Category: Prayer

Posted on

Give Sin an Inch, and it will Become the Ruler

 I missed a few days. I was out of the area on a trip with my wife. Glad to be back, and in a good routine again.

__________________________________________________________

I would love it if you would sign-up for the RSS feed to this site. It helps the site move up in the Google Search Rankings. If you haven’t already, please sign-up now. Just click in the icon right after the title.

___________________________________________________________

Today’s free excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,”  is about thinking that one sin won’t hurt us too much. The truth is that it is just a stepping stone to big problems.

__________________________________________________________

The book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, or the many other usual suspects.

There is a special sale going on right now, for this book, in the bookstore. You can go up to the top of this page, and click on “Bookstore,” to see the special deal. There is a $6.00 savings right now.

_________________________________________________________

 

Chapter 38

 

Give Sin an Inch, and It Will Become the Ruler

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

The boy had been a loyal member of his church, and he loved the Lord. One day he was with some of his school buddies, who offered him some marijuana. He said no. His friends said he should try it just once—it won’t hurt him. They told him people even use it for medicinal purposes. He decided it wouldn’t hurt just to try it once to impress his friends.

To shorten this story, in many cases, this young man goes on to try more marijuana and eventually experiments with much more dangerous drugs. He may also need to find ways to get the money he needs to keep his habit going. The story could end with his eternal death if he never has a close encounter with God along the way.

It is so easy to give in and just try one sin—just “one little one.” But one sin leads to another, and another, and another!

Inch by inch, anything can happen. We can be closer to the Lord, inch by inch, if we take a little time each day to read the Bible. If we also take time and pray to Him for strength, we’ll be much less prone to wander away from Him.

It’s sort of like lifting weights to get in shape. If we spend just twenty minutes a day working out, we will be in very good shape. Watch our diet as well and we’ll be healthy. We’ll be spiritually healthy if we spend time each day with the Lord, getting nourished by His Word and exercising our spiritual muscles in prayer.

Instead of giving sin an inch, our desire needs to be to “inch” toward what should be the most important goal in our lives: to be strong in our love for the Lord and to be in spiritual shape Him.

No one can say they are in perfect spiritual shape—not even the “best” Christian you know—at least, not this side of heaven. There will always be times when we have sinful desires. There will always be temptation. But we can make wise choices by avoiding unnecessary temptations. (Sort of like not stocking the cupboards with cookies and candy when you want to cut back on calories.) 

As long as we are in our earthly bodies, we will wrestle with Satan, who is fighting to control us. He lost ground when we accepted God’s salvation and he wants that territory back!

When we allow God to renew our minds because we constantly think about Him and His Word, our minds will eventually be renewed with the truth. However, it is a lifelong process—not a one-time, done deal.

Galatians5:16says, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Notice it doesn’t say the desires aren’t there. It doesn’t say they will go away. We will always be battling the desires of our body—even as a believer. Even though Satan may be battling even harder to regain his lost turf, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit inside us to do battle with us.

To walk in the Spirit, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to protect us 24/7. He is always there to comfort and give us strength.

Don’t let Satan have an inch. Measure (sorry for the pun) each thing you do and don’t lengthen (I did it again) your time spent in sin.

 

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jeremiah 6:16

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

 

Further Adventures

We see it in the news all the time: People who seemed wonderful to those around them have gone in the wrong direction. We hear so many times of a high school student everyone thought “had it all together” who takes his own life and/or the lives of others around him.

Use this to realize that it is so easy to “slide” away from reality—and into sin—without those around you aware of it. Stay with God; He will keep you on track.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how it’s not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight; it’s those who obey the law that will be declared righteous?

Posted on

I will do Anything to Move up the Ladder of Success

I want to thank those who have been signing up for the RSS feed to this site. It helps us grow according to the Google Search Rankings.  If you haven’t already signed up, please do so now. Just click on the icon right after the title.

__________________________________________________________

I will be sharing another excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly world,” in a minute. But first I want to let you know that the book is on sale right now on this site. In the retail stores, this book is $19.99, but on this site only it is $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page to check it out.

This book reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

__________________________________________________________

Today’s excerpt talks about how some of us will do anything to move ahead in the world, even if it means stepping on someone’s toe along the way to do it.

__________________________________________________________

Chapter 37

 

For Sale by Owner

 

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

 

As some people go through their lives they often plow through their days acting as if they are the king or queen. Have you sometimes wanted to let others know how important you are? Have you looked down on those who may not live up to your standards? Do you get depressed when things don’t go exactly as you want them to? (Come on! Be honest now.)

This thinking often leads to doing things that may be very unethical. What can I do to better myself—no matter what the cost? How can I move ahead in the world?

These thoughts may lead to a “tiny little sin”—maybe just telling a fib about someone, hoping it will spread to others. Soon the little fib has grown into a full-blown lie and the person you lied about suffers because of what you said.

After you have done this and gotten away with it, you decide to take another giant step and plant some damaging information about another employee where everyone can see it. Again the person is given a hard time by the rest of his or her coworkers, and the person you maligned leaves.

Now you’re on a roll! There are only a couple more people in your way, and then you are at the top.

This is probably about someone else, or is it? Have you done something similar to this? Is your climbing the ladder so important that you find ways to advance?

This is playing on Satan’s team—the Hell-Bound Desperados! The prince of darkness is whispering in your ear. He is telling you that hurting others to advance yourself is done by everyone else. Why shouldn’t you do it too?

Here are some other thoughts Satan may be whispering in your ear:

“Go get success at any price.”  However God says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew6:33).

“Seek riches at any cost!” God says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20).

“If it feels so good, do it.” But God says, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 2:42). 1

Doing the evil it takes to advance yourself is like having a big sign on your chest that says, “For sale by owner.” (And the fine print will read: “Sold to the highest bidder.”) This is saying you’re willing to give up your soul to get the prize. You are letting Satan know that your soul can be used by him. You may get ahead in life, but your behind will be sitting in a very hot climate in death.

This all sounds pretty harsh for just telling a few lies so you can step over your fellow workers and advance. But if you feel your life is so important that no one can stand in your way, I have some “Death Valley” property in mind for you that has plenty of heat year-round. There aren’t any lemonade stands to cool you down either.

Are you thirsty for fame, power and material things? You will die of thirst. Those things are like water from the ocean. They don’t quench your thirst; they kill.

You need to hang a new sign on your chest that says, “Under construction.” God is never through letting us grow. We will always be tested. We are always faced with trials. The sign that is selling your soul to get ahead does not need to control your life. Get a scissors and cut that sign off your chest right now!

 

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives

false testimony against his neighbor.

Proverbs 25:18

 

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ,

who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

Acts 3:19–20 (emphasis mine)

 

(I had to end this with something positive to quench your thirst from all the heat you just read about!)

 

Further Adventures

Everything I said in this chapter probably will never happen in your life. You know what is right and wrong. You know that stepping on others is not the way to try to get ahead. Rising up the ladder of success, no matter what you have to do, is not part of your thinking. Right?????

 

Something to Ponder

Posted on

Loved the Wedding; Invite Me to the Marriage-God

Thank you so much for signing up for the RSS feed to this site. It helps us move up on the Google Search Rankings. If you haven’t already,  please sign-up today, by clicking on the icon right after the title.

________________________________________________________

The book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, is available in our bookstore now. This books reaches out to those who may suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

In the retail stores it sells for $19.99, but on this site it is only $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

_______________________________________________________

I am sharing with you an actual excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” This excerpt talks about what we do after we have our weddings. Do we leave God in our lives, or do we wing it on our own?

_________________________________________________________

Chapter 36

 

Loved the Wedding; Invite Me to the Marriage

—God

 

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:33

 

For the past several decades, weddings have been held in churches. That is a good place to start a life together. The minister talks about loving each other and establishing a Christian home. All things seem to be in place.

It is always a beautiful thing to observe—two people holding hands and making vows of everlasting love. The mothers of the bride and groom have tears in their eyes. Some dads wonder when the ceremony will end. The newly married couple can’t wait to head out on their honeymoon. The reception is a real celebration. Everyone is happy, and the day ends.

Then what? The next day is a new day, and it is the first day of a young couple’s new life together. Decisions have to be made together. They go everywhere together. They are now a team that will last forever.

Eventually the scene changes a little. Both spouses find they need some time alone, but they’re afraid to say so. Resentment can build and they may feel like the walls are closing in on them.

It’s sort of like going to church on Sunday—and then there is Monday. What do you do then? What do you do with what the pastor said in the sermon? How do you make it practical—something you can use all week?

Often the message is soon forgotten, and nothing happens to make Monday any different. We sit and listen to the advice and sermon points on Sunday, sometimes even nodding our agreement, and then we ignore them on Monday.

The advice and promises that are part of the marriage ceremony are vital to the ongoing relationship with a spouse. But during the actual ceremony the bride and groom aren’t listening to the advice. Instead, they’re trying to remember the words they have to say, or they’re worrying about their hair or how they look or if there will be enough food for the guests.

They go into their life together, winging it, flying with no parachute. Marriage does not have to be an on-the-job training situation.

Does this ring a bell? Do you remember your wedding day? Was it all about listening to the advice the minister gave you, or was it about making sure you sliced the wedding cake just right? Maybe it was making sure the photographer took one more picture.

We’ve all been there. It is an exciting, wonderful, important, stressful, nerve-racking day. It is the day we dream of all our lives, and we want to have all the memories forever.

But as you go on with your lives together, what happens next? Is the same spark there five years later? How about ten years later? We are supposed to still love when the wrinkles come and the fire is not as hot.

Have you agreed on how plans should work out, or have you agreed to disagree?

Getting married is one of the most important decisions we make in our lives. If we plan to live a lifetime together with our spouse, shouldn’t we talk to a minister ahead of time? Wouldn’t it be good to seek out what God has in mind? Marriage counseling to learn more about a future spouse would also be in order.

These things may seem obvious, but you would be amazed how many people do not do any of those things. Some feel it is more fun to run off toRenoto get married. Others decide to live together and not even get married.

God loves for us to be happy and have companionship, within the context of His will. He believes in marriage. That is why He wants us to make sure we’re making the right choices.

Running off and getting married on a whim is like putting all our life’s earnings on a blackjack table and hoping to get a 21. The chances of that happening are slim and none.

I agree that a marriage often does work out in spite of the odds. All I have been saying is pretty harsh, but just like putting all our money on a blackjack table, theRenoodds of a successful marriage are pretty dim too. Does a 50% chance seem acceptable for you? Some surveys say that as many as 50% of marriages fail when they do not have a foundation of premarital counseling that includes having plans for the future in place.

God needs a prominent place in our marriages. We need to let Him be our advisor as we plan for the future. He needs to have a special rent-free place in our hearts. No bargaining. No yearly leases. He needs to be a year-round, full-time resident, helping marriage partners live a life full of love and understanding for each other.

There should always be three people in a marriage: you, your spouse and God. The three of you make an unbeatable team.

 

Marriage should be honored by all.

Hebrews 13:4

Further Adventures

“Will you still love me? Will you still need me, when I’m 65?” That song rings in my ears many times when I look at my bride. She has been with me through the storms and the good times. Do we have nothing but beautiful rainbows every day? That would be backwards, wouldn’t it? You need a little rain to bring on the rainbow.

That is what a marriage is like. You have days when you laugh and have fun with your spouse, but there are other days when you have been hurt by that same spouse. You feel unwanted and dejected. That is when you should buckle down and really work hard at your marriage.

Your spouse is not your enemy. She may be angry at the moment, but she still loves you, and by sitting down and discussing the hurts and dejections you feel, the rainbow will come out again. The key is to still love your spouse with all your heart—even when she is 65 and her age is starting to show.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how much easier it is to forgive than to hold a grudge?