Fighting Temptation!

Objectives:
(1) To realize temptation is real
(2) To learn how to fight the temptation of and defeat Satan.

Scriptures to Study:
Luke 4:1-14

Greetings Brothers and Sisters!
We’re going to talking about standing…through….temptation. God desires for us to stay encouraged when we are going through.


Scripture text – Luke 4:1-2
Jesus had just returned from Jordan and the Holy Ghost sent him into the wilderness and was there for 40 days. He was fasting during this time and the word says that Jesus began to hunger. So here comes the devil, seizing the opportunity to come in and he tempted Jesus.

I want to stay there for a moment. Jesus was journeying from Jordan and the Holy Ghost led him into the wilderness. We can relate because our life is a journey (with God) and sometimes the Lord allows us to enter into a wilderness. (the could be a situation, stagnation or a prison cell) This isn’t to punish us (in the eyes of God) but to build our character (so that we won’t repeat those things that got us in the situation to begin with).

A wilderness is gloomy and lonely…its dark. We have all been in a dark place in our lives. We can become desperate while in that dark place. This becomes a perfect opportunity for the devil to come in and try to get us to turn from the road that God prepared for us. Satan desires to cut us off from God permanently.

And devil knows where we are weak. We can fool others but the devil, he knows when we’re at our weakest point. The devil knew Jesus was hungry and I’m sure Jesus was staggering around with his tongue hanging out his mouth, crying he was hungry. Therefore, devil knows our weaknesses and truly, that is the only means he has to use against us.

But if we put on Jesus’ spiritual attire, we can stand against the wiles of Satan even when we are at our weakest. Though Jesus was tempted he stood, because he know who his Father was.

Satan…

Said to Jesus, if you’re the son of man, turn this stone to bread…
He took Jesus to the highest mountain and showed him all the kingdoms and said I’ll give you all this power if you worship me…
He took him and set him on pinnacle of the temple and told him to cast himself down…and then get this, quoted scripture, “He shall give his angels charge over, to keep thee…and their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalms91:11), see the devil knows the word of God…

We can relate to all these temptations, can’t we?

. . .How many times have your salvation been tested by others? The devil using people to work your last nerves…and while he’s working in their minds he’s telling you in yours, you know who used to be. You know you can tear them all up. That’s the devil. Talked about you, put you down, judged you, lied on you. You know you wanted to tell them off (or lay hands on them). That’s Testing Your Salvation and now that Satan knows who you are in Christ!

…How many times have the devil made something look so good that you just had to have it though deep down you knew it was artificial or out of line with God? The devil will not give you anything without price.

…How many times have the devil told you, “well the bible says…” and then have you taking the Word of God out of context? This is why the Lord says to rightfully divide the Word of Truth. Amen!


So how do I remain standing? How do I defeat the devil when his approach is so crafty and elegant? How do I stand when I’m already tired?

The answer is through God’s Word. If you stay in the Word of God, you can defeat everything the devil throws at you.

If we go back to Luke, we see every time the devil threw a tempt at Jesus, Jesus came right back with the Word of God. Get thee behind me Satan, for …“It is written, it is said…”.(versus 4,8,&12) So if we put that same Jesus attire(Romans13:14), the same attitude, we will stand in time of temptation.

The sword of the spirit with us, which is…The Word OF God!

And in verse 13, the devil was defeated!

Greater is He that is in you…than he that is in the World. If God be in you then the Word of God is in you too. So use it!

If I’m in Christ, then I’m a new creature.(IICorinthian5:17). I don’t fall easy to temptation no more. Those things that used to entice me and lure me in, can’t do that anymore. God’s word said, we are new creatures in Christ. Therefore, we take off those old clothes (attitudes, habits, associates) and we put on the new, Christ-like attire (rightousness).

Who’s attire are you wearing?

God Bless You!

-KingdomDIVA

God's Glory

It is glorifying God that matters the most. We mustn't be selfish and think our own needs over others. God's word tells us we must consider ourselves with the needs of others before our own, just as Jesus did when he went on the cross and sacrificed his life for ours. Amen!{font-size: 90%}

Accepted and Seperated

… in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
-- 1 Peter 4:11

In case you haven’t noticed, the times in which you and I live are growing increasingly depraved.


Here’s the ugly dark secret: It’s not going to get better for our kids or our grandkids. This will be the pace as the end of time draws near. All things are about to be fulfilled, and God is going to come in Christ and judge the world!

Can you see, then, why it’s so important that we live our faith with an awareness of our times?

Paul said we should come out from those who are in the world. This means to separate yourself from worldliness… to make good decisions about your lifestyle and your behavior… to be conscientious about what you put on and in your body.

You see, if you’re going to glorify God through Jesus Christ, you must accept that your life isn’t about you—it’s about him! This is why Paul said, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Don’t get confused and caught up in the craziness of the times. Pray for discernment and clear thinking. Set yourself apart for his purpose and fight the good fight of faith in these final days!

IF YOU WANT TO GLORIFY JESUS WITH YOUR LIFE, YOU’LL SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM WORLDLINESS.

Donnie Mcclurkin & Marvin Winans "Stand"

Quik Fixes - How God'sHelping Me Conqueror Obesity

I have been struggling with obesity since the age of 6. As I got older the same bad eating habits from childhood increased as did my weight. Not even recognizing what was happening to me because it became a way of life. I now think back and realize that without God I wouldn't have known how to stop even if I wanted to. Around my late twenties to early thirties, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. My doctor said it was due to obesity. I had never been diagnosed with anything due to my weight so it was at this point I desired help. One day while at work, the Lord spoke to me and said the devil had tricked into killing myself. I've heard of Weight Watchers but never had the desire to join until then. I went on the website and joined a couple of groups and then searched for a meeting day/area. I found one right in Vallejo where I lived. After that, the Lord also told me to stop putting impurities into my body and led me to being a vegetarian. Soon I was eating high fiber & low fat foods, soy and drinking Lipton's antioxidant green tea. Even no more fast food. Wow! What a difference, cholestrol blood pressure decreased. Energy increased and I lost 96 lbs.
I truly believe now that I'm more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. I'm not saying that the road to redemption is easy but it is possible.

I now have a group on Weight Watchers website called, "I'm More Than A Conqueror Through Christ Jesus" The Lord has blessed and there are not over 70 participants. We care, share and fellowship with each other. You can join the group by going to the Weight Watcher's website at www.weightwatcher.com and go to groups and search by name. Your story may not be a dramatic as mine, however, any type of struggle with weight can cause not only have physical impact, but also a mental one. But is here to help us with all situations, trials and tribulations if we allow him to. He did it for me and he can do it for you!

Now I would like to share a couple of tips that has helped me:

First of all, we need to stop with the quick fixes. I've heard of people starting these crazy fade diets where they lose 15+ lbs in a week. But then guess what? They gain it right back. You know why? The quicker you take it off, the quicker you put it right back on...a quik fix. I know how it feels to be desperate to lose weight but it takes patients. Patients is something we have to have in any thing we do. Don't rush it. Take it slow and watch the pounds come off and stay off. Here are a couple of suggestions to help you get started:

1) Promise to jet right pass those fast food stops, remember they are quik fixes that are loaded with preservatives that wants to make a permanent forever home around your belly. In the first three months of omitting fast food from my diet, I lost about 15 pounds and my cholestrol dropped from 140 to 120 then down to 100.

2) Get moving! Not taking about killing yourself at the gym about 2-3 hours. We're talking baby steps. 30 mins a day and if you're busy like me, break them up into 3 sets of 10minutes each. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes is what you need per day to have a healthy heart.

3) Eat the Rainbow! Add color to your meals; onion, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, etc. All these veggies add vitamins, minerals macronutients that the body needs to function. You can't get these things eating fast food, cakes and potatoe chips (those quick fixes).

Hope these couple of suggestions help! We know that God gives the increase (as Paul speaks in 1Corinthians 3:5-7) and all He has to do is speak it, but we must still do our part and plant the seed of health in our bodies.
First of all, we need to stop with the quick fixes. I've heard of people starting these crazy fade diets where they lose 15+ lbs in a week. But then guess what? They gain it right back. You know why? The quicker you take it off, the quicker you put it right back on...a quik fix. I know how it feels to be desperate to lose weight but it takes patients. Patients is something we have to have in any thing we do. Don't rush it. Take it slow and watch the pounds come off and stay off. Here are a couple of suggestions to help you get started:

1) Promise to jet right pass those fast food stops, remember they are quik fixes that are loaded with preservatives that wants to make a permanent forever home around your belly. In the first three months of omitting fast food from my diet, I lost about 15 pounds and my cholestrol dropped from 140 to 120 then down to 100.

2) Get moving! Not taking about killing yourself at the gym about 2-3 hours. We're talking baby steps. 30 mins a day and if you're busy like me, break them up into 3 sets of 10minutes each. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes is what you need per day to have a healthy heart.

3) Eat the Rainbow! Add color to your meals; onion, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, etc. All these veggies add vitamins, minerals macronutients that the body needs to function. You can't get these things eating fast food, cakes and potatoe chips (those quick fixes).

Hope these couple of suggestions help! We know that God gives the increase (as Paul speaks in 1Corinthians 3:5-7) and all He has to do is speak it, but we must still do our part and plant the seed of health in our bodies.
First of all, we need to stop with the quick fixes. I've heard of people starting these crazy fad diets where they lose 15+ lbs in a week. But then guess what? They gain it right back. You know why? The quicker you take it off, the quicker you put it right back on...a quik fix. I know how it feels to be desperate to lose weight but it takes patients. Patience is something we have to have in everything we do. Don't rush it. Take it slow and watch the pounds come off and stay off. Here are a couple of suggestions to help you get started:

1) Promise to jet right pass those fast food stops, remember they are quik fixes that are loaded with preservatives that wants to make a permanent forever home around your belly. In the first three months of omitting fast food from my diet, I lost about 15 pounds and my cholesterol dropped from 140 to 120 then down to 100.

2) Get moving! I'm not talking about killing yourself at the gym on 2-3 hour workouts. I'm saying start with baby steps. 30 mins a day and if you're busy like me, break them up into 3 sets of 10minutes each. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes is what you need per day to have a healthy heart.

3) Eat the Rainbow! Add color to your meals; onions, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, etc. All of these veggies add vitamins, minerals, and macronutients that the body needs to function. You can't get these things eating fast food, cakes and potatoe chips (those quick fixes).

Hope these couple of suggestions help! We know that God gives the increase (as Paul speaks in 1Corinthians 3:5-7) and all He has to do is speak it, but we must still do our part and plant the seed of health in our bodies.