belong to Christ, and that He lives in me. I try to live my life so that others would have no question that I am a believer. (As a sinner, I am not always successful, mind you.)
We are reminded through the Scripture that living this way is God's will for us. Because of Christ's saving work, we have escaped the corruption in this world, and are now partakers of the divine nature. Peter instructs us in what we must do, and how these qualities in our lives enable us to bear fruit.
For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. II Peter 1:4-11
Did you catch what he says? Those who lack these qualities (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, brotherly kindness, love) are short sighted because they have forgotten their purification from former sins! Christ died to set us free from the corruption in this world, and so we must act in a way that is different from the world! Isaac Watts said it so eloquently in this hymn, "when salvation reigns within, and grace subdues the power to sin." Salvation has come through the grace of God, and it has instructed us in how to act.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 2:11-15
We must deny our flesh - putting aside pride, envy, passion, lust, and all the other things our flesh would have us desire - and look to the Holy Spirit to guide us in being an example of good deeds. Paul reminds us that when our actions and speech are beyond reproach, the opponent will be put to shame!
In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8
These requirements cannot possibly be met without the assistance of God the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Christ lives in me, and so I CAN live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age. My flesh wants to act in a different way, but my flesh has been crucified with Christ. I now live by faith in the Son, and Christ lives in me!
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Dear Father, how I want my lips and life to express the Gospel that I profess. I pray you would guide and direct me so that through my speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, others will know that I am Yours, and You live in me. Amen
So Let Our Lips and Lives Express
Words by Isaac Watts
So let our lips and lives express
The holy Gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.
Thus shall we best proclaim abroad
The honors of our Savior God,
When the salvation reigns within,
And grace subdues the power of sin.
Our flesh and sense must be denied,
Passion and envy, lust and pride;
While justice, temperance, truth, and love,
Our inward piety approve.
Religion bears our spirits up,
While we expect that blessed hope,
The bright appearance of the Lord,
And faith stands leaning on His Word.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Kind and Merciful God
All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:6
I've been thinking a lot about not yielding to temptation. For a few days, I was thinking, "I do a pretty good job of that." And then the Spirit of God spoke to me, and brought me back to reality. I was thinking in terms of "big" sins and "big" temptations like the story of Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar. But the Lord showed me that I had been giving in to the temptation to
I've been thinking a lot about not yielding to temptation. For a few days, I was thinking, "I do a pretty good job of that." And then the Spirit of God spoke to me, and brought me back to reality. I was thinking in terms of "big" sins and "big" temptations like the story of Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar. But the Lord showed me that I had been giving in to the temptation to
- gossip
- think of myself before others
- be critical
- show disdain
- be prideful
- be right
The devil is tricky - and he can make us believe whatever he wants, if we let him. He tells us lies like "it's ok to talk about this with others, they are concerned, it's good to get it off your chest." The fact remains that it's still gossip, and it's still a sin. And we have a choice. We can choose not to sin. As a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you, and He gives you the power to not sin.
It's at times like these, when I'm confronted with my sin, that this hymn comes to mind. Meditate on the words of this hymn, and ask God to show you where you are not living up to His standard. Confess your sins, and praise Him for the forgiveness you have through Jesus' death at Calvary. Thank Him for His transforming power in your life.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
Kind and Merciful God
Words by Bryan Jeffrey Leech
Kind and merciful God, we have sinned in Your sight,
We have all wandered far from Your way;
We have followed desire, we have failed to aspire
To the virtue we ought to display.
Kind and merciful God, we’ve neglected Your Word
And the truth that would guide us aright;
We have lived in the shade of the dark we have made,
When you willed us to walk in the light.
Kind and merciful God, we have broken Your laws
And in conduct have veered from the norm;
We have dreamed of the good, but the good that we could
We have frequently failed to perform.
Kind and merciful God in Christ's death on the cross
You provided a cleansing from sin;
Speak the words that forgive that hence-forth we may live
By the might of your Spirit within.
Kind and merciful God, bid us lift up our heads
And command us to rise from our knees;
May our hearts now be changed and no longer estranged,
Through the power of Your pardon and peace.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Yield Not to Temptation
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. I Thess 5:21-22
I like this hymn's directive: look to Jesus when we are faced with temptation. Paul reminds us that we are to keep our eyes on Jesus; it is surely the best way to fight off the lure of earthly things we should not be involved in.
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2
When we are faced with temptation, we must ask the Savior to help us. He wants us to call on Him, and He has promised to uphold us, strengthen us, protect us and provide a way out from our temptation and trials.
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. II Thess. 3:3
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13
In addition to looking to Jesus, we must stay alert and guard our flesh from the devil and his wiles.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
I Peter 5:8
Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt 26:41
When we are victorious in not yielding to temptation, each experience will strengthen us for the next trial or temptation. We know that we will face temptations every day, even every hour! As sinful people living in a fallen world, we can be guaranteed that temptations will cross our path constantly - especially when they are the temptations in our own hearts and minds to sin! But when we subdue our passions and look to Jesus and do as He has commanded, He will carry us through and renew our strength.
A great example of this is Joseph, the coat-of-many-colors Joseph. When his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites, they in turn sold him to Potiphar, the captain of the bodyguard, an officer in Pharoah's Egyptian regime. The Lord made Joseph very successful in his work for Potiphar. Potiphar recognized that the Lord was with Joseph and he promoted him to the head of his household, making him the overseer, and putting him in charge of everything he owned. The Lord blessed Potiphar's house on account of Joseph: his house, his field and everything he owned. So Potiphar didn't give a second guess to anything. In fact, the Bible tells us that he only thought about the food he was going to eat!
The Bible also tells us that Joseph was a very handsome man. One day, Potiphar's wife decided she wanted to become more acquainted with Joseph - she looked with desire at him, and invited him to lie with her. Joseph rightly refused.
But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?" Genesis 38:8-9
But Mrs. Potiphar was persistent - day after day she spoke to Joseph and requested that he lie with her. And day after day he refused. Then one day he was working and there were no other men in the house. She got a hold of his outer garment, and pleaded "come lie with me!" But Joseph did not yield to temptation - he ran out of the house, leaving Mrs. Potiphar still clutching his coat.
You probably know this story, and you know that Mrs. Potiphar didn't like getting her own way. She convinced the other men of the household that Joseph tried to seduce HER, and that when she screamed, he ran, and left his coat as "proof." When she recounted her "story" to her husband, he was obviously incensed, and sent Joseph to jail.
Joseph had done the right thing - he had looked to God, and he knew that God was faithful. He didn't give in to his fleshly desires, but he did what was right. So now he's in jail, but even there, the Scriptures tell us that God was with him, and made him prosper. And of all things, the chief jailer put Joseph IN CHARGE! A prisoner himself, he was made to supervise all his fellow prisoners! Soon he interpreted some dreams for his fellow prisoners, which led to him (several years later) interpreting dreams for Pharaoh himself! As a result of this, he was made a leader in Egypt, and given rule and authority over Pharaoh's house!
I could write and talk about this story all day, but the point I want to make is this: Joseph obeyed God. When he was tempted by Mrs. Potiphar, he didn't give in. His victory in that situation enabled him to be victorious in others. Of course, the experience in Potiphar's house wasn't the last of his temptations or trials, but he remained faithful to the Lord, and the Lord remained faithful to Joseph, even reuniting him with his family that had sold him into slavery in the first place.
Through his faith he conquered, and the Savior renewed his strength. Joseph looked to God, and He carried him through. May we remember, when we are tempted and tried, to look ever to Jesus and ask him to help us.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Yield Not to Temptation
Words by Horatio Palmer
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Refrain
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s Name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown;
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He Who is our Savior our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
I like this hymn's directive: look to Jesus when we are faced with temptation. Paul reminds us that we are to keep our eyes on Jesus; it is surely the best way to fight off the lure of earthly things we should not be involved in.
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2
When we are faced with temptation, we must ask the Savior to help us. He wants us to call on Him, and He has promised to uphold us, strengthen us, protect us and provide a way out from our temptation and trials.
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. II Thess. 3:3
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13
In addition to looking to Jesus, we must stay alert and guard our flesh from the devil and his wiles.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
I Peter 5:8
Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt 26:41
When we are victorious in not yielding to temptation, each experience will strengthen us for the next trial or temptation. We know that we will face temptations every day, even every hour! As sinful people living in a fallen world, we can be guaranteed that temptations will cross our path constantly - especially when they are the temptations in our own hearts and minds to sin! But when we subdue our passions and look to Jesus and do as He has commanded, He will carry us through and renew our strength.
A great example of this is Joseph, the coat-of-many-colors Joseph. When his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites, they in turn sold him to Potiphar, the captain of the bodyguard, an officer in Pharoah's Egyptian regime. The Lord made Joseph very successful in his work for Potiphar. Potiphar recognized that the Lord was with Joseph and he promoted him to the head of his household, making him the overseer, and putting him in charge of everything he owned. The Lord blessed Potiphar's house on account of Joseph: his house, his field and everything he owned. So Potiphar didn't give a second guess to anything. In fact, the Bible tells us that he only thought about the food he was going to eat!
The Bible also tells us that Joseph was a very handsome man. One day, Potiphar's wife decided she wanted to become more acquainted with Joseph - she looked with desire at him, and invited him to lie with her. Joseph rightly refused.
But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?" Genesis 38:8-9
But Mrs. Potiphar was persistent - day after day she spoke to Joseph and requested that he lie with her. And day after day he refused. Then one day he was working and there were no other men in the house. She got a hold of his outer garment, and pleaded "come lie with me!" But Joseph did not yield to temptation - he ran out of the house, leaving Mrs. Potiphar still clutching his coat.
You probably know this story, and you know that Mrs. Potiphar didn't like getting her own way. She convinced the other men of the household that Joseph tried to seduce HER, and that when she screamed, he ran, and left his coat as "proof." When she recounted her "story" to her husband, he was obviously incensed, and sent Joseph to jail.
Joseph had done the right thing - he had looked to God, and he knew that God was faithful. He didn't give in to his fleshly desires, but he did what was right. So now he's in jail, but even there, the Scriptures tell us that God was with him, and made him prosper. And of all things, the chief jailer put Joseph IN CHARGE! A prisoner himself, he was made to supervise all his fellow prisoners! Soon he interpreted some dreams for his fellow prisoners, which led to him (several years later) interpreting dreams for Pharaoh himself! As a result of this, he was made a leader in Egypt, and given rule and authority over Pharaoh's house!
I could write and talk about this story all day, but the point I want to make is this: Joseph obeyed God. When he was tempted by Mrs. Potiphar, he didn't give in. His victory in that situation enabled him to be victorious in others. Of course, the experience in Potiphar's house wasn't the last of his temptations or trials, but he remained faithful to the Lord, and the Lord remained faithful to Joseph, even reuniting him with his family that had sold him into slavery in the first place.
Through his faith he conquered, and the Savior renewed his strength. Joseph looked to God, and He carried him through. May we remember, when we are tempted and tried, to look ever to Jesus and ask him to help us.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Yield Not to Temptation
Words by Horatio Palmer
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Refrain
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s Name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown;
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He Who is our Savior our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
To You, O Lord, I Fly
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. Psalm 16:7
As I was thinking about going to the Lord instead of to other people for counsel, I was reminded of the story of King Asa in II Chronicles. Asa was a king of Judah, and soon after he became king, he and the people built towers, walls and gates around their city. Under Asa’s leadership, the people sought the Lord, and He prospered them on every side. He had a large army – more than half a million strong, and they were valiant warriors. However, they were no match for the Ethiopians who came out against Judah with a million men and 300 chariots. So what did Asa do? He cried out to the Lord.
Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." II Chron. 14:11
The Lord heard his cry and responded.
So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the LORD and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder. They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem. II Chron. 14:12-15
After this, a prophet came to King Asa and warned him about being committed to the Lord.
Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress. But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work." II Chron. 15:1-7
Asa listened to the prophet, and he removed all the idols from Judah. He restored the altar of the Lord, and then he gathered all the people together. They sacrificed to the Lord and then they vowed to serve Him with all their heart and soul.
They entered into the covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. Moreover, they made an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and with horns. All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. II Chron. 15:12-15
At this point, things are going well for Asa and his kingdom. He is doing what is right, seeking and serving the Lord, and the Lord is giving them rest, and keeping them from war. But, you guessed it, things are about to turn. For Asa forgets, at least momentarily, how the Lord provided when he was up against the Ethiopians, and he forgets, at least momentarily, the warning of the prophet.
For in the 36th year of Asa’s reign, the King of Israel comes up against King Asa. Asa doesn’t cry out to the Lord as he did when the Ethiopians had approached. Instead, he makes a very different decision. He made a treaty with the King of Aram, asking him to revoke his treaty with the King of Israel, so that Israel’s king would back down. The King of Aram agrees, and the King of Israel backs down. But Asa will pay for that decision.
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars." II Chron. 16:7-9
How often do we do the same thing? We fail to remember what God has done in our past, and instead rely on people around us. We, just like King Asa, have the God of the Universe to call to! He listens and He responds! We must fly to Him and on His help depend. His counsel guides aright. We cannot always say that about the human counsel that we depend on – for humans are sinners, and do not see or know what the Lord knows.
I resolve to keep before me the Lord whom I have proved.
I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
To You, O Lord, I Fly
Words from The Psalter
To You, O Lord, I fly
And on Your help depend;
You are my Lord and King most high;
Great God, my soul defend.
A heritage for me
Jehovah will remain;
My portion rich and full is He,
My right He will maintain.
The lot to me that fell
Is beautiful and fair;
The heritage in which I dwell
Is good beyond compare.
I praise the Lord above
Whose counsel guides aright;
My heart instructs me in His love
In seasons of the night.
I keep before me still
The Lord whom I have proved;
At my right hand He guards from ill,
And I shall not be moved.
Life’s pathway You will show,
To Your right hand will guide,
Where streams of pleasure ever flow,
And boundless joys abide.
As I was thinking about going to the Lord instead of to other people for counsel, I was reminded of the story of King Asa in II Chronicles. Asa was a king of Judah, and soon after he became king, he and the people built towers, walls and gates around their city. Under Asa’s leadership, the people sought the Lord, and He prospered them on every side. He had a large army – more than half a million strong, and they were valiant warriors. However, they were no match for the Ethiopians who came out against Judah with a million men and 300 chariots. So what did Asa do? He cried out to the Lord.
Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." II Chron. 14:11
The Lord heard his cry and responded.
So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the LORD and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder. They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem. II Chron. 14:12-15
After this, a prophet came to King Asa and warned him about being committed to the Lord.
Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress. But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work." II Chron. 15:1-7
Asa listened to the prophet, and he removed all the idols from Judah. He restored the altar of the Lord, and then he gathered all the people together. They sacrificed to the Lord and then they vowed to serve Him with all their heart and soul.
They entered into the covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. Moreover, they made an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and with horns. All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. II Chron. 15:12-15
At this point, things are going well for Asa and his kingdom. He is doing what is right, seeking and serving the Lord, and the Lord is giving them rest, and keeping them from war. But, you guessed it, things are about to turn. For Asa forgets, at least momentarily, how the Lord provided when he was up against the Ethiopians, and he forgets, at least momentarily, the warning of the prophet.
For in the 36th year of Asa’s reign, the King of Israel comes up against King Asa. Asa doesn’t cry out to the Lord as he did when the Ethiopians had approached. Instead, he makes a very different decision. He made a treaty with the King of Aram, asking him to revoke his treaty with the King of Israel, so that Israel’s king would back down. The King of Aram agrees, and the King of Israel backs down. But Asa will pay for that decision.
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars." II Chron. 16:7-9
How often do we do the same thing? We fail to remember what God has done in our past, and instead rely on people around us. We, just like King Asa, have the God of the Universe to call to! He listens and He responds! We must fly to Him and on His help depend. His counsel guides aright. We cannot always say that about the human counsel that we depend on – for humans are sinners, and do not see or know what the Lord knows.
I resolve to keep before me the Lord whom I have proved.
I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
To You, O Lord, I Fly
Words from The Psalter
To You, O Lord, I fly
And on Your help depend;
You are my Lord and King most high;
Great God, my soul defend.
A heritage for me
Jehovah will remain;
My portion rich and full is He,
My right He will maintain.
The lot to me that fell
Is beautiful and fair;
The heritage in which I dwell
Is good beyond compare.
I praise the Lord above
Whose counsel guides aright;
My heart instructs me in His love
In seasons of the night.
I keep before me still
The Lord whom I have proved;
At my right hand He guards from ill,
And I shall not be moved.
Life’s pathway You will show,
To Your right hand will guide,
Where streams of pleasure ever flow,
And boundless joys abide.
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