Tag Archives: temptation

One of 2 things…

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Plans change. Sounds like life, doesn’t it?

If you read my post form last Tuesday, you would not be expecting any new content today.

Plans change.

Here is a link for last week so you can catch up. Summer break!

My original plan was to not post anything new until September. I wanted to focus more on a novel I am trying to write.

Plans change.

A thought came to mind while I was reading a book. I try to do this on a regular basis.

The book is entitled 33 A.D. It is the second of two in a series.

Ted Dekker, the author, blends the life of Jesus into a fictional story. I am almost done with the second book. They are really engaging and thought-provoking.

There are no spoilers here just some praise for a good read.

There is one section that describes the scene at the Garden of Gethsemane. The night before the crucifixion, Jesus and his disciples go to the garden after the last supper.

Two things take place.

  1. Jesus wept. (Luke 22)

Jesus went to God with his pain, concern, anxiety, and troubles. He knew that he was destined to be killed.

But his flesh did not want it to happen. After all, he was fully human as well as fully God.

2. Peter slept. (Luke 22)

He was tired. Maybe he was trying to stay awake but he failed. We know that later that night, he denied Jesus.

His flesh was also pulling on his mind. And he yielded to it.

When we choose to be like Jesus, we become adept at getting through trials.

If we behave like Peter, we stay inept while being tempted.

Isn’t it nice how those four words rhyme?

Jesus wept and in doing so, became adept at overcoming temptation.

Peter slept and in doing so, was inept to fighting the temptation.

We all have Gethsemane moments in our lives. Sometimes daily.

One of 2 things is happening: sleeping or weeping.

Which one are you doing?

H.E.L.P.

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Do you remember this movie?

Image result for walle

It was a Pixar movie that came out in 2008. Here is a link to Pixar’s website about the movie.

I put this one in my top 5 animated movies of all time.

But it was not until I had watched it several times that I realized the name, Wall-E, was an acrostic.

A quote from Pixar’s website proclaims, “WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is the last robot left on Earth, programmed to clean up the planet, one trash cube at a time. However, after 700 years, he’s developed one little glitch…”

I want to share another acrostic with you. H.E.L.P.

As in, God has help available for you and I but it comes in various forms. I took the liberty to use the word HELP and made an acrostic.

Last week’s post, Consider the Source, will give more context as to why I am writing about help.

I would recommend reading that one so what follows will make more sense. Click here.

When God helps us, He does not always use the same methods. If you read the Old Testament, God was super-creative in how He would spare the children of Israel.

For us, that same supernatural creativity has not been exhausted.

The first Help He gives is the Holy Spirit.

Here is verse 7 from John 16: “7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” NIV

Let’s focus on that word, Advocate. If we look a little deeper, we can get a grasp on its meaning.

In a broad sense, think helper, aide, or assistant. The Holy Spirit would replace Jesus. It was his role to lead the apostles (and us-by extension) into a deeper knowledge of God and His truth, and also to provide divine strength when undergoing temptations or persecution.

Trials and tribulations were never meant to be removed but endured. God would not allow us to go up against something alone. He knew we are only frail humans.

But with His help, the Holy Spirit, we can be over-comers! Romans 8 gives us that title.

Volumes upon volumes have been written about the Holy Spirit. Various doctrines center around the third person of the Trinity.

I am not writing on behalf of a specific church or denomination.

I am trying to interpret God’s Word accurately.

And if I am correct, which, by the way, I am confident that I am, the Holy Spirit is right beside me every step along this journey of life.

He is also right by your side.

Let’s continue to walk in stride with Him.

H – Holy Spirit

E –

L –

P –

Call on Him today and enjoy this first Help of God. Good night!

Trials and Chocolate

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They come in all shapes and sizes.

Their names are different.

Some are strong; others are weak.

Minutes, hours, or days can be the duration.

Each person reacts differently to varying types.

To what am I referring?

questioning

Trial. Storms. Temptations. Sufferings. Tests. Hardships. What do you call them?

Peter gives some timely words for us.

Here is verse 6:

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” I Peter 1:6, NIV

Here are my thoughts on Peter’s words.

  1. Trials are diverse. Chocolate might be a weak spot for me but french fries will get my wife every time. We have different trials that affect us.
  2. Trials are distracting. If I am looking at the chocolate, I might miss the meal.
  3. Trials are dividing. I say chocolate is good. My wife likes potato chips better. We are divided on the topic of dessert.
  4. Trials are depleting. My money goes to buy more chocolate. Will I have enough for a regular dinner?
  5. Trials are depressing. What if I eat too much chocolate?

You get the point. And, by the way, chocolate is not that bad for you.

But why are we talking about trials? Didn’t we just get through a few verses of a fantastic inheritance set aside for us?

The answer is, “Yes!” We do have an inheritance. Read my last post to find out more on this topic.

Look at verse 6 again, from earlier. “…for a little while…”

We are not there yet.

We are in a trial period.

trial period

And we can celebrate in the suffering.

We can have joy in the journey.

We can smile in the storm.

We can be happy in the hardship.

We can rejoice (greatly!) during the rain.

Why? Because God is bigger than the trials. He reigns supreme over the hardships.

Out faith will come out like gold when all is done!

gold

And that will be the topic of my next post, Gold bars!

But for now, look to God if you are in a trial. He will see you through it.

And help yourself to a chocolate bar.