Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human.

Not to be tempted would mean that we were already so shameful that we would be beneath contempt.

A person’s inner nature, what he possesses in the inner, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation, because temptation will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling, inner nature.

God does not save us from temptations— He sustains us in the midst of them

We see like children, and when we try to be wise we see nothing (see Matthew 11:25)

What do we need the Lord for if we already know what will happen?

We are in the best position to grow closer to God when we are experiencing the perceived worst of circumstances.

Sometimes he just needs to get our attention so he is able to bless us beyond our greatest expectations.

Just listen. Be still. And if the message doesn’t come through today, he may be saying, “Not yet. There is more I want to show you.

We can never fight against sin— Jesus Christ conquered that in His redemption of us.

The conflict is waged over turning our natural life into a spiritual life. This is never done easily, nor does God intend that it be so. It is accomplished only through a series of moral choices.

God does not make us holy in the sense that He makes our character holy. He makes us holy in the sense that He has made us innocent before Him. And then we have to turn that innocence into holy character through the moral choices we make.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

In our changing world, we can always depend on our unchanging God.

Faithful Father, thank You for Your love that never changes! Help me to love You by serving You faithfully today.

Lord, thank You for teaching me not to discriminate among people. Help me to see people through Your eyes so that I may honor You.

He is Father, sending His Son to redeem us, then sending His Spirit to remain with us. And yet they are connected together in a unified whole from eternity past to eternity future.

The human race has invested massive amounts of time and money, with some astronauts even sacrificing their lives, to study the immensity of the universe. Yet the evidence of God’s majesty stretches far beyond what we can measure.

The Maker of the heavens and the earth reigns above all, yet He remains near all His beloved children, caring for each intimately and personally. (Psalm 8:4)

Our Creator invites us to seek Him with passion and persistence. He hears every prayer and song of praise flowing from our lips.

Have you taken whatever it may be, even at the risk of damaging your own soul, simply to satisfy yourself? If you have, then you cannot pour it out “to the Lord.” You can never set apart for God something that you desire for yourself to achieve your own satisfaction.

We can trust the Lord to be our strength in tough times.

“Why must I experience suffering?” “Why is my journey difficult?”

He would act justly but in His timing.

Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure.

Never forget in the light what you learn in the darkness.

Discovering Christianity Week 1

Man and woman were created to be God's image with the purpose of representing Him on Earth.

Stone idols can never represent God - only we, ourselves, are His image, made to represent Him!

A self made man has seriously limited his life. Self can’t take you where God intends you to go. – Brian Houston

Our only hope for being rescued is acknowledging and trusting Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

Psalms 46:1.God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Hearing and obeying Jesus gives our lives a strong foundation.

We can find peace knowing that as we listen to and obey Jesus, He forms a strong foundation for our lives.

We can strengthen our love for Him through reading the Bible, praying, and learning from other Christians. Then when we face the torrents of rain lashing against us—whether betrayal, pain, or disappointment—we can trust that our foundation is solid. Our Savior will provide the support we need.

Lord God, I want to build my house on a rock. Help me to know that my solid foundation rests in You, with Your Word giving me wisdom and strength.

In the parable about the wise and foolish builders, Jesus isn’t teaching that we can be saved by our good works. Rather, because we are saved, we will do good works—we will obey God’s Word.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone” - John Calvin

Usefulness or Relationship? Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.  LUKE 10:20 Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” Luke 10:20 The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour “rivers of living water” through you. Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to “walk in the light as He is in the light”. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that our Lord gives His attention to in a person’s life is that person’s relationship with God— something of great value to His Father.

Our heavenly Father corrects us and comforts us.

We all go through difficult seasons in life. We may be tempted to question God’s love for us during those times. Let’s recall the many ways He’s shown us His unfailing love. When we stop to consider His goodness, we find that He is indeed a loving Father.

Lord, You have shown tender care for me over the course of my life. You’ve been present with me in difficult seasons. Help me to always remember Your love.

Bible tells us that anger and pain can hinder our relationship with God.

As long as hatred and anger exist in our hearts, we cannot achieve the faith spoken of in the Gospel of Mark, namely, that we truly believe our prayers will be answered.

It is only by recognizing the totality of Christ’s message of love — forgiving and loving our enemies — that we can achieve true closeness with God.

But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense.
Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him?
The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus.
Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us

The Spiritual Search What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  MATTHEW 7:9 The illustration of prayer that our Lord used here is one of a good child who is asking for something good. We talk about prayer as if God hears us regardless of what our relationship is to Him (Matthew 5:45) There is no use praying unless we are living as children of God.

Lord Jesus Christ, I am humbled and amazed that You would come and live in me. Help me to share this amazing gift with those I meet today.

What are some things that you know about but don’t really understand?

He loves you so much that he left heaven and came to earth for you. He loves you so much that he suffered and died for you. And the Bible says that nothing you can do will separate you from the love of Jesus.

The idea is that God's love is infinite — you will never come to the end of it. God loved you before he created you. He loves you right this minute. And he will love you for eternity.

We cannot possibly understand how much Jesus loves us. We don’t have to. All we have to do is accept it.

Happiness is doing things God’s way

Believing is seeing.

Take the Lord at His word. Do the very next thing He is asking you to do and you will see. He will give you grace to do the right thing and more: He will give you Himself—the only source of goodness—and with it, enduring happiness.

Help us trust You by doing what You have given us to do today.

what is good: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

“Trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3)

doing good is dependent on a relationship with God through Jesus.

Jesus equips us to do good and then produces good in us through the Spirit

Psalm 34:1-14

Everything they saw in the garden must have been a marvel as they walked with God. But one day they willfully disobeyed. They ate of the one tree they were forbidden to eat (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6). And that disobedience immediately led to lies and blame-shifting (3:8-13).

Still, God loved and cared for them. He sacrificed animals in order to clothe them (v. 21)—and later He provided a way of salvation for all sinners through the sacrifice of His Son (John 3:16). He loves us that much!

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us, despite our sin, and for making a way for us to be with You forever!

He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him

At the foundation of Jesus Christ’s kingdom is the genuine loveliness of those who are commonplace.

I cannot enter His kingdom by virtue of my goodness— I can only enter it as an absolute pauper.

If I wonder if I am being of any use to God, I instantly lose the beauty and the freshness of the touch of the Lord. 

In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.

Jesus’s death did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves: He made us acceptable in God’s eyes when we place our faith in Him.

It’s encouraging to remember that Jesus’s sacrifice for me—and for you—is complete . . . even if our living it out in this life is still a work in progress. 

Hebrews 10:10
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

I often feel as if I have to make it up to God after being so busy and distracted that I lose sight of Him. But that’s not how God works. As soon as we turn to Him for help, Jesus reaches out without hesitation.

When we’re unsettled by the chaos of life, it’s easy to forget that God is standing in the middle of the storm with us.

No matter what we’re going through, He is there. He is here. Next to us at that moment, in this moment, ready to reach out and rescue us.

Matthew 13:41
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

God is waiting for us to turn to Him so He can reach out and help.

Lord, help me to turn to You in the midst of my busyness and life’s distractions. Thank You for always being here, ready to catch me.

When Jesus is the one directing us, doubt can yield to confidence.

Does my heart growl in desire for Him the way my stomach did over the idea of a donut?

How amazing that a relationship with Jesus can provide constant nourishment in our everyday lives!

God’s continuous knowledge of my heart’s condition invites me to recognize my ongoing need for Him and to receive the sustenance only He can provide.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3)

Lord, we have so many questions about life and its unfairness. You have shown Yourself good to us. Help us to trust You for what we cannot understand.

Yet God expected the people to obey regardless of the wait. You’re in a hurry, but God isn’t. Obeying and trusting God often require a measure of patience.

Are you willing to wait for God, trust his timing and answers and obey—regardless of the wait?

Sometimes our to-do list needs to wait.

Heavenly Father, all of the time I have is in Your hands, a gift from You. Please show me how to use it to bring glory and honor to You.

waiting with faith

Waiting demands patience and exacts a price. It’s the toll on the road that each of us must pay.

We also hear the promises of God and long for God to fulfill them. Yet we often wait. But sometimes our part is simply to wait, with a confident, disciplined and patient assurance that God will keep his promises. He will come through.  While such times aren’t easy, in the end we can honestly reflect that “it was worth the wait.” Indeed, waiting can result in our greatest blessing.

If you are in the midst of a challenging situation, you can send out an SOS to God. Although help will look different than the assistance Joshua received, perhaps help comes through an unexpected job, an understanding doctor, or peace in the midst of grief. Be encouraged that these are ways He is responding to your call for help and fighting for you.

Thank You, Father, for walking with me on this difficult journey and hearing me when I cry out to You.

As we cry out to God for help, we can trust that He will be with us.

Do we wait for a crisis to turn to Him?

" I felt confused but never alone."
"I still don’t know exactly what that path is, so I’m learning to trust him each day. Sometimes it’s hard to wait. Truth be told, some days I don’t want to get out of bed. Hopelessness creeps in. It’s in those times that God gives me an extra measure of hope through friends, strangers, circumstances and his Word."

Allow Him to be your hope.

Isaiah 40:31

I love watching ghost hunting documentaries. Among those shows that I've watched is Ghost Adventures and it is one of the most real ghost hunting shows I've ever watched. All of the evidences they've gathered has made me believed further of spirits and ghost apparitions and manifestations that other people claim.

There's just this one episode that caught my attention. This was the crew's investigation in The Domes in Arizona Desert wherein it was believed that Satanic worshipping was held back in the days when it was still functioning. One of their interviewees was a former Satanic worshipper turned Christian after being saved by the grace of the Lord. He once believed that he should worship Satan but he met a guy who helped him know God and made him know what Jesus has done for him. That's why although he still experience the after effects of Satan worshipping in his Christian life, he has proven in his life that God is greater.

One of his testimonies is this: That Satan fears the name of Jesus. Just the name of Jesus scares him. That's why whenever he felt that Satan is attacking him, he just called the name of Jesus in his head and Satan flees. He sticks to his belief that God is greater.

This is one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard. And this testimony strengthens my faith and belief that Jesus is the Son of God. That I just have to believe in him and I will be safe from harm.

Praise to You Heavenly Father! Praise to You Jesus Christ, Son of God! You are really the ONE TRUE GOD OF ALL!!

During our dark times, when we feel as if God’s not there for us, we need reminders of who God is and how He’s demonstrated His love. Reflecting on our personal experiences with Him, as well as His actions recorded in Scripture, can affirm the countless ways our good Abba Father loves us.

Psalm 63:1

That’s why Proverbs strongly warns us here and elsewhere (see Proverbs 3:31; 24:1 – 2,19 – 20) against envying those who are not living for God. At times it may look like they are having all the fun, but their lives will ultimately be unfulfilling unless they forsake evil and follow God’s paths. Because we are confident in our hope, we can be zealous for God and refuse to envy sinners. We are rich in God’s goodness not only now but also in the future. We will never regret the hard choices we make for him.

Proverbs 23:17

We must love those for whom Christ died as well as those in whom Christ lives.

Father, we ask You to fill our hearts with Your love for others. We hold them up to You and beg for them to see the truth about Your Son Jesus.

Romans 9:1-5

2 Peter 3:9

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Not only has He provided in Jesus a sufficient sacrifice, He also extends patient love to people who do not know Him.

If you get hurt, don't ever blame God. He is the best friend you have.

But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.

What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.

A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities.

When the bottom drops out on us, may we realize that the faithful One will not desert us! We can rest in God’s purposes as we pray for understanding.

Expect God to do great things in your life and pray boldly.

Expectancy is an attribute of faith that carries its own kind of power - the power of hope.

Faith reaches out into the spiritual realm and expects God's supernatural power to show up and do what no person on Earth could do.

Rather than wonder why some will spend eternity in hell, we ought to wonder in grateful amazement why He chooses to rescue any of us.

Whatever you are praying for, one of the best ways to start is with praise and worship.They will keep your heart right before God and make a way for you to hear His voice and for change to take place.

When you need to hear God's voice, praise and worship Him.

It said that love is giving to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return. This is how Jesus has loved each of us. He saw our inner poverty and responded by giving His life for us.

Knowing Christ personally is a journey into His infinite love.

The salvation we receive guarantees our position, but it does not give us a free pass to live any way we like.


1 Corinthians 3:13
their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work

15
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

The fact that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us proves His willingness to always be available to speak to us and help us when we need Him. As we continue to grow spiritually, we will experience temptation, but God has given us the Holy Spirit to enable us to resist it and make right choices instead of wrong ones.

Instead of using our energy to feel bad about ourselves, we should use it to make sure our hearts are tuned to God's voice as He leads us into greater strength and deeper relationship with Himself. 

Remember that the Holy Spirit is always available to you.

If you are not sure of your purpose in life, just do what you are good at and then watch God confirm your choices by blessing your endeavors.

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

Pray God's prayers, not your prayers.

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

God pursues us in our restlessness, receives us in our sinfulness, holds us in our brokenness. —Scotty Smith

You can take a stand against sin without being judgmental.

No matter what we pray for, thanksgiving should always go with it.
Speak words of thanksgiving, not words of complaint.

Philippians 4:6, everything we ask God for should be preceded and accompanied by thanksgiving.

But the disillusionment that comes from God brings us to the point where we see people as they really are, yet without any cynicism or any stinging and bitter criticism.

Our Lord trusted no one, and never placed His faith in people, yet He was never suspicious or bitter

When God charges us with a task—whether to repair a relationship or share what He’s done in our lives—He gives us whatever skills and strength are necessary to continue in our effort to do what He’s asked, no matter what challenges come our way.

Lord, please equip me with Your strength to persevere and finish the tasks You’ve given me. May my labors bring You glory.

God equips us to overcome obstacles and complete the tasks He’s given us to do.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24 NIV

God wants a relationship with us — not to condemn us, but to free us.

None of the pressure you feel throughout the day is from God. In truth, you may be trying to please others or achieve your own goals more than you are trying to please God.

“The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.”

Ask the Lord to do a deep and thorough work in you so you can be all He wants you to be, do all He wants you to do, and have all He wants you to have. 

The pain of staying the way we are is much worse than the pain of changing.

No one ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test regarding it.

Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Generous giving displays courageous confidence in God’s loving and faithful provision.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Let prayer be your first response, not your last resort.

Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God,

earnestly I seek you;

I thirst for you,

my whole being longs for you,

in a dry and parched land

where there is no water.

While we should protect our hearts as much as possible from injury (see Proverbs 4:23), we need to leave revenge to God.

Many people have received Jesus as Savior and Lord. They will go to heaven, but never draw on the full capacity of the Holy Spirit that is available to them or experience the true success God wants them to enjoy on Earth. Simply put, many will be on their way to heaven, but they won't enjoy the trip.

Your worst day with God will be better than your best day without Him.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t resist sin (v. 17); but it does mean we should stop relying on our own strength to grow spiritually

We are called to reflect God’s kindness to others, regardless of how they choose to respond.

Jeremiah 23:24

Who can hide in secret places

so that I cannot see them?”

declares the Lord.

“Do not I fill heaven and earth?”

declares the Lord.

The warning is that we cannot hide from God. We can’t outrun or fool Him. Everything we do is visible to Him.

The encouragement is that there is no place on earth or in the heavens where we are outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father.

May the awareness of that truth encourage us to choose obedience to His Word and receive comfort—He watches over us.

Listen: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22).
Meditate: “In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling” (Psalm 27:5).
Savor: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (119:50).

Life can never be the same again when someone we love is gone. But God’s promises bring hope and comfort. —Dave Branon

Psalm 34:18.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.