Lead Us Not

 

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

It’s hard to say no to temptation, but for every time you can say no, it makes you stronger. Don't rush the work, changing little by little is still changing.

The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. Deuteronomy 7:22

If you're struggling continually with temptations, check your thoughts. Our mind and thoughts are powerful and can lead us down the wrong path if we don't filter our thoughts through the Word of God and what is pleasing to Him.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

When you hear a wrong thought and/or one that tempts you, try speaking out a scripture to combat that thought - the 'weapon of the Word'. For example, if you hear a thought in your head about God abandoning you, you can say a confession aloud based on Matthew 28:20 - Jesus promised He would ALWAYS be with me, even to the end of the world. Hearing thoughts that cause you to worry about your finances? Say aloud Philippians 4:19 - My God SHALL supply all my needs. Hearing a thought in your head that you're going to die, want to die, or commit suicide? Say aloud Psalm 118:17 - I WILL NOT die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. If you can't think of a scripture that applies to your specific situation, ask the Holy Spirit to give you one, or you can paraphrase the above scripture from 2 Corinthians 10 - I cast down vain imaginations and every high thing that exhalts itself against the knowledge of God.

While we're on the subject of the Word of God, feed your spirit daily with the Word. What's in your heart will come out at just the right time that you need it.

Father, I pray that You lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Help us Holy Spirit to keep our thoughts in check and to think on godly things. Help us to say no to things that are displeasing to You. Change us. Make us more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

 

 

 

Let the Lord's people show Him reverence,

for those who honor Him will have all they

 need. Those who trust in the Lord will never

lack any good thing.

Psalm 34:9,10

Fear God. That's a biblical concept that's often misunderstood. It doesn't mean that we should be afraid of God. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't develop a personal relationship with the Lord. But it does mean that we should respect Him, reverence Him, and be infinitely more concerned with fulfilling the Law of God than just doing whatever we want to do or trying to please others.

Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey Him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128:1,2

If we live with a reverence and respect for the Lord, the biblical fear of the Lord, then we don't have to be afraid of anything. Sometimes, we just need to be quiet and listen. It's usually in the stillness that the Holy Spirit speaks words of comfort and direction. Fear the Lord and don't be afraid of anything.

The Bible says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'" (Psalm 91:1-3,7).

Somehow being in the Lord's presence just makes everything okay. When you're in the presence of the Lord, you have NOTHING to fear. The power of the presence of God will take away all despair and doubt as you fellowship with Him.

You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Psalm 16:11

It doesn't matter if you're going through the flood or the fire, because you know God is with you. As long as you feel His arms around you, everything's all right.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

Respect your Father.

Father, help us to respect and revere You. Help us to not be afraid. Bless our lives with all that we need. In Jesus' name, amen.

Peace and Rest on Every Side

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? You have allowed me to suffer much hardship and severe troubles, but You WILL restore me and revive my life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You WILL restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:19-21

The psalmist had seen 'great and severe troubles' (Ps. 71:20). Yet hovering in the back of his mind was the thought that God would 'revive' him again. The literal meaning of this phrase is 'bring him to life again.' He elaborated: 'You shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth [the grave]. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side' (vs 20-21). If the troubles didn’t end in this life, certainly in heaven they would.

This thought - that someday we shall be in God’s presence and enjoy Him forever - crowns many of the psalms and is an assurance that helps life’s present troubles fade away (see Ps. 16,17,49,73).

Perhaps no one but God knows the trouble you've seen, but this is not all that shall be. Someday, your Father will 'increase your greatness' - you will be clothed with unspeakable glory. There will be comfort 'on every side.' His presence and love will bring perfect peace and rest.

The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. Joshua 21:44

Richard Baxter once wrote, 'O what a blessed day that will be when I shall stand on the shore and look back on the raging seas I have safely passed; when I shall review my pains and sorrows, my fears and tears, and possess the glory which was the end of all. When all my labors and trials are over, and I am safe on that beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through the ages be glory for me.'

Father, I pray that You wipe our tears away and cause our sorrows to give way to comfort. Defeat our enemies, put them to shame. Draw us close to You and help us to depend on You. Give us peace and rest on every side. In Jesus' name, amen.