Has temptation taken control of you?

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:9-10 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Temptation comes in many forms, but the most common in this country (USA) is that of seeking riches, followed closely by sexual lust. We are so caught up in having the very best of everything that we have forgotten our first love, we have forgotten who has made us what we are, Jesus. The Bible didn’t say the money or riches itself or even having money was evil, it said the love of or the lust for it is the root of all evil. The Word does NOT say that money is evil, It does not say that you can’t have money or even that you can’t be rich. It says it is the lust, the overpowering desire, or greed for money that is evil. There is nothing in the Word that says Christians must be poor! In fact, my Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the streets of Heaven are made out of gold. That does not sound poor to me. It says that this love or lust for money will open the door for the greatest tempter there is to come and tempt you and steal from you. You have strayed from the Faith when you lust for money. It’s okay to have it, just not to lust for it. It’s time to get your eyes back on Jesus and have faith in Him, remember who gave us the ability to get wealth. God said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) What things was he talking about? What to eat, what to drink, what to wear, the things we need in life, etc. So we won’t have to lust for money. (Phil 4:19 KJV) But my God shall supply ALL your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. What part of ALL don’t you understand?

MY PRAYER…
Father, I thank You for Your Holy Word. I thank You Lord that for every temptation, trial, or test that comes our way, You have an answer, a way of escape. You do bring the temptation, but you provide a way for us to escape it. You have given us through Your Word everything we need for this life if we will only hear it and obey it. Thank You Lord that You know all of our needs and You promised to meet them if only we would seek You and Your righteousness first. Help me Lord, to make my life a reflection of Your Word. To live my life like Jesus did, who both proclaimed and lived Your truth. In Jesus mighty name, I pray.
Amen

Do you know how to encourage one another, or do you do the opposite?

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
We need to really take note of what Paul is saying here. We live in an age where we are constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of things. They’ve outlawed the Word of God in our schools and instead teach the “New Age” movement or ‘Harry Potter’ witchcraft and that’s okay? This ‘New Age’ is really nothing more than a fancy name for the ‘occult’ or witchcraft if you will. They won’t allow the reading of the Bible in school, but they will assign our children to do book reviews of witchcraft (Harry Potter series)! They won’t allow us to pray in school, but they will encourage the learning of chants and incantations from so called “New Age” teachings (Witchcraft). It seems they have forgotten the very thing this country (America) was founded on, Christianity! It was NOT just freedom of religion, it was freedom to practice Christianity that America was founded on. Not just some religion or any religion, but America was founded on Christianity! If you have a problem with that then go back where you came from, if they’ll have you. READ Your History (if you can find a correct history book anymore) find a copy of the Mayflower Compact and read what our founders had to say about their new colony. The separation of Church and state that our forefathers meant in the Constitution was not allowing the ‘state’ to control our church! But rather the church controlling what the government was and could do! It was the freedom to practice Christianity according to the Bible not according to the King’s way!
In our lives as Christians, we need to remind each other of what we should be doing according to God’s Word. We need to keep encouraging each other in the Faith, prodding and pushing each other to new and exciting things in God. From Glory to Glory! We need to have our Christianity heard in our government as loud and as much as the immoral views are heard.

MY PRAYER…
Faithful Father, thank You for noticing and keeping record of the things I’ve done that are good and pleasing to You. Please help me to keep doing those things that please You, only to do them better, that You may be pleased and glorified. Help me to encourage the Brethren as we all make our walk of Faith with You. Help us Lord to heal our country and return it to the state in which it was intended before You. In Jesus name.
Amen