Monday, December 25, 2006
Look for the Open Door
Have you had someone hold a door open for you lately? It sure feels nice, doesn't it? You probably walked right through while saying a polite 'thank you,' and maybe you even smiled. How would it feel if you held a door open for someone, but they just looked at you and said "no thanks, I'll take this other door." Maybe they don't even notice you holding a door open for them. Maybe they completely ignore you.
Did you know Jesus wants to hold the door open for you when you are facing any temptation, including the temptation to overindulge your appetite? Paul reminds us of this in Corinthians.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV.
Jesus is ready to show us the way to resist the temptation. He can help us get away. He will open the door and show us the way out of temptation. I'm sad to say I didn't look for the door during our family gathering this Christmas. The spread of food before me included so many treats, cookies, candies, pies, I was mesmerized by it all and gave into the temptation to overindulge. Looking back, I know that Jesus was there ready to hold the door open for me, ready to show me the way out of the temptation. He held the door open, but I didn't look for it.
When faced with temptation, we must look for the open door Jesus is providing. He opens the door, but he does not shove us through it. He has given us the gift of choice, and He won't take that away.
As I head into the new year, I'm resolving to look more often for the door Jesus is holding open when I'm tempted to eat too much junk food, or lose my patience, or any other temptation. My prayer is that I will always look for and take the door He is holding open. His ways are so much better than my ways.
How about you? In 2007, will you look for the open door with me?
Did you know Jesus wants to hold the door open for you when you are facing any temptation, including the temptation to overindulge your appetite? Paul reminds us of this in Corinthians.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV.
Jesus is ready to show us the way to resist the temptation. He can help us get away. He will open the door and show us the way out of temptation. I'm sad to say I didn't look for the door during our family gathering this Christmas. The spread of food before me included so many treats, cookies, candies, pies, I was mesmerized by it all and gave into the temptation to overindulge. Looking back, I know that Jesus was there ready to hold the door open for me, ready to show me the way out of the temptation. He held the door open, but I didn't look for it.
When faced with temptation, we must look for the open door Jesus is providing. He opens the door, but he does not shove us through it. He has given us the gift of choice, and He won't take that away.
As I head into the new year, I'm resolving to look more often for the door Jesus is holding open when I'm tempted to eat too much junk food, or lose my patience, or any other temptation. My prayer is that I will always look for and take the door He is holding open. His ways are so much better than my ways.
How about you? In 2007, will you look for the open door with me?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Add Length to Life
In your quest for good health, to enjoy a long happy life, you might focus on eating well and exercising regularly. Proverbs tells us about another way you can prolong your life.
"The fear of the LORD adds length to life (Proverbs 10:27)."
I encourage you as you head into a new year to keep fearing the loving the Lord, following His ways, trusting in Him, worshiping Him, and acknowledging Him as your salvation. He will bring life and health to you as you continue to give Him the glory in all you do.
"The fear of the LORD adds length to life (Proverbs 10:27)."
I encourage you as you head into a new year to keep fearing the loving the Lord, following His ways, trusting in Him, worshiping Him, and acknowledging Him as your salvation. He will bring life and health to you as you continue to give Him the glory in all you do.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Instructions for Life on Earth
As Christians, we look forward to heaven, but for a short time, we must live here on earth. We are citizens of God's kingdom, just passing through this world. No wonder I feel so odd, so different sometimes from the world around me. I'm an alien, a stranger in this world, living on this earth for a short while on my way to a heavenly destination. While here, our lives will not pattern the rest of the world. Instead, our lives should clearly reflect the will of God. In Titus, we find instructions for how to do this.
Titus 2:1-8
"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
Notice a theme of self control for all people. I have the "be busy at home" down. No problem there. But in all other areas I still need work. We can use the Armor of God to practice and gain more self control over appetite and all areas of our lives.
When Satan shoots arrows at me trying to get me to lose my self control, I will hold up my shield of faith. I will pray and call upon the Lord to help me be strong while living my short life here on earth.
Titus 2:1-8
"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
Notice a theme of self control for all people. I have the "be busy at home" down. No problem there. But in all other areas I still need work. We can use the Armor of God to practice and gain more self control over appetite and all areas of our lives.
When Satan shoots arrows at me trying to get me to lose my self control, I will hold up my shield of faith. I will pray and call upon the Lord to help me be strong while living my short life here on earth.
