DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 6.4.16

Tempted? Ask God for Help - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org

 

And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. -Matthew 6:13

 

It's amazing how we can be so quick to condemn what someone else has done yet rationalize compromised behavior in our own lives. The interesting thing about temptation is that it is, well, tempting.

 

Jesus said we should pray, "Don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). In this prayer we are asking God to guide us so we will not get out of His will and unnecessarily place ourselves in the way of temptation. We're saying, "Lord, don't let us be tempted above our capacity to resist."

 

He won't, of course, because the Bible says, "God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Yet sometimes those so-called gray areas come along, and we wonder whether it's okay for a Christian to do certain things. Here's a little litmus test to apply when that happens. First, pray about it and bring it into the clear light of the presence of God. If you can't pray about something you're about to do and say "hallowed be Your name" over it, then don't do it.

 

Second, ask yourself, "How would this look if another Christian were doing this?" Would it look wrong? Would it have what the Bible describes as the appearance of evil? If so, then don't do it.

 

Third, pray that you won't fall into temptation. You can't go through life without temptation, but you can pray, "Lord, don't let me foolishly put myself unnecessarily in the way of going astray."

 

You can appeal to God to place a guard over your eyes, ears, mouths, feet, and hands and what you say and hear and do.

 

 

There is No Such Thing as a Perfect Decision
LYSA TERKEURST

�In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.� Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)

When I was working on my book The Best Yes, I surveyed people through Twitter and Facebook with this question: What do you think is the biggest reason people struggle to make decisions?
Overwhelmingly, fear was the answer.
�Fear of the unknown
�Fear of failure
�Fear of getting hurt
�Fear of what others will think
�Fear of rejection
�Fear of missing out on something better
�Fear of making the wrong decision
I absolutely understand all these fears. I wrestle with them myself. And some wrestling with fear is good. It can keep us from making poor choices. For example, my kids� fear of being restricted often keeps them from missing curfews.
That kind of wrestling with fear is good. But other times I still feel like I�m wrestling with fear to the point where I�m paralyzed from moving forward.
Do you have a decision to make right now where uncertainty is making you feel stuck?
I often suffer from �analysis paralysis� trying to figure out which choice is the perfect decision. And if I can�t discern the perfect choice I feel paralyzed.
Here�s a thought that keeps me from staying stuck: There is no such thing as a perfect decision.
Perfection is an illusion.
Are there good choices and bad choices? Yes, of course. But at this point in my life, I�m not getting tripped up as much in the good versus the bad decisions.
More often now, I find myself stuck between a good choice and another good choice, trying to figure out which one is perfect.
Should I let my girls take dance lessons they would love but that would require us to eat on the run? Or tell them no so we can have family dinners at home? Good and good.
Should I teach that Bible study every Tuesday night at church or be at home to help my kids with their homework? Good and good.
Should my 20-year-old daughter go on a date with the guy from our church or just keep things between them on a friendship level? Good and good.
What about bigger good and good things?
Should I go on a mission trip or to a marriage conference? Good and good.
Should I quit my job to start that ministry I keep talking about or bring more of a ministry-heart into my existing job? Good and good.
These good and good decisions happen every day. But here�s a secret answer you must know when trying to pick the perfect choice: There is no choice that will turn out perfectly in every way.
As long as you desire to please God with your decisions, no decision you make will be completely awful. Nor will any decision you make be completely awesome.
Every decision is a package deal of parts awful and awesome.
In other words, since there is no perfect choice, I don�t have to be paralyzed by the fear that I�m not making the exact right decision.
Again, I want to please God with this decision. Our key verse, Proverbs 3:6, promises that He will make our paths straight if we acknowledge Him in all we do. So I also want to demonstrate my trust in Him by actually making a decision � having made peace with the fact it won�t all be perfect.
There is no perfect job.
There is no perfect school.
There is no perfect spouse.
There is no perfect church.
There is no perfect way to raise kids.
There is no perfect decision.
Each of these choices will have just enough imperfections to make them some combination of good and not so good.
So here�s where the certainty is: My imperfections will never override God�s promises. God�s promises are not dependent on my ability to always choose well, but rather on His ability to use well.
Dear Lord, I trust You beyond any fear I have of making the wrong decision. Today, I hand over all my uncertainties to You. In Jesus� Name, Amen.

  What Stops Prayer Cold - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org

 

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." -Isaiah 59:2

 

Sidlow Baxter said, "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers."

 

What a privilege prayer is. But one thing that can stop prayer cold is unconfessed sin. In Isaiah 59:2 God says, "your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

 

As we receive God's forgiveness, we need to forgive others. Jesus said, "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).

 

There are some people you can't reconcile with, no matter how hard you try. There will come a point where you have done what you can do. There will come a time when you say, "I tried. I did what Jesus told me to do. I went to that person and tried to resolve it, but they refused."

 

The Bible says, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). Guess what? It isn't always possible. Some people just don't want to be at peace. But at least you tried. You can come back to your Heavenly Father and say, "I apologized. I sought to clear the air."

 

But what about when someone has hurt you? Forgive them. When you hold all that unforgiveness inside, it eats you up. Refusing to forgive someone is like drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die. When you don't forgive, you're poisoned with a root of bitterness. Let it go. Forgive as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

 God�s Compass for the Heart and Mind
Proverbs 3:7-12
Yesterday we discussed the importance of depending on the Word of God as our compass throughout life. Following the Lord�s directions will change behavior and challenge our thinking, attitudes, and desires. He leads us to think differently about ourselves, our values, and and even the difficulties facing us.
We naturally want to determine our own course in life.It seems like the only logical way to get where we want to go. But being wise in our own eyes is pride. To combat this tendency, the Lord instructs us to fear Him and turn away from evil (v. 7). This �fear� is not a horrified dread of the Father, but an attitude of respect that motivates us to obey Him for both our good and His glory.
We naturally want to keep our money for ourselves. A desire for a better lifestyle or fear of not having enough leads us to hang onto everything we get. But our compass directs us to honor God by giving Him the first part of all we have, trusting Him to provide for our needs (vv. 9-10).
We naturally hate God�s discipline. His painful reproofs seem to prove that He doesn�t care about us. But our heavenly Father says His discipline is the evidence that confirms His love and delight in us as His children (vv. 11-12).
Sometimes in our desire to follow the Lord, we focus on obedient actions�doing what He says�but miss His directions concerning our attitudes and thought patterns. To stay on God�s path for our lives, we must make course corrections not only in our behavior but also in our hearts and minds.
How to Handle Praise
Proverbs 27:21
How do you respond when someone compliments you? Some people absolutely love receiving praise because it lifts their spirits and makes them feel valuable. Others are uncomfortable with it. They look down at their feet or offer reasons why they really don't deserve such praise.
For Christians, there's another dilemma. We're called to be humble, so what are we to do when others say good things about us? Because pride is always waiting to raise its ugly head, we need to be careful not to let praise puff us up. Some believers think that accepting a compliment is a sign of pride, so they make a big show of giving all the glory to God. That's fine, if it's really what's in their hearts, but too often it becomes a rote "Christian" response that's geared to impressing others.
My advice is simply to say, "Thank you very much." Then whisper a prayer in your heart to the Lord, thanking Him for the blessing, recognizing that anything worthy of praise ultimately comes from Him. If you felt encouraged, let the person know how the comment blessed you. If you receive praise for an achievement that was really a group effort, be sure to redirect the compliment to all those who were involved. A blessing is always more enjoyable when it's shared.

Our character is tested by the praise that comes to us. Every compliment that bounces into our ears should quickly rebound up to the Father. If we hold onto it, the poison of pride will begin to infect our hearts. But if we pass the praise to God, humility takes up residence in our souls.
Responding to Accusation
Luke 12:11-12
When conflict occurs, the natural reaction is to blame someone else and defend yourself. But believers must respond differently. Once, I was publicly chastised for a wrong I had not committed. Thankfully, the Lord enabled me to remain calm rather than react angrily. Praying first is always the best response in a crisis. When we do, God supernaturally provides that which we can't muster up ourselves.

• Spiritual discernment. The Lord, who perfectly understands the source of every problem, can give us insight beyond our limited perspective. Perhaps there's been a communication breakdown, a feeling of jealousy on the other person's part, or a mistake we unknowingly made. The Holy Spirit can show us how to approach our accuser and see beyond hurtful words or actions.
• A quiet spirit. Our human nature wants to react quickly so that we can defend ourselves. That's why we must first deliberately focus our attention on the Lord and experience the inward peace He alone makes available to us (John 14:27).
• Wisdom. Jesus told His disciples the Holy Spirit would give them wise words to say when they faced hostile authorities. He'll do the same for you. Ask Him to put a seal on your lips until He shows you what to say and when (Ps. 141:3).

We don't have to react to criticism with anger and self-protection the way the world does. Instead, we are called to represent Christ in every situation by depending on Him. In responding as He directs, we bring Him glory and cause unbelievers to want to know the source of our strength.
The Dangers of False Teaching
Galatians 1:6-9
The Word of God is truth that's living and able to penetrate human souls (Heb. 4:12). Consider how powerful Scripture is: it can change hearts, save lives from eternal condemnation, and give hope to the hopeless.
Is it any wonder, then, that the Bible is a battlefield of Satan? The Devil will do his best to destroy its message and truth. In fact, this has been our Enemy's continuous goal since he chose to turn from God.
Our heavenly Father has graciously let us know in advance the outcome of this ongoing battle: Truth will prevail. But while the Lord has the ultimate victory, Satan can gain ground among individuals. His tactics are dangerous and deceptive to the unsuspecting. For this reason, we should carefully guard against his attacks, which are hard to recognize unless we are prepared.
False teaching is one of Satan's preferred tactics for leading us astray. At first glance, such instruction often seems to align with Scripture, but do not be misled by the deception. Two things are essential for standing firm against these slippery falsehoods: to be well grounded in the truth of God's Word and to listen to His Spirit. Only then can we recognize the error and avoid the pitfalls of Satan's lies.

The Enemy longs to mislead believers so they'll be ineffective for the kingdom. He also wants to keep all unsaved souls far from salvation through Jesus Christ. Friends, prepare for battle. Grow in the knowledge of truth, and lean on God's Spirit to guide you moment by moment.

The Secret Things �The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.� (Deuteronomy 29:29)   This portion of Scripture follows a lengthy restatement of the covenant of God with His people, Israel. In this chapter, Moses reminded the people of the works that God had wrought on their behalf in their deliverance from Pharaoh, in His provision for them in the wilderness, and in His protection on the battlefield (vv. 2-8).   In this final address, he encouraged them to �keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do� (v. 9), and stated the various blessings that would be theirs if they would do so. Lastly, he described, in graphic and burning words, the results of breaking the covenant and incurring the judgment of God (vv. 18-27). �And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day� (v. 28).   In recognition of the limitations of humankind, Moses wrote in our text that there are certain things known only to God, which He has veiled�things which cannot be understood by the human mind�things which He simply chooses to keep to Himself. But he goes on to say that He has revealed certain things to us, and these things we must obey. Consequently, our text consists of a great principle of life: We must do what we know to do. We don�t know everything, but we must act responsibly and properly on that which He has told us, leaving the �secret things� and their consequences to God. Elsewhere, He promises that even the secret things will �work together for good to them that love God� (Romans 8:28)�in His sovereign plan. We must obey, doing what we know to do, and leave the results with Him. JDM

Stunted Growth in Carnal Christians
�And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.� (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

 

The apostle Paul here makes a clear distinction between �spiritual� Christians, controlled and led by the Holy Spirit, and �carnal� Christians, still controlled by the desires of the flesh. A carnal Christian is a baby Christian. Baby Christians are a cause of great rejoicing when they are newborn believers, just like baby people. But if they remain babies indefinitely, they become an annoyance to hear and a tragedy to behold.

 

Each born-again believer needs urgently to �grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ� (2 Peter 3:18). That spiritual growth comes only through study of the Word, accompanied by belief and obedience. First there must be �the sincere [or �logical�] milk of the word� (1 Peter 2:2), but that is good only for the first stages of growth. �For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil� (Hebrews 5:13-14). Scripture encourages us to grow to maturity and then to continue growing.

 

Carnal Christians are not necessarily pseudo-Christians, although they should examine themselves to determine whether their profession of faith in Christ is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5), but they should not be content to remain spiritual babes. Every Christian should be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah: �Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts� (Jeremiah 15:16). HMM
The Secret of the Lord
�The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.� (Psalm 25:14)

 

This is an amazing promise. The word for �secret� means the �inner counsel,� evidently of the triune God Himself.

 

But how can those who fear the Lord really know the secret counsels of the Godhead? The answer can only be by divine revelation to God�s prophets. Thus, the prophet Amos affirms: �Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but [unless] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets� (Amos 3:7).

 

When these ancient promises were given, however, much of God�s revelation, though already �settled in heaven� (Psalm 119:89), was still not revealed to men. Then Christ came and promised His disciples, �The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost . . . shall teach you all things� (John 14:26).

 

�God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son� (Hebrews 1:1-2). In addition to the 12 disciples, God then also called the apostle Paul, and through these men the Son would convey to those who fear Him all the rest of His revelation. �By revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (. . . Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit� (Ephesians 3:3-5).

 

Finally, �the secret of the LORD� was completed in written form by John, the last of the apostles, with nothing else to be either added or deleted (Revelation 22:18-19), that �the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets� (Revelation 10:7). All we shall ever need to know of God�s eternal counsels is now available to all who desire to know, in the Holy Scriptures. HMM

 Marital Problems
�And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.� (Colossians 3:17)

 

Marriage has always had a high place�a high calling. In the beginning, God�s stated purpose in marriage was to propagate children (Genesis 1:28) and to eliminate solitude (2:18). Such a state was deemed �very good� (1:31). But sin entered through Adam�s rebellion, and the universal Curse resulted. Out of this came a new marital relationship, one full of potential problems, for �he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee� (3:16). It is safe to say that the many excesses on both sides of a marriage that we see today are the legacy of sin.

 

Not only is marriage affected by the Curse, Satan himself delights in destroying marriage. Immediately after the Curse, we see that he introduced numerous practices that are detrimental to a proper marriage. The ungodly lineage of Cain began to practice polygamy (4:19). Later, Noah�s son, Ham, indulged in sexual thoughts and innuendoes (9:22). Even godly Abram participated in an extramarital affair that, even though not specifically condemned, was harmful to his marriage (16:1-3).

 

Soon after this, we read about all sorts of immorality, including homosexuality in Sodom and Gomorrah (19:1-10); fornication, rape, marriage to unbelievers (34:1-2); the practice of incest (35:22; 38:13-18); prostitution (38:24); and seduction (39:7-12).

 

What is the solution for this age-long attack on the family? We must heed the guidelines given in Scripture for a godly marriage. Passages such as those surrounding our text are well worth our study. JDM

 

Man Must Repent
�As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.� (Romans 3:10-11)

 

From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator in the Garden, humanity has attempted to deflect conscious acceptance of guilt. Adam blamed God because �the woman� was given to him by the Creator. Eve blamed the serpent�and you and I have continued that reaction ever since.

 

That is precisely why repentance is a requirement for salvation. When Adam rebelled, the relationship between man and God was destroyed: �By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation� and �by one man�s disobedience many were made sinners� (Romans 5:18-19). All men have �no hope, and [are] without God in the world� (Ephesians 2:12).

 

The death that entered the world because of Adam (Romans 5:12) not only introduced physical death into the entire creation (Romans 8:22) but a spiritual separation from the life of God, as well, that eliminated the possibility of our comprehending God�s nature. �But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned� (1 Corinthians 2:14). For millennia God bore man�s ignorance of what God was going to do through Christ Jesus at Calvary by faith in the promise of the coming �Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world� (John 1:29). �And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent� (Acts 17:30).

 

Each of us must change our mind and admit we are sinful and desperately need God�s gracious forgiveness, praying, �God be merciful to me a sinner� (Luke 18:13). HMM III