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More Than A Conqueror

High School. I remember being in High school and knowing that I wanted to be different and stick out from the rest. Not in an arrogant way, but just had a feeling that my life would look different. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Bone Cancer and was weirdly satisfied with the fact that it would be part of my story. You know, conquering the spirit of cancer and whatnot.

Battlefield

After beating treatment, I went back to high school and underestimated the battle between living in God’s presence and the enemy’s ways around me. God became the most real thing to me during treatment. But, transitioning into a new season, with people who hadn’t just experienced what I did was challenging. I guess you can say I had a humbling experience. A year went by and I felt alive again. My hair was growing back, and I was finding my confidence again.

Temptation Lies

This is when I hit a bump in my relationship with God. Temptation set in and alcohol, boys, and gossip were all a part of it. I gave in and got into a worldly relationship that took a major toll not only on my heart but also on my relationship with God. I turned to High school parties and toxic friendships to get me by. But, I say all of this to encourage somebody today who feels stuck. Someone who’s desperate for a way out of their circumstance.

A Way Out Of Temptation

You don’t have to stay there! Shame is the enemy’s tactic to get you to stay in the toxic, repetitive circle of your life! He is a liar! God wants to help you and in fact, He has a way out for you! In 1 Corinthians 10:13, it says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” There is always a way out! Temptation doesn’t have to rule your life. You’re capable of living your life powerfully and full of wisdom.

Your way out might look different than mine did. But, the good part is that both ways will end up right back at His feet.

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Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, He was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’ (Mark 4:1-4)

I read a story about a little boy that was in a small family market one afternoon and he was staring at the big beautiful apples. The store clerk noticed the little guy would pick one of the apples up and then lay it down. He did this about four times. The clerk approached him and asked, “Were you going to steal the apple?” The little boy responded, “I’m trying not to steal it.”

The Season Of Lent

Lent brings us into that time where we have become aware there are temptations that we have given into. We often don’t want to give in but, we find that while our spirit is willing to do what is right our flesh is often weak and fails us in our desire to do the right things.

Like the little boy who is tempted by the big red apple, the idea of taking it without paying is swirling around in his mind while at the same time he is doing all he can to not steal it.

We humans find ourselves weak in those areas that tempt us to do wrong. The season of Lent gives us opportunity to focus our attention on our weakness and spend that time in repentance and bringing our flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had fasted for forty days and this is where we have the idea for Lent being a forty-day (except for Sundays) time of self-denial, repentance, and preparing to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to do battle against those things which tempt us that throw us out of alignment with God’s will for our lives.

During His time of fasting for forty days, the devil came to Him and threw temptations at Him and we notice that Jesus countered those temptations with Holy Scripture. The lesson here is: fill yourself with the knowledge of scripture and you will be able to counter the temptations the devil throws at you.

Filled With The Word

Being a Christian is not a time to be lazy in a study of the Bible for in it there are answers to life’s situations and problems. It takes some digging but, if we fill ourselves with His Word, we will be able to respond to every situation that is thrown our way.

This is one reason why I will be leading a 5-week study at my church beginning March 21 at 6:30 PM. The title of this study is: “The Bible: A life guide to a better you”. I hope you will make plans to attend so that you can begin shoring up your spirit and knowledge of His Holy Word within your life. We can do this on-line for those who cannot attend in person. No charge.

The Gospel lesson for this First Sunday of Lent is Mark 4:1-13. Why was Jesus “full of the Holy Spirit”? (Clue: check Luke 3:21-22) What significance do the following references give to “wilderness” and “40 days”: Exodus 34:27-28, Deuteronomy 29:5-6, and 1 Kings 19:4-10? What was Jesus’ condition when the devil (or Satan = adversary, accuser) came to him? How does the devil act as an adversary here? How does Jesus deal with the devil’s offers?

How do you deal with the devil’s offers?

God’s way out

Temptation Is A Liar! There’s Always A Way Out!