October 30
Today's Reading: Jeremiah 20; 2 Timothy 4
Today's Thoughts: Trust in God's Strength
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
An ex-boyfriend of mine quoted First Corinthians 10 verse 12 as a warning that I should not get serious with the man who would become my first husband. Oh, how this verse haunted me through that entire relationship! I really thought that in my own strength, I could make anything work. I was taking comfort in my own abilities, living according to my own will. Well today, I can call that ex-boyfriend a prophet because he was right. I thought I was strong. I, alone, thought I could keep a marriage together. I thought that if I prayed really hard then my husband would change. I wanted him to have a heart for the Lord first, as well as for me. But instead, I was deluding myself in thinking that I was strong enough to carry the marriage. So when my marriage fell apart, so did I. Not only did I find myself falling into a divorce but into a weakness that opened the door to much temptation. Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever go from one extreme to another? One moment, I am telling myself I can do anything. Then, the next moment, I am too weak to even think about making a right choice, so I make a mess as I go my own way.
We are tempted by opportunity as much as by desire. Temptation is constant and sneaky. Because sin can be enjoyable, our flesh can seem to move faster and can speak louder than our hearts. Next thing we know, we are going with the feeling of the moment, giving into temptation while hurting ourselves.
First Corinthians chapter ten verses 12 and 13 are the balance to a pendulum lifestyle. We should never rely on our own strength. Our strength comes in Christ alone through the power of the Holy Spirit. And by looking at Jesus, temptation does not need to overtake us. God is so faithful. Just by keeping our eyes on Him, calling out to Him, desiring Him more than the feeling at the moment, He will provide a way of escape every time. Sometimes it comes through people's warnings, pastors' teachings, the Word of God and/or a still small voice.
We need to be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit so we can recognize the way of escape. God is faithful to us in all things. He will answer and will make you stand if you look to Him for strength instead of your own. Trust in His strength today.
Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.
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