- Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...
Hi, Coffee Hour friends, so glad you could take a few moments of your time to join me. Grab your favorite beverage and journal and let’s see what God’s word has for us today.
Trials and temptations knock at our hearts and surround us. Temptations set in, hoping we’ll feel the pressure. Tough times come right after a moment of joy or even after small victories. There have been times I have tossed and turned at night, wondering how these things work their way into our thoughts, into our dreams.
It starts to feel like we’re in a batting cage struggling to hit the balls being fired at us. It gets exhausting. How easy it is for iniquity to sneak in. In fact, and for the most part, it can be pretty blatant!! And right there… right in that moment… that’s where the spiritual battle begins. It’s in that exact moment that keeping faith means everything. Can I believe God? Or should I believe what I see based on the day to day world? There’s that moment of choice. And often we have to go against everything that feels natural within us to choose what is good.
Temptation is an inward solicitation resulting from an outward test and life can be full of them. Yet our victory starts with understanding the means by which temptation comes. It comes through the trials and tests of life. Let me simply remind you that when things aren't going the way you want them to in life and you're facing a test that is the means by which temptation comes to you, learn to watch how you respond to it.
How awesome to know we have a way of escape. Just as we would prepare for a plan of escape from a fire in our home, we too have a plan of escape spiritually when the tempter comes to tempt us! We need to know what to do in order not to be engulfed with temptation. You say, "But how do you do that?” The key’s as simple as it may seem yet powerful in itself: meditating on the Word of God! Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You".
Temptation’s come in all variances of influence; however, Paul reassures us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
The promise of that verse encourages my heart. NO temptation is overpowering. Satan is not so powerful: demons are not so effective or subtle; the flesh is not so weak, and the human heart is not so deceived that we are necessarily a victim of temptation. In this verse there are some principles that rise to the top. If we can understand them, we can understand the path of our triumph.
When the test comes, turn to the Word, turn to your Father in prayer (Matthew 6:9-13.) When the test comes, retain your faith and accept that God has a purpose and we must trust God for that purpose. When the test comes, take up the shield of faith. That means to trust God no matter how fast and furious the fiery darts may be coming at you. And when the test comes, look to Christ the faithful high priest who will encourage, support and develop you through the test and temptation. (Hebrews 4:15)
Romans 5: 1-5 simply sums it up for us as believers; that faith triumphs in trouble…distress… anxiety… and temptation…because His word produces perseverance, character; and character, hope
Remember, that it’s not just one day a week when we take dominion over iniquity, temptations and tests; it’s every day! Know where your feet are walking and you’ll discover no trouble!!
Have a sweet weekend….. and remember to keep Him close to your heart!
Love, Deb
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