The Devil Made Me Do It?

 

Why do we as Christians often want to blame our all of our sin completely on the devil? To make ourselves feel better.? To avoid responsibility? To justify our actions? 

It really doesn't matter to God, what we do to try to get out of it. What does matter is this. Sin is sin. No matter how we slice it.

He has laid it out in his word what we need to avoid and if we choose to ignore those things that he tells us to avoid, then there are probably consequences to be had.

People can struggle with different sins. Addiction is a strong one for someone that maybe wanted to escape their problems and didn't know that God's way is always better when it comes to solving them. Before they know it, they are in deep. Even Christians can struggle with this kind of situation. 

We all struggle with sin. It is always at the door of our hearts, trying to get in to ruin our lives.

But some of us play that game, "The devil made me do it." and choose to continue on in whatever we are struggling with, to make ourselves feel better and less guilty.

Instead, we need to look to God's word:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

Get those first words, "there is no temptation..." zip, none, not a one that we can not escape with God's help.

We have no excuse to blame everything we do on the devil. He can only tempt us to do those things. But he cannot make us do them. And even when the temptations are too great for us to simply ignore him, God will make a way for us to bear it. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

Have a blessed day!

Peace or No Peace

 "Peace. Hump...what does that mean for me in my world? My life is falling apart. My husband wants a divorce. We are broke. Worst of all, my son is taking drugs. Jesus had it wrong. There isn't any such thing as peace. Look at what is going on in the world. How do you explain that?" She asked.

 "Real peace is not the absence of conflict or trouble." I explained. "Because Jesus said, '...in the world you will have tribulation.' "But notice he didn't make that part of the passage stand alone. Looking at it as a whole, he said this:

'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' John 16:33

"Real peace does not mean we will not have conflict in our homes, or even in the world. It means we will have it by knowing that no matter what is going on around us, whether near or far, we can trust and know that Jesus has our backs. Not only backs, but our whole being. 

And trusting that he is working everything out to our good. No matter what those things may look at to us ." Romans 8:28

Real Peace

It is not the perfect marriage. It is not money or material goods. It's not a perfect family. It isn't even world peace.

No matter what the world is trying to tell us, it is. It just isn't.

It is truly trusting that Jesus really did overcome the world. It means that when the storms come, or even if we constantly are living in them, he is there to walk us through them. To take care of us. Why? Because he loves us. Because that is just who he is.

What kind of peace do you and I have? It depends. Who do we trust? Ourselves. Others. The world.

Without Jesus, there is none.

Have a blessed day, Friends. Thanks for stopping by.

The Hardest Job in the World

 

Motherhood. Some say it is the hardest job in the world. I am no expert on the job market, But I agree that is has to be at the very top of the list.

Many teens have an unrealistic view of motherhood. Especially those that crave love that they are not getting at home, and so they go looking for it, in all the wrong places. With all the wrong people.

Many end up pregnant long before they should. But that isn't a bad thing, is it? Or is it?

After all, now they will have something to love and cuddle. One that will love them back and fulfill the need for the love that they have missed out on.

They don't realize that cuddling and loving their baby even though it has wonderful benefits, it also comes with a hard job. 

Those 2 am feedings, dirty diapers, sick babies. They aren't fun. And add other children in the mix, and lets just face it. It can become very difficult. Very quickly. Because motherhood isn't just all about gifts, attention and parties. 

It becomes real work.

But it can be awesome. Rewarding. Wonderful. even through the hard times. 

Let's look at Jesus' mother Mary. She was very young when she found out that she was to become a mother. Was she confused? After all, she hadn't even been with a man. Was she frightened? Her intended could have her put away for her infidelity which was the custom of the day if he would have chosen to. What would her parents say, let alone everyone else they knew? 

The fact is, no matter what her initial thoughts and feelings were, she trusted her God. And if he said it, she believed him and took up the challenge of motherhood that he had for her life.

When our own babies were on our way, did we think about Mary and Jesus? When our babies were born, and we first celebrated Mother's Day (no matter the day or month) that day, did we think about what God had planned for us and our child?

Maybe not. I know I didn't. I didn't even think about how my children were going to change my own life. Not even after the fourth one was born. 

But the fact is. It did change. More and more each time. And it often was hard. Because motherhood is hard at times. And yet, I am on the other end of it looking back and through all those hard times, it had been rewarding. And in many aspects it still is. But just as God got Mary through, he got us through as well.

Motherhood. Hardest job in the world? You betcha. But, without God, where would we be? I for one, do not ever want to know.

Happy Mom's Day to you. You deserve it

Falsely Accused

It is no secret that the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he can destroy. 1 Peter 4:8. 

If we can believe that at any time in our lives, we can sure see it now. All we have to do is turn on the news. The attempt to embarrass, accuse, and more, against Christians is rampant.

But what are we to do when it happens at our own doorstep?

The family member that I told you about yesterday has come under a great cloud hovering above him that has been created by the devil to make him look like a terrible person, let alone trying to break him down to curse God instead of loving Him.

There are many people in the Bible that the devil went after back in the day. I direct you to one-man in particular who God considered to be "upright, perfect, and one that feared Him." Job 2:3.

He (Satan) indeed was the accuser and did everything to get Job to become someone that would do and be just the opposite of the kind of man that he really was.

And who did he use to do that?

Job's own wife told him to "curse God and die." Talk about being an accuser.

But through all that he lost, eventually through his faithfulness to God, God rewarded him with even more than he lost.

 

I think if anyone in the bible can be our example today, Job is the one. No matter what we go through, we need to have the faith that God is working behind the scenes to get us to the place instead of denying Him, but where He will reward our faithfulness to Him.

Our family member will be rewarded by his faith in God at some point. God has a reason for letting him go through what he is. We don't know the whole reasoning behind it, but one day we will.

If you or someone you know is going through something similar, hang on to God with all you can. And when you can't hang on anymore, don't curse or deny Him, because it by is His strength that you will not lose the grip that holds you to Him.

Thanks for coming by today friends. God bless you!

True or False?

If you have ever been accused of doing something that you know you haven't done, can you really laugh at your accuser?

Good question. Because being accused of something repeatedly, especially by the same person or group of people can do a lot of damage to one's life. not to mention their self-esteem. 

I know, because a family member is going through this right now. With people that can do them irreparable damage, if they were a weak sort of person that did not stand up for what they believed. And for that reason, I know this person has indeed laughed at them at times.

For their stupidity. Let alone their ignorance. For the power that they feel is due them in society.

But is this right to do? Does God indeed laugh at the stupidity and ignorance of people?  Let's look at what He says:

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth, The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.  Psalms 37:12-13

God does laugh at the wicked. But what are we to do when we are attacked by these kinds of people that can make our lives miserable? Especially those of us that belong to God.  

David in the bible prayed this:   Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Psalm 3: 1-8

I don't think that it is a bad thing to laugh at those who show themselves to be foolish. Because some of their ideas are just incredulous. Sometimes just plain crazy. Stuff we can't believe what they are saying. My dad used to say, "It's better to laugh or you would cry." Some people don't deserve our attention any other way. 

But at the same time remember as David did that we belong to God and He and only He is our righteous defender against all the wickedness of the people that come against us.

Are there any other things we can learn about what we can do when our enemy is on the hunt for us. Come back tomorrow and we will check it out.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Be blessed and be a blessing to others! 

 

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

 

 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

Some of my extended family members have been having some real struggles lately. Some with co-workers. Others with members within their own family. It is easy for me to get wrapped up in their problems because I, as any mother can do, want to always believe my own family. And the case of one member, I have seen why they are in the position they are in, fighting for what is right against many wrongs.

And it is in my attitudes that I constantly have to daily take up my cross. In fact, not just daily, but hourly all day long on some days.

But what really does those words of Jesus, have to do with us today? Do we have the right to defend those we love against the unfairness of what they are going through? Even in our thoughts and or deeds?

It is certainly food for thought, and I will study on it and come back tomorrow to share what I have found. 

For today, rest in the God of your salvation. No matter what you or I are going through, He is close by waiting for us to ask him to communicate with Him.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. God be with you!

3 Biblical Rules to Pass On

 

While asking God what I should post for today, I ran found the following devotion that I think is excellent to share with you. You can find it as well as other wonderful words of wisdom here, if you choose to check them out.   Please read on:

Scripture offers: 

➧ the “Golden Rule” - “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).  

➧ the “Diamond Rule” - “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

But there’s also a negative rule. 

➧The “Sawdust Rule” involves hunting for specks of sawdust in other people’s eyes instead of recognizing the log in our own (Matthew 7:3).

Those who follow the Sawdust Code of Conduct judge others more harshly than they judge themselves. They overlook, excuse, or downplay their own sins but carefully scrutinize the sins of others, often judging other people’s intentions, motives, and hearts as well as their actions. Like the Pharisees, they may even spout Scripture and consider themselves superior to others (Luke 18:9-14).

But the Sawdust approach is always destructive. It causes people to lose friends, credibility, and discernment. In fact, God says He will judge such people more harshly (James 2:12-13).

Violating God’s principles always leads to loss, not gain.

When we judge others hypocritically we give up gold and diamonds for worthless sawdust.

Let’s choose God’s ways, dear Christians!

💗💗💗

Choosing God's ways? Indeed. We should always choose His ways above our own. Life can get so hard at times. But could we as Christians imagine it without Him? I don't know about others.

But for me, my answer is always, No!

Thanks for coming by, Friends

Have a blessed start to a new week!