Four Things to Know about Most Temptations

1. They are Possible

The strongest pull away from obedience and holiness comes not from the fleeting thoughts of impossible grandeur; they come from the action that is close at hand and far removed from God's will. 

 

2. They are Desirable

Let's face it - not much temptation to steal a boa constrictor to wrestle it.  I am tempted by what appeals to the senses.  Eve wouldn't have taken a bite if the Serpent was holding elephant dung.     

 

3. They are Strategic

Timing is huge in growth and in sin.  The enemy of my soul knows how to bring the wrong things at the right time.  And, he also knows how to make the right things look like the wrong time.  I am tempted to do what shouldn't be done and to leave undone what is required.  The tempter is aware of my moods and patterns.

 

4. They are Optional 

This would be a wonderful truth for followers of Christ to embrace.  "I don't have to!"  I don't have to disobey God.  I don't have to compromise my thought life.  I don't have to dwell on what is sin.  I don't have to repeat what I have confessed.

However you define temptation, whatever it looks like in your life, whenever it slithers into your soul, remember this descriptor - IT'S OPTIONAL.

 

Choosing Obedience,

Pastor Dave

 

Digging

I went for an ice free walk around the block this morning.  The dog and I enjoy non-winter outdoor exercise.

 

I saw something that I find myself thinking through.  A man breaking apart a huge pile of snow in his front yard.

 

I know that's not a big deal - but, he's the one who made it.  Through the winter he shovels his driveway and part of his yard into a large pile.  Through much of the winter you can see his lawn because he clears it off (I think he does it for his dogs).  The result is there is a huge pile of snow in the middle of his front yard.

 

This morning he went to his front yard with a shovel and broke up the pile scattering it around so that the sun and warmth could do it's job.  I watched him aggressively dig and throw repeatedly as I walked by.

 

I thought about how many times we build our own piles - worry, regret, and even sin.  I pictured the mountain of bad choices and bad attitudes that we accumulate on the front yard of our souls.  I imagined coming to grips with the fact that the Son and I working together could tear down what I have built.

 

Spring is a good time to allow the Son to melt what doesn't belong.  Today is a good day to determine that the pile should be torn down.  There is growth that is waiting to happen.  There is life that is ready to bring color.  There is value that has been covered.

 

Let the warmth of God's Spirit motivate you to use your empowerment to scatter a pile.

 

Digging,

 

Pastor Dave

 

List

The list of things that are going to happen.

 

1. Setting the clocks ahead one hour.  Saturday night we "spring ahead" one hour.  It's kind of interesting - statistically this week is one of the lowest church attendance Sundays of the year.  Loosing a hour of sleep when you're already tired is a hard thing.

 

2. Spring.  There continues to be a rumor that Spring will come and the snow will melt.  Ah, remember the 70's of summer?

 

3.  The new Ministry Center will be complete.  We are working on getting the downstairs finished up.  It feels like we've been at this for a very long time.  I'm told that in "construction months" it's really not that long.  I was unaware that contractors, city inspectors, and builders all live on different calendars than the rest of us do.

 

4. Easter.  We will soon celebrate the risen Christ.  Easter is about who Christ is and who we are in Him.  This is a great season to draw nearer to Him and live the victory He has won.

 

5. Christ will return.

 

Note:  These points are not necessarily in order of occurrence.  Number 5 could be deposited at any point in our list of things that are going to happen.  And the moment number 5 happens all points and events that were to take place become null and void.

 

I prepare for number 1 by changing the clocks in my home and car.

 

I prepare for number 2 by putting away my snowblower and starting my lawnmower.

 

I prepare for number 3 by thinking through the details and changing ministry structure.

 

I prepare for number 4 by buying Cadbury eggs and getting my suit cleaned.

 

I prepare for number 5 by....

 

Now that I think about it - I've put entirely too much energy in preparing for things that will be a blip on the calendar.  The great thing is I am ready for number 5 as I do numbers 1-4 in faith and obedience to the One who is returning.

 

I will change my clocks, get my lawnmower ready, plan for change, and celebrate the risen Christ, all while being the Christ-following husband, father, grandfather, pastor, son, employee, friend, servant that I am called to be.

 

How do you get ready for number 5?  Are you ready for number 5?

 

Ready,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Pre-Lenten Question

The last couple of weeks I've found myself getting excited about the Easter season. Starting Wednesday I am going to take a journey focusing on the words of Christ. We've been working on daily devotional thoughts that will be available on-line as well as in hard copy.

However, as I consider what Christ has said I'm wondering today about something else.

Please understand it is not my intent to reduce the importance or power of the words of Christ found in the Bible. They have the life and healing we crave. They have the conviction and judgment we need. They have the power and grace we search for. I am standing in faith that through the Lenten season the words of Christ are going to bring dramatic dynamics to a hungry soul.

The something else is, what is Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, saying to me right now?

Listening,

Pastor Dave