Category: Inspiration

Run From Sexual Sin!

1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”

We live in a culture that promotes sexual sin. People are encouraged to live as they please and do whatever feels good to them. God is wise and He understands the human heart. He knows exactly what we need to live abundant lives. The enemy on the other hand, uses deception to try and convince us that what God told us not to do, is something we need to do to be happy. It’s the same trick he used in the garden with Adam and Eve. He is the father of lies (John 8:44). We can avoid his lies by applying God’s truth to our lives.

When it comes to sexual sin, the Bible says to run! Sexual sin is not something that we can play around with and still effectively serve God. It ruins lives in countless ways. It brings harm to adults, as well as children. It destroys marriages and steals from singles. I heard a pastor once say, that the majority of the people who come to him for counseling, are there because of consequences related to sexual sin.

Photo by: Leon Macapagal of Chicago, Illinois, USA 🇺🇸

We as Christians must honor God with our bodies. It’s not easy to walk in sexual integrity in the world we live in today, but it is possible. The Holy Spirit is with us giving us strength to do God’s good will. We also need to continuously renew our minds with the Word of God. Don’t be afraid to cut off people and things that are hindering your sexual purity. Remember the enemy is an expert at making things seem innocent or harmless in the beginning. He will attempt to prey on us, especially in our vulnerable seasons of life. However, the One who lives in us is greater. When we repent of sexual sin, He will bring healing, restoration and freedom. His grace is sufficient for our needs.

When the temptation of sexual sin comes knocking on the door of your heart, don’t answer. Instead RUN! And RUN FAST!

P.S.

And DON’T look back!

Jesus, A Donkey, and His Father Part 4

For those of you who have been following this series, I’m sharing part 4 today that was posted by big brother Matt @ Jesusluvsall . His post reminds us of the joy and hope of meeting Jesus! Enjoy! 🤗

In April it was a blessing to host my first blogger chat. Out of that chat came the idea to do a blog chain on the topic Jesus, A Donkey, and His …

Jesus, A Donkey, and His Father Part 4

Nothing Is Too Hard For God

Jeremiah 32:17 NLT, “O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”

Nothing is too hard for our God! What a powerful truth this is. Every new day that God blesses us to see, we can rest knowing that He is sovereign over all things, including the specifics of our lives.

Photo by: Sagui Andrea of Italy 🇮🇹

We have the honor and satisfaction of knowing that the same God who made the heavens and the Earth, loves us more than we can even imagine. He is always available to us, all we have to do is call to Him and He will answer (Jeremiah 33:3).

Never hesitate to call out to our ever present, all wise God. He will uphold you and strengthen you. Nothing is too hard for Him!

How Are You Doing?

Matthew 6:34 NIV, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

I know that at times not worrying about tomorrow can seem easier said than done. With all that is going on in the world, especially with the current worldwide COVID-19 crisis, we can be left feeling unsettled because things seem so uncertain. Many are experiencing financial distress, loneliness, or loss of loved ones. The news reports are constantly changing and constantly contradicting one another. Quite frankly, things in the news just don’t even make sense half of the time. I like to remember that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). His will for us as His children, is to walk in His peace.

Photo by: Radu Florin of Romania 🇷🇴

I hope you are doing okay, and I encourage you to not become discouraged. God is always in control, therefore He always has a plan and He will supply our needs. True, we may not always understand the details of His plans, but we don’t have to worry about today or tomorrow. As Christians we don’t have to feel pressured to have all the answers. Instead we can pray continuously, hide God’s Word in our hearts, obey His Word, and keep trusting in His unwavering faithfulness. Don’t let go of your hope in Jesus.

I want to share these two posts that I found to be very encouraging. I believe you will too. God bless you! I’m praying for you.

Ada @ Adascorner wrote: What is Your COVID-19 Soundtrack ?

Beverley @ Becoming the Oil and the Wine wrote: Refuting the Negative Words of Covid-19

Photo by: Hassan OUAJBIR of Morocco 🇲🇦

Jesus, a donkey, and His Father – Part 3

Just in case you missed Parts 1 & 2 by Kelly and Deandra, you can read them HERE.

As I read Matthew 21:1-11, the word “GO” that is found in verse two popped out at me, and has lingered in my thoughts over the last several days.

Matthew 21:2 ESV reads, “saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.”

Jesus said, “GO”. I thought of how, like the disciples, we must be obedient when the Lord tells us to GO. The command to GO doesn’t always have to mean becoming a missionary in a foreign land, although that is a wonderful thing. We can see from this verse, that GO can be simple. GO can be something that seems menial to us, yet has an impact that changes the course of our lives or the lives of others.

What if the disciples had questioned Jesus when He told them to GO? What if they had refused to obey Jesus, because they reasoned that his request for them to GO didn’t make any sense? Things would have certainly turned out differently. I’m thankful they obeyed.

Matthew 21:6 ESV, “The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.”

The Lord prepared the way for them as they set out on their task. According to verse three, all they had to say if anyone gave them a hard time about taking the donkey and colt, is that, “the Lord needs them”. Jesus said in Matthew 21:3 ESV, “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

When we are about our Fathers business, He will supply all we need. He will also intervene on our behalf when people or other obstacles try to rise up against us. Sometimes people will be completely unaware that they are instruments being used for God’s purposes. He has all the details arranged, we just need to choose to obey.

The Lord commands us to GO in many ways, big and small. He will strengthen us and equip us for the tasks He calls us to do. I pray that every day, our hearts would be willing to GO as the Holy Spirit leads us. Our Heavenly Father has purposeful and rewarding work for us to do, work that has an eternal purpose.

Overcome Evil With Good

Romans 12:21 NIV, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Nowadays we have many opportunities to overcome evil with good, but it all starts in our own hearts. Keeping our focus on Jesus and keeping our minds renewed with His Word, will equip us to choose good when confronted with evil. It helps to remember that goodness lives within us through the Holy Spirit. He empowers us to choose right over wrong and live boldly in God’s truth.

Photo by: Min An

Walking in the ways of Jesus shines light in this dark world, and shares His love with those around us. Putting love into action will surely overcome evil, because love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). Even if you feel like you are in last place for doing good to those who you feel don’t deserve it, trust God and do good. Remember, God says as you humble yourself before Him, He will lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6). God will honor us and lift us up for doing good. So don’t lose heart, keep on overcoming evil with good in the name of Jesus.

Consider it Pure Joy

James 1:2-3 NIV, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Joy may not always be our first response when faced with trials. Instead it may be fear, worry, confusion, or anger, just to name a few. Trials cause us discomfort, and tend to alter our lives in someway, and of course that is not something we are eager to embrace.

However, because we have Jesus, we don’t have to walk through our trials alone. He is always by our side. His presence with us is the reason we can, “consider it pure joy” when faced with trials. God’s Word assures us, that as our faith is tested, we learn to trust Him more and develop perseverance.

Photo by: Pixabay

Maintaining our faith in Jesus, and not giving up in the midst of trouble, puts us in a position to experience the joy of the Lord. Everything that occurs in our lives may not be good, but God has promised to work all things out for our good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Whatever trials you may be facing today, take heart and know that God is with you. I pray His joy and love will fill your heart, and that praise to Him would continually be on your lips, as you keep hoping and trusting in His holy Name.