From His Heart

[Judy Harder]

July 29, 2011     


From His Heart
     
A New Normal

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel."  Joshua 1:1-2

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 changed everything for so many people.  In the span of a few short minutes, thousands of lives were taken and cities were virtually erased from the landscape.  The pictures and videos were shocking and heartbreaking.


How do you rebuild after something like this?  How do you go on with life?  How do you resist the overwhelming temptation to just give up and die?

IT AIN'T OVER

While most of us have a hard time relating to the total devastation many of these dear people experienced (and are still experiencing), we can relate to tsunamis of a sort that hit our lives and change everything.  Perhaps your tsunami was the death of a loved one ... or the betrayal of your marriage partner ... or the termination from your job ... or the loss of your finances ... or the bad news that you have an incurable disease ... or the loss of your family (your kids got married, moved away and you see them once a year!).  What do you do when life changes on a dime without your permission? 

Surely you mourn.  There would be something terribly wrong with you if you did not mourn significant losses in life.  The children of Israel wept and mourned the death of Moses, the greatest Old Testament prophet and their leader for the previous forty years.  They intensely mourned for thirty days ... but then they ceased from their mourning.  God told them to get up and get going.  Moses was dead, but God wasn't dead.  Moses was dead, but God still had big plans and big dreams for His people.  Moses was dead, but the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey, was before them.  Moses was dead, but a great season of joy was coming into view.     

WHAT DO YOU DO?

What do you do when life changes on a dime?  You don't quit ... you get up and go on.  You recalibrate your life to a new normal.  What other choice do you have?  Curse God and die?  Turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain?  Live the rest of your days bitter, toxic and angry?  Certainly, none of those is the right path to take in the aftermath of tragedy and pain.  But going on with God is always the way.         

GOD KNOWS AND CARES

I don't know what significant loss you have faced or are facing, but God does.  He knows all about your broken heart ... and He cares – "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18).  Don't let your heart get bitter at the devastating changes that have befallen you.  Take God's counsel to heart.  Mourn sufficiently ... and then stop mourning, get up and go on with God.  There is a Promised Land awaiting all those who will "arise and cross this Jordan."  I know it is not easy to do, but He promises to be with us every step of the way.     
Love,

[Judy Harder]

A Note from Pastor Jeff about Finishing Strong

Dear Friend,

So many Christians today feel like they've messed up royally, and they feel so wicked inside. They think, "There's no way I can get back in the game for the Lord. God is finished with me."

But you know what? Despite your mistakes and mess-ups, you can finish strong. Today, God is putting His hand on your shoulder and telling you, "I'm not finished with you yet." So it's up to you to stand up and get back out on the field!

I hope that this edition of our From His Heart newsletter has encouraged you that despite your past setbacks, you can finish strong. I also hope you've been encouraged as you've seen how God is using your support to impact lives here in the U.S. and around the world.

Debbie and I are so grateful for your faithful support and friendship!

Love,
 

[Judy Harder]

August 05, 2011     


From His Heart
     
Where Is Your Treasure?

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matthew 6:19-21

Some years ago, after I had left Nalco Chemical Company to go into the ministry, I sold all my Nalco stock for approximately $38 per share.  One month later it went to $42.  UGH!  After converting it to other stocks, the bottom dropped out of the market.  (I always seem to buy high and sell low.)  I lost one third of my portfolio within no time.  When I asked my broker about it (my best friend, Mike), he said, "You should be happy, Schreve.  I have lots of other clients who have lost way more than you have."  Needless to say, that did not make me happy ... nor did it instill confidence in Mike's ability to successfully handle my investments.

The bottom line is this: the financial world is up and down (and down and down, it seems).  Stocks that are hot today can be dog meat tomorrow.  The Bible tells people, "Not ... to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17).  Riches are uncertain at best.  Does money talk?  Yes!  It says, "Goodbye."  Don't trust in money.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, regardless of the circumstances.     

TREASURE IN HEAVEN?

Where is your treasure today?  Is most of it in the bank or in the stock market or in real estate?  How much are you investing in the Kingdom of God?  Jesus said if you invest in the Kingdom and support the work of the Kingdom, your investment will pay HUGE dividends now and for all eternity.

The "now" dividend is that your heart will be free from the trappings of this world that weigh us down with worries and cares.

The "all eternity" dividend will be to see your earthly financial investment transferred into the eternal salvation of souls.

Paul said to the Philippians, "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account" (Philippians 4:17).  How would you like to start adding some heavenly profits to your account?

A TRUE STORY

A few years ago, I was talking very frankly with a wealthy friend of mine who claimed to be a Christian.  I challenged this guy to take his millions and make a difference for the Kingdom of God.  I said to him, "You are approaching the end of your life (he was nearly ninety years old).  You can leave all your wealth to your children and see them greedily fight over every dollar, or you can give generously to God's work and touch lives for all eternity."  I encouraged him to invest in heaven's bank, the only bank that ALWAYS pays a GREAT dividend.  Tragically, he chose to hold on to every last dollar ... and he left it all to his children who began fighting over it before his body was even cold.   

WILL YOU TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD?

The Lord promises a great return on investment if we invest with Him.  He promises to meet our needs if we put Him first in our lives.  Money is not God, Jesus is ... and He made it clear that you and I cannot serve God and money.

The best way I know to break your dependence on the false god of money is to give generously, consistently, and sacrificially to the Lord's work.  Remember, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  Put your treasure in heaven's bank ... and your heart will follow.   


Love,


Jeff Schreve
Pastor

[Judy Harder]

True Apologies

"If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."  Luke 17:3-4

Some years ago, I needed to get things right with a friend I had wronged.  While I felt he had also wronged me, that wasn't the issue.  I had wronged him ... and needed to seek his forgiveness.  I needed to own my wrong actions, repent of them, and humbly apologize – easier said then done.

When I finally called this person, I said something to this effect, "I was very wrong in the way I handled things and responded to you when we worked together.  I did not support you like I should have done.  I am so sorry.  Will you forgive me?"

This man readily agreed that I had wronged him and forgave me ... and our relationship was restored.

BUT WHAT ABOUT WHAT HE DID?

Did you know there was a part of me that wanted to say, "I'm so sorry for what I did ... BUT your actions surely did not help the situation either."  I so wanted to add a "but" and justify myself a little in my apology.  That's what a "but" apology does.  It tries to add a little justification for our wrong behavior.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, honey, BUT I've had a bad day" (i.e. it's not really my fault).

"I'm sorry I talked bad about you to other people, BUT you provoked me" (i.e. it's not really my fault, it's your fault).

"I'm sorry I embarrassed you, BUT remember those times you did that to me?" (i.e. you deserved it).

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN APOLOGIZING

1.   Be repentant.  Apologies mean nothing without genuine, heartfelt repentance.  If you simply mouth the words "I'm sorry" without truly being sorry, your apology is hollow and ineffectual.  God doesn't forgive us because we say some magic "I'm sorry" words.  He forgives us when we are genuinely repentant.

2.   Be specific.  General apologies mean little to nothing.  Don't say, "I'm sorry."  Rather say, "I'm sorry that I did _____________ (whatever it was)."  Specific apologies own the wrong that was done and right the wrong that was done.

3.   Don't add a "but."  When you apologize, don't try to justify your wrong behavior with a "BUT."  You cannot control what other people say and do.  You can only control you.  And if you messed up, fess up and seek forgiveness, regardless of what you perceive the other person did to provoke your actions.

Good apologizers are humble, willing to take honest inventory of their lives and actions, and willing to do what is necessary to make things right with God and others.

Bad apologizers are filled with pride and an unwillingness to admit wrongdoing.  Their theme song is, "Sin in others I can see, but praise the Lord there's none in me!"

What kind of an apologizer are you?

Love,



Jeff Schreve

[Judy Harder]

August 19, 2011   


From His Heart
     
WHEN YOU SIN BIG TIME

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Psalm 86:5

Have you ever committed a BIG, terrible sin and felt so condemned and horrible as a result? I know I have. When we get like this, it seems to take days and even weeks for the painful stench to subside. It is almost as if we are shunned by God until sufficient time has passed for Him to not be totally disgusted with us. But is that really the way God deals with His children? NO!

THE TRUTH

The Lord is not our "condemner," He is our Savior and Friend. He is "good and ready to forgive." He has a heart of love for us, EVEN when we sin HUGE sins that bring terrible devastation. Remember the prodigal had "dissed" his father something fierce. He had wasted his father's money on parties and prostitutes. He ended up in the pig sty of life, needy, broken, sin-stained, and alone. He was filthy inside and out. Yet when he repented and returned to his father, he found his father to be "good and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness." What a beautiful picture of the mercy and grace of God that is available to us when we repent!

WHAT TO DO

Let me encourage you, no matter what terrible sins you have committed, to take those sins to Jesus in humility, brokenness, and true repentance. Believe His Word. He will receive you, and lavish on you complete and total forgiveness and restoration. The consequences of your sin don't magically disappear as a result, but your heart is immediately made right with God. And that is the most important thing.

TWO MOUNTAINS

If you have BIG sins from your past that continually haunt you and bring you down, if you are struggling with guilt, shame and condemnation, go to the right place with those sins. Go to Mount Calvary.

You see, there are two great mountains in Scripture: Sinai in the Old Testament and Calvary in the New. Sinai is the mountain where Moses received the 10 Commandments. It is the mountain of Law. The Law was given to show us we are guilty before God. It was given to lead us to Christ and His grace. When you sin as a Christian, do not take your sin to Sinai. At Sinai, you will only find condemnation as the Law cries out, "SINNER!" Take your sin to Calvary, the mountain on which Christ died. At Calvary, you will find mercy, grace, and the blood of Jesus that washes white as snow.

Love,

Jeff Schreve

[Judy Harder]

August 26, 2011     

From His Heart
     
Somebody Else's Bitterness

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.  Hebrews 12:15

Did you ever see the movie, Stepmom?  It starred Ed Harris (Luke), Susan Sarandon (Jackie), and Julia Roberts (Isabel).  It was about the ugliness of divorce and remarriage, especially when children are involved.

In the story, Luke divorced his wife, Jackie, and they shared custody of their two young children.  Over time, Luke began a relationship with Isabel, a younger, more attractive woman.  Although Isabel had nothing to do with the divorce, Jackie hated her for being "the other woman" in her ex-husband's life.  She was especially mean and cruel to her.  Nothing Isabel did was ever right or met with her approval, especially when it concerned the children.

In one memorable scene, Jackie's little boy, Ben, says to his mother, "Mommy, if you want me to hate her (Isabel), I will."  He was just trying to please ... and it seemed to him that picking up his mother's hatred for Isabel would be the ticket.  Although Isabel was trying hard to be good to Ben, yet he was more than willing to hate her on behalf of his bitter, sour-spirited mommy.

HATE ON ME HATER

Did you know there are lots of people who "hate" other folks in just the same way?  Although never personally wronged by the one they "hate," they simply pick up the bitterness and hatred of their "mommy" (a.k.a. loved one) and make it their own.  They become defiled by their friend's bitterness.

The Bible warns us about bitterness.  We are NOT to become like Jackie, bitter at people who have hurt us, whether intentionally or unintentionally.  Furthermore, we are NOT to become like Ben, picking up the bitterness of loved ones and hating on their behalf.  Listen, you are NOT being a loyal friend by picking up another's bitterness.  Rather, you are spreading strife, feeding the sin, and grieving the heart of God.

THE CHURCH'S BIGGEST SIN

I firmly believe the biggest sin in the church of Jesus Christ is the sin of bitterness.  So many people in the church are bitter and unforgiving ... and they are spreading their bitterness like a communicable disease to friends and family.  UGH!

What is the answer?  Deal God's way with the bitterness that may have wormed its way into your own heart.  Bring your hurts to God and leave them with Him.  Choose to forgive those who have hurt you, whether they ask for forgiveness or not.  And be a true friend to those whom you know to be bitter.  Don't hate on their behalf.  Lovingly confront them with the truth of God's Word.  If they have legitimate issues, they are to go to the person who wronged them as outlined in Matthew 18.

So much trouble and strife could be avoided if we would just do what God says to do.  I know it is not ever easy, but it is always right.

HONESTLY ANSWER THIS

Have you picked up another's bitterness?  Drop it right now at the foot of the cross.  Pray for that one you are now bitter toward.  It is impossible to stay bitter when you are earnestly praying for God's blessings to fall upon the one who hurt you ... or hurt your loved one.

Listen, God knows the score.  He sees the evil and the good.  He is certainly big enough to take care of those who wrong others.  So trust Him and don't fall short of His grace.

Love,


Jeff Schreve

[Judy Harder]

September 02, 2011     

From His Heart
     
What Is Real Worship?

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 
Psalm 103:1

When I was a kid growing up in the sixties and seventies, I watched my share of TV on the few channels available at that time (ABC, NBC, CBS and two UHF stations that always came in a little fuzzy).  During those hours each day of TV watching (cartoons and sitcoms mostly), I remember one specific ad campaign for Coca-Cola: IT'S THE REAL THING.

Coca-Cola was not to be confused with the cheap imitation, "me too!" colas desperately vying for market share with a less expensive product.  Coca-Cola was the Real Thing!  If you were to drink a real cola that truly satisfied, you had to drink Coca-Cola.  That was the gist of the ad campaign.

THE REAL THING WITH GOD

When it comes to worshiping God, is there a real thing and an imitation?  YES!  Jesus said that there are people who worship God in vain (it is futile, empty and meaningless) because they don't worship Him from the heart with all that they are, with all that is within them.  Tragically, many people who call themselves Christians give lip service to God in worship while their hearts are a million miles away.

Does God know the difference between lip service and heart?  OF COURSE!  Even you and I know the difference between someone who is truly engaged vs. someone who is merely going through the motions.

IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM

The fall of Adam and Eve caused human beings to go from a God focus to a self focus.  That is why when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, they immediately realized they were naked.  To be sure, they were naked before they ate, but they did not know it BECAUSE their focus was not on self, it was on God.

A self-centered, "it's all about me" focus is really the root of sin.  Sin should be spelled this way:

Sin is an "I" problem.  And we have a great tendency to bring in a self-centered focus when we gather to worship God.

Newsflash: if you worship God with a self-centered focus – let's sing the songs I like, let's do things my way, let's call attention to me now – your worship is in vain.  It is a cheap imitation that amounts to nothing in God's sight.

Vain, heartless worship is what God's people were giving him in the opening chapter of the Book of Isaiah ... and God was sick and tired of it.  Hear what he had to say about it in Isaiah 1:12-14.

When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me!  As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false.  I want no more of your pious meetings.  I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! 

REAL WORSHIP

Real worship is not a Sunday morning event; it is a 24-7 loving, adoring, "all that is within me" response to the revelation of God ... worshiping Him from the depths of our heart for who He is and what He has done.

Perhaps it has been a while since you have truly worshiped.  Perhaps you have never really done it. Today can be the day for you.  It's all about Him.  We love, because He first loved us.  Let your mind and heart get lost in His love today ... and respond to Him with all that is within you.


Click to watch "The Power of the Cross"

Love,

[Judy Harder]

 September 09, 2011     


From His Heart
     
Sinking in the Storm?

But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying,
"Lord, save me!"  Matthew 14:30

Jesus sent His disciples away so He could be alone.  He put them into a boat and commanded them to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He went up the mountain to pray.

As the disciples made their way across the Sea of Galilee, a great storm arose, and the ship was being battered by the wind and the waves.  To make matters worse, it was in the darkest part of the night.  They were scared ... they were exhausted from countless hours of rowing ... they were feeling alone and abandoned because Jesus wasn't there with them.

Then, lo and behold, Jesus comes to them walking on the sea!  At first, they thought He was a ghost.  I mean, who would have thunk it?  Jesus, walking on water?  Who can walk on water?  God can.

REMEMBER THIS – WHAT THREATENS TO SWALLOW YOU UP AND GO OVER YOUR HEAD IS ALREADY UNDER HIS FEET!  HE IS IN CHARGE OF EVERY DARK STORM!

PETER

As Jesus tells the disciples that the ghost is really Him, Peter asks the Lord, "Lord, if it is really You, command me to come to You on the water."  And Jesus said to Peter, "Come!"

So Pet!  WOW!   What an amazing miracle.  Peter had His eyes on Jesus, walking on the water to Him.

And it was going great UNTIL he started looking at the wind and the waves and the stormy sea.  Once he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink and drown.

THE PROBLEM

The problem Peter had in the midst of the storm is the problem we all have – we take our eyes off Jesus and put them on our scary circumstances.  Whenever we do that, our heart of faith gives way to a heart of fear ... and we start to sink in the storm.

Are you facing a storm today?  Is it dark?  Have you been rowing a LONG time and getting nowhere fast?  Does it seem as if Jesus is nowhere to be found?  What are you to do?

Keep rowing and keep trusting ... and remember:

1.  Your Savior is praying for you (that is what he was doing on the mountain – praying for them).

2.  Your Savior will come to you at the right time.

3.  Your Savior will use the storm to bring a great miracle.

4.  You Savior will enable you to walk on water, to overcome that storm ... and you don't have to have a sinking spell if you will keep your eyes on Jesus!

Remember the immortal words of King Jehoshaphat as he faced the dark storm of certain annihilation from the vast armies surrounding Jerusalem and prayed:

"O our God, will You not judge them?  For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You"(2 Chronicles 20:12).

Keep your eyes on Jesus, my friend.  Don't focus on the storm raging around you.  God is greater than any storm, and He will bring about the victory at the proper time.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

September 16, 2011     


From His Heart
     
Are You Tempting God?

We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did—and were killed by poisonous serpents.
1 Corinthians 10:9 AMP

God's Old Testament people were slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years.  They were doing backbreaking work for Pharaoh and his kingdom.  It was awful, and they hated it.  They cried out to the Lord for deliverance ... and deliverance finally came.

God raised up Moses to lead the people out of Egypt with great might and power.  If the ten plagues were not enough, the parting of the Red Sea and drowning of the powerful Egyptian army were proof positive that God was among His people and for His people.

And God led the people out of Egypt so He could lead them in the Promised Land.  But because of unbelief, they didn't go into the land as God wanted them to.  As a result of their disobedience, they wandered in the wilderness for forty long, hot, dry years.

It was in the wilderness that the people tempted God and tried His great patience.  Can you imagine?

They were impatient with the trials of the wilderness wanderings and spoke against God and Moses in frustration and anger, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food [manna]" (Numbers 21:5).

The people grumbled, griped, complained and tried God's patience ... and, in response, God sent fiery serpents that bit and killed many of the grumblers.  YIKES!  Paul told the Corinthians to watch out that they did not fall into the same sin of tempting the Lord ... and suffer the same killer consequences.

ARE WE GUILTY?

As I thought through this idea of becoming critical of the Lord and the way He does things in my life, I was convicted.  How often do I get impatient with God because things aren't going the way I want them to go... and doors are not opening fast enough ... and God is not doing what I want Him to do.  How easy it is for me to grumble, gripe and complain in the Lord's hearing.  May God have mercy!

Perhaps today you are frustrated with the Lord.  Perhaps you are getting impatient with your journey and are beginning to critically appraise the Lord and His will and sovereign work in your life.  Perhaps you are taking God to task for His apparent tardiness in answering your prayer or opening that door of opportunity.  Be careful!  The Bible makes it clear that it is a BIG sin to try the Lord's patience.  The children of Israel did it and died.

WAIT ON THE LORD

A good friend of mine shared a passage with me the other day from Psalm 27,"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD" (Psalm 27:13-14).

My friend, God knows what He is doing.  He is good to us even when He has us wander in the wilderness.  So, make it your practice to:

1.  Praise Him for the trials and the difficulty of the journey.  He loves it when we choose to praise Him and thank Him, even when times are tough.

2.  Trust Him to bring His goodness to you in due time.  He has a wonderful plan for your life.  You will see the goodness of it if you don't grow weary and crumble in despair and unbelief.

3.  Wait on Him.  He does not work on your timetable, He works on His.  Rest assured while you wait that He really is at work, even when it appears nothing is happening.

May we recognize those times when we are trying the Lord's patience and immediately seek His forgiveness.  May we walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that our Promised Land will come about in His perfect timing.

Love,

Jeff Schreve
Pastor

jeff@fromhisheart.org
1-877-777-6171

[Judy Harder]

September 23, 2011   

From His Heart
     
What to do When You're Tempted

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.   Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
James 1:14-15

Have you ever gone on a diet?  Let me tell you from personal experience, it is no fun.  The first three letters of the word explain it best: D-I-E.  A diet is dying to yourself and what you want to eat in the hopes of losing weight.

For me, a low carb/no carb diet has proven effective.  The only problem is that within a day – sometimes hours – I start craving carbs.  Pizza, chips and queso, desserts and other carb taboos start calling my name: "Hey, Jeff ... just take a little bite.  It won't hurt you.  After all, you are not THAT fat.  Come on, Jeff.  You know you want to."

Have you ever had temptation do that to you?  Have you ever had temptation call your name to get you to indulge the flesh or delight the eyes or build the ego?  If you are like the rest of us humans, the answer is yes.  We are tempted to lust, lie, cheat, steal, brag, hate, gossip, slander, etc.  Temptation is an inescapable part of the human condition.

THE TEMPTER IS AT WORK

The devil is called "the tempter" in Matthew 4:3.  Like a master fisherman, he loves to dangle the delicious, "forbidden" bait before our eyes.  To be sure, the forbidden bait looks so good and so satisfying – just as it did to Eve.  But, if you bite, you find the bait has a hook in it.  The sweet pleasure of illicit sex quickly fades as the painful hook of guilt, shame, disease or an unwanted pregnancy come into being.

Every temptation has a hidden hook in it.  The devil is not your friend who wants to bring happiness and fulfillment to your life.  He comes only to steal, kill and destroy.  Anything he offers will eventually wreck and ruin your life.  Like the unsuspecting fish, we will enjoy the bait for a short time, and then find ourselves hooked and cooked, gutted and grilled.  And it's true every time.

HOW TO BE VICTORIOUS?

How can you and I have victory over those things that tempt us so?

1.  Remember that God loves you and wants what is best for you.  When God gives us commandments, they are always for our benefit.  Every NO command is God's way of saying, "Don't do that because that will hurt you."

We told our kids, "NO!" to putting their hand on the stove because we knew they would burn themselves.  We love our kids and gave them rules and commandments to help them, not hurt them.  God does the same thing with His kids.

Disobedience is a step in the wrong direction.  It will not bring lasting satisfaction, only lasting pain, sorrow and regret.  If you doubt that, just ask Tiger Woods.

2.  Remember that God's ways are right in every situation.  Psalm 119:128 is a KEY verse to remember when fighting temptation: "Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way."  The devil tells us that this "forbidden fruit" will make us happy.  What a lie!  It will really make us miserable.  Like eating a huge helping of Cotton Candy at the fair, taking the devil's bait will taste good for the moment, but as your stomach aches and your life begins to fall apart, you will wish you could go back in time.

Listen to me, my friend: God's ways are right EVERY SINGLE TIME!  You will never go wrong obeying Him.  Every time you are tempted, recognize there is a hook there in that temptation and remind yourself that God's ways are right.  God's ways bring lasting peace, joy and happiness.

3.  Depend upon the Lord's power to help you escape.  1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "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, that you may be able to endure it."  What is the way of escape?

When you are tempted with the sins of the flesh – lust, laziness, overeating – the way of escape is accountability and a hard run.  Flee immorality.  Don't fight it, flee it.  It is too strong to fight.  If you are on a diet, don't go to an all-you-can-eat pizza place and say, "I'll just have a salad."  That will never work.  And get an accountability partner who will help you and pray for you.

When you are tempted with sins of the soul – greed, fame, revenge and getting more and more – the way of escape is to exercise faith (see 1 John 5:4).  God is the One who satisfies, not fame, fortune, or a pound of flesh.

When tempted with the sins of the spirit – direct attacks from the enemy who will tell you that God doesn't love you anymore, that God is finished with you and will not answer your prayer, and that you need to curse God and die – the way of escape is to fight!  "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:6).  Fight the devil's lies with the sharp sword of the truth of the Word of God.  God's promises thwart the lies of the enemy.

Victory over temptation can be yours as you trust Him, do what He says, and fill your heart with His love and grace. 

Love,

Jeff Schreve
Pastor