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Respite For the Weary
Dear Children,I have mentioned to you several times the different “idols” that have the potential to take Christ off the throne of your heart. I thought I would list them one more time, so that you can always be on the lookout when Satan tries to persuade you with these things:money---I Timothy 6:9-11power---John 15:5pride---James 4:3-6sexual immorality---Col. 3:5-6complacency---Isaiah 32:9-17family or friends---Luke 9:57-62physical body---I Timothy 4:8fame---Romans 12:3materialism---James 5:1-6alcohol, drugs---Ephesians 5:18-21food---Phil. 3:18-19sleep---Proverbs 6:6-11legalism---Galatians 5:1-6, 18Notice some of these things seem quite innocent (family, friends, food). But realize, sweet ones, idol”worship comes as a result of putting any of these things I just mentioned as first in your heart and mind, expecting them to meet the need that only Christ can. Remember, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matt. 6:21). Keep your treasure in Jesus alone, and everything else will be added unto you. He promises to reward those who seek Him.Also, if you look at the list again, notice all these things are centered around self---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (I John 2:16). In a sense, you have made yourself “God”. Don’t go there, children; that is the world speaking to you. Continue to humbly ask God to help you focus on Him alone, so you may persevere in His will, not yours. Ask yourself often when you feel caught, “Is this thought, action or desire for Him, or is it for me?” And I will tell you this, if you are His child, He cannot help but answer this question for you, in love. . . .One way God shows love is by discipline. So, if you have put yourself up on His “high horse,” trying to meet all your own personal desires, He will give you the opportunity to get off in one of two ways; with a gentle rebuke or with a mighty buck. Which would you prefer? (Try not to even get on the horse!) Let God be God, children. And you be who you are called to be, His humble servant. If you focus on loving Him, and nothing else, your lives will be blessed, sweet ones, more than you can ever imagine. What a promise!
I love you
Dear Heavenly Father,I thank You for who You are: a holy and righteous God, full of marvelous light. Because of Your nature, You cannot tempt anyone with darkness and evil. I ask, however, that You will, with Your loving hand, lead my children’s hearts away from all these temptations that exist in the world today. Hide them, dear Father, in the shelter of the Most High and protect them in the shadow of Your wings. There, guard them from Satan’s cunning traps and snares. May they recognize the idols he will try to use in order to replace You as their one true God. Keep them, dear Lord, from any kind of love, lust, attitude, or addiction that will take You off the throne of their heart. Help them to know and believe there is nothing on this earth that can satisfy their soul, no matter how good it looks or feels or tastes or smells at the present fleeting moment. Instead, may they taste and see that the Lord is good . . .(Ps. 34:8). May You alone, O God, be their portion.Thank You, dear Father, for the promise of always providing a way of escape when temptations come. Rescue them by speaking loudly to their conscience, I pray. And then, in turn, may they call on You in time of need. Please fill their weak flesh with Your strong Spirit. Cause them to grab Your hand, because You are the only one who can pull them out of the miry clay! Please set their feet on the solid rock and establish their steps. May they realize, on this Rock, Jesus Christ, they will never be shaken. And I pray, dear Father, this is where they will choose to stand.
Amen
I John 5:19-21; Matt. 6:25-34; I John 2:15-17; Heb. 12:5-11; Is. 66: 1-2
James 1:13-16; Ps. 91:1-4; I Peter 2:11-17; Lam. 3:21-25; I Cor. 10:13; II Peter 2:9; Ps. 116:1-7; Matt. 26:41; Ps. 40:1-3
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:23-25
Dear Lord,
Help us to deny our fleshly desires on a daily basis. Instead, give us a driving desire to live by your Spirit. As we make decisions, small and big, remind us of how fleeting this world is; may we not get so wrapped up in its powers and pleasures that we lose our true identity in you. Amen.