Lust

Temptation is everywhere. Lust is loitering in every part of life. You and I can’t drive down the road and not see a billboard sign, turn on the television, or browse the web without being hit by temptation to lust. Our desire to love easily turns to lust often with little encouragement. What starts as an innocent moment in which the Lord delights can quickly turn into an ugly cycle that is not of God. When we are surrounded by both obvious and subtle seduction, sin that once seemed unthinkable loses its sting and begins to feel comfortable. Advertisements that assault us with their less-than-modest images become so familiar that we don’t even think to turn our heads. Our senses are so overwhelmed from moment to moment that taking a step back to reconnect with God becomes less of a priority. The result, we fall prey to lust.

We know that Christ promises that we are not alone in temptation. In some circumstances we hold tight to that promise, but in others we make excuses. We say, “It’s just too much. There is no where I can go without being tempted.”

The truth in 1 Corinthians 10:13 is encouraging: “No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also so that you may be able to endure it.”
There is an escape from daily temptations and it is always available. Philippians 4:6-7 says that as we talk to Jesus, his peace will guard our hearts and minds. Each day we can ask for protection from our struggles and when we fall we can receive mercy and grace.

“Father, show me where I need to be on guard. Help me to see where sin has crept in, and please forgive me. I am thankful that I can always come back to you and that you promise peace. I pray that you will be glorified as I work to move away from temptation and closer to you. In Jesus name—Amen!”

Slothfulness

Bernabe Spivey relates a story: "Going down some old cement steps, I noticed an ant carrying a leaf on its back. The leaf was many times bigger than the ant. Then the ant came to a big crack in the cement that it couldn't cross. The ant stopped a moment. I wondered if the ant would turn back or proceed into the crack without the leaf. Instead, the ant put the leaf across the crack and then crossed the crack by walking across the leaf. On the other side, the ant picked up the leaf and continued on its journey."
The Bible tells us in Proverbs chapter 6, "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise. . ." The ant is an industrious creature, but we are often sluggards that must learn valuable lessons from the ant. The ant "provides supplies in the summer and gathers food in the harvest." God's fields are "white unto the harvest," but we are not getting His job done.

As the ant used her leaf to bridge the crack in the cement, we need to be building bridges to our family, friends, and neighbors, modeling Christ before them, having Christian conversations with them, loving them, and bringing them to Jesus, but instead we are spiritually asleep and blind to the hurts, pains, and needs of people all around us. The Holy Spirit calls out to us:

"How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
"A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep-
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
"And your need like an armed man."

The Lord confronts us and the Bible warns us many times as it does in the first part of Jeremiah 4:10,"Accursed is the one who is slack in doing the work of the LORD. . ." In many translations of this verse that English word "slack" is often rendered "slothful." God's ministry is never to be done slothfully by His people.
There are warning signs or symptoms which alert us that we are in danger of becoming slothful sluggards in our ministry for Jesus Christ. Slothful disciples epitomize: laxness, lethargy, apathy, disinterest, indifference, and complacency. Spiritual sluggards often are coldhearted, passionless, spiritless, unfeeling, and unemotional in their relationship with God and their love and concern for others, especially towards the unchurched lost.
Perhaps you are burnt out. You are tired, have worked hard for the Lord and see no results or no solutions. To be burnt out means to feel trapped. I felt this way before I came here. My vision for the church had gone. I still did my work but I really did not care. My heart was not in it. I had no sense of purpose or mission. And I felt that way for a year. I could not go on that way and so I knew that I had to make a change.

"Jesus, just like the ant, help me to live each day with passion and zeal. Regardless the setback I pray your purpose for my life would change my attitude and give me greater concern for the lost. In Jesus name-Amen!"

Greed

Greed is uncommonly common in our society. It shows up in the weekend newspaper edition of sales at your local stores, it comes in the form of holding onto things that don’t matter and buying things that we don’t need. This sin is like any other, it causes us to lose ground on our holiness walk before the LORD.

“But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy’” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NASB)

When you think about the word “sin,” what comes to mind? Often, we think of the big stuff, and with good reason. When celebrities, politicians, and even prominent church leaders are caught in scandals it’s because they’ve stolen money, used drugs, or cheated on their spouse. At church, we often focus on avoiding these “big sins” — adultery, addiction, sexual impurity, and any activity that could land us in jail. And let’s be clear, we absolutely should avoid these things. None of these destructive behaviors are consis¬tent with the life God intends for us.
The only problem with focusing on this list is that it allows us to minimize other sins. We think the “little stuff” — a white lie or a lustful glance, for example — is OK every now and then, as long as we don’t go too far. When we rank sins in order of their seriousness, our little slip-ups don’t seem so bad in comparison. Obviously, this is a trap. Why? Because we’ve based our understanding of sin, character, and integrity on our culture’s sliding scale. Rather than pursuing God’s standard for our lives as portrayed in Scripture, we compare ourselves to others. We draw ar¬bitrary lines signifying what is “good enough” and then we try to stay on the right side of the line. As the passage above from 1 Peter states, we’re called to lead lives that are holy in all we do.
In Ephesians 4:27, Paul the Apostle warns us not to “give the devil an opportunity.” As Paul teaches the church at Ephesus about following Christ, his implication is that seemingly minor lapses can be exploited by Satan. Satan desires distraction and destruction in our lives, so it’s wise to deny him even the slightest bit of leverage. Seem¬ingly small compromises allow the devil to get his foot in the door of our lives. Therefore, as men and women who want to live fully surrendered to God and His kingdom, let us be wary of the temptation to compromise. When “little stuff” arises, let’s slam the door shut.

“Father, give me the strength, wisdom, and conviction to resist compromise. Show me areas of my life in which I’ve allowed “little stuff” to creep in so that I can confess and repent. Help me understand the consequences of my sin, and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus name—Amen!”

Anger

Sin is the leading cause of death in humans. Sounds a bit corny or obvious, but it's true. It's not found in the modern day medical journals, it's not a medical condition or disease but it's effect on the human being are just as destructive. It can have numerous mental, spiritual and even physical consequences.

Even though it's an emotion, anger will increase your heart rate, blood pressure and levels of adrenaline. Most of my vivid childhood memories are attached to anger related situations and many of them I have no trouble remembering the details. Like the time I hit a kid in school for the first time or the time the bully wanted to rip me limb from limb after class, even days that I hated my family and wanted to run away or change my name. The list goes on....

Anger can save you as much as it can shackle you. It is an emotion given to illicit a response to a situation and God gave us this emotion so we will respond to the right things in the right way. And that is the key, that we WILL RESPOND. And when we respond we will also continue to act when other motivations fade away. Anger is powerful enough to keep us engaged and passionate even when the reward is delayed.

But usually we don't get "righteous anger" we just get angry. In other words we let anger get a hold of us and when it does it takes all it can and leaves no leftovers. Anger left unchecked can cost a person their reputation, their relationships, job or career and it may even cost them their very life. It must be handled wisely!

So, what should we do about anger? Well here are the points I gave on Sunday, take them and put them into practice this week.

(Proverbs 29:11) "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

1.) Resolve to manage your anger (decide today it will not control your reactions)
2.) Remember there is a cost (Each time we misuse our anger it will cost us, there is always a payout)
3.) Reflect before reacting. (In other words respond. Responding requires forethought and this thinking will change your course before you start on it)
4.) Release it, appropriately (Don't suppress it, repress it, or even express anger. Instead confess it so that you can get it out)
5.) Repattern your mind (Anger starts when we feel an emotion and connect a thought or series of thoughts to it, choose to only allow good and Godly thoughts to be attached to your anger)
6.) Rely on God's control. (Many people have no or little control and self help won't do anything but just mask the issue, ultimately you need Jesus in your life to bring about the change that can remove the negative reactions of anger)

"Father, help me to be a person of control and a person of emotion at the same time. I only want to get angry for the things that bring about the Kingdom of God on this earth, the rest I forsake today. In Jesus name-Amen!"

What Lies Ahead

What Lies ahead for you? It’s a question that applies to all of us and how you address it will determine if your future if full of grief or growth. Some people over think this question (that’s me) and some people never address it. Everyone will have to reconcile it at some point and it is the few that lead themselves and through the challenges of change. Most result to managing their futures.

So which are you? Let me give you a few items to test yourself.

-Managers assume that things will stay the same thus they manage the status quo.
-Leadership assumes that things will change and they look for growth.

-Managers ride on the back of the change curve.
-Leaders ride on the edge of the change curve.

-Managers get overwhelmed by the size of the task wave in front of them.
-Leaders never see it, because it’s behind them. (from John Maxwell)

The Apostle Paul was a leader of His future and he followed the best leader he could, Jesus Christ and this is what he said about what lies ahead.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” (Philippians 3:12-15)

How do you view your future? Do you manage it or do you plunge deep into leadership?

Sword of the Spirit

What is the most powerful weapon in the world? Is it the MOAB (Mother of all bombs, 21,000 lbs), an aircraft carrier (4.5 acres of mobile military force), a smart weapon? No doubt these are powerful weapons, yet a believer in Jesus has a weapon more powerful than any earthly weapon. This weapon is God’s word, which is extended through us. As saints, we are God’s warriors, representing His Kingdom in this fallen world. We have authority and power through Christ; we also have a sword beyond any comparison in the physical world.

A little history: The sword used by the Roman legions was called the Gladius Hispaniensis, the word gladius is the Latin word for sword, the Romans adopted the Spanish sword in the 3rd century B.C. The Roman legions were in constant training with their sword. The sword was to become an extension of the arm; the legionnaire goal was for the sword to become 2nd nature.

Paul would have seen the legions training for hours on end, perfecting their skills in combat. New legions learning the process of sword fighting, the more experienced and trained legions sparing with the new recruits getting them ready for the battle. Paul envisioned the same for the Church at Ephesus in spiritual warfare. As the legions were proficient in their handling the sword of steel, Paul wanted the church to proficient in the Spiritual sword.

God’s sword is an eternal weapon, while the earthly sword is very limited in scope. God’s weapon is living, while the earthly sword has no life. Hebrews defines this sword for us.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

The world is subject to God’s sword, Satan and his minions fear God’s sword, why do you think so many atheistic and Muslim nations outlaw the Bible? Because the conflict is taking place in Spiritual realms, Satan understands the power of the word of God. The word of God has the power to transform and pull down kingdoms.

For this reason, every spiritual warrior needs to learn to become expert in their handling the word of God. In the same way the legions of Rome trained for physical battle with a physical battle, the legions of God need to train for battle against their invisible enemy.

What shape is your armor in? Is your sword of the word in sharp and ready for battle? Is your foundation of faith grounded and firmly rooted? Can you stand up to the force of evil that seeks you every day? Do you have an open line of communication to your support and master strategist? Once you get into battle and need prayer that is no time to have to introduce yourself to God. So continue to put on God’s armor every day.

By the way, the guns during the service where not real! Come on do you really think I would pull out real guns during a message?