“Your convictions are only as strong as they hold up under pressure.” — Streams in the Desert devotional

Several years ago, our pastor presented the acronym “H.A.L.T.” while preaching about the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle and sound mind, especially before making important decisions. The sermon stressed the importance of thinking before acting, especially when people experience extreme Hunger, Anger, Loneliness, or when they are Tired.

I’ve never forgotten the acronym — it has indeed become a valuable tool that I’ve used many times before jumping into action or speaking out of impulse.

Hunger. Anger. Loneliness. Weariness — hundreds of studies have been conducted about the effects of these sensations or emotions in the human body. Whether they impact our physical or emotional well-being, no question conquering them or surrendering to the impulses they generate can be the difference between success or defeat, peace of mind or turmoil.

In the fourth chapter of the gospel of Matthew, we find a perfect illustration of how Jesus overcame temptation at a time of great hunger, loneliness and weariness. In that chapter, Jesus had left Galilee after his baptism in the Jordan River and entered the Judean wilderness, where he stayed for 40 days without food or water in preparation for the onset of his ministry. The same account is in the Gospels of Luke and Mark.

In the fourth chapter of the gospel of Matthew, we find a perfect illustration of how Jesus overcame temptation at a time of great hunger, loneliness and weariness.#MondayMotivation #MondayDevotionals #OvercomingTemptation
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After 40 days, the Gospels tell that Satan appeared to tempt Jesus, offering three things: food, possessions and power. With each statement, the devil tried to lure Jesus into denying and disobeying God, at a time when his body was weak. For each temptation, however, Jesus debunked his enemy by quoting passages in the book of Deuteronomy. As a result, St. Matthew writes that Satan “left him, and angels came to attend him.”

The following chapters of Jesus’ story tell the significance of the wilderness experience. Jesus went back to Galilee, where He started His ministry by selecting His disciples, teaching in synagogues and healing the sick. Wherever He went, His miracles displayed the power that could have freed Him from the wilderness temptations and hardships. And yet, because the wilderness had a purpose and obedience was the only way to fulfill it, He chose the “road less traveled.” His convictions overpowered the temptations and weaknesses every time.

The account of the temptation of Jesus has been widely used by writers and preachers through the ages to teach Christians that Jesus modeled the secret to overcoming our weaknesses: God’s word. I wholeheartedly agree that anchoring our hearts in Scriptures is undoubtedly a way to remain committed to obeying him.

But the truth is, many of us have met people who know the Bible and can quote Scriptures like nobody’s business, and yet, have fallen into deep sin, often wrecking their lives and the lives of people who followed and believed them.

I believe that happens because many people underestimate the power of the flesh, often making bad decisions when they’re too weak to stand firm in their convictions or by getting too close to things that have the power to become strongholds in their lives.

People underestimate the power of the flesh, often making bad decisions when they’re too weak to stand firm in their convictions or by getting too close to things that have the power to become strongholds in their lives.
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We all know our Achilles’ heel. We just often choose to ignore it. As a result, if we are not careful, seemingly innocent situations or choices can become mammoth strongholds, with the power to utterly destroy our lives.

Jesus used God’s word to defeat the Tempter. But beyond that, he knew Satan’s objective: to destroy God’s purpose for His life. His confidence that God had a plan was more compelling than any appetite. He quoted Scriptures because its truths were so ingrained in His heart that nothing would sway Him away from his destiny. Likewise, our unwavering convictions may be the only wall standing between giving in to temptation or remaining committed to obeying and trusting God.

Jesus' confidence that God had a plan was more compelling than any appetite. He quoted Scriptures because its truths were so ingrained in His heart that nothing would sway Him away from his destiny. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotionals…
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There is no question about it: You will be hungry, angry, lonely or tired at some point. When you are, temptations will knock at your door.

Jesus did not wait until Satan showed up to make up His mind — He was prepared for battle. Likewise, it would be wise to decide ahead of time to “halt” before diving into that which can destroy our lives, lest our convictions crack under pressure.

Jesus did not wait until Satan showed up to make up His mind — He was prepared for battle. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotionals #OvercomingTemptation
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, October 24, 2020. Click HERE to see it on the AJC’s website.

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“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened.” — Winston Churchill

Aneurin Bevan, also known as Nye Bevan, was a Welsh Labor Party politician who acted as minister of health in Great Britain’s post-war government between 1945 and 1951.

During his time as a politician, he became known as a harsh critic of those whom, he believed, “opposed the working man.” Among others, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a primary target of his verbal attacks. The ideological differences between the two gentlemen created animosity that became widely known in the political arena, as well as to the public in general.

Late former Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker told the story of the day Winston Churchill, sitting in the House of Commons, received the message that his enemy, Nye Bevan, had just died. After receiving the news, Churchill bowed his head: “A great man, a brilliant man, a tragic loss,” he muttered under his breath.

Some minutes later, a member of parliament came to Churchill to inform him that the press was waiting to get his “heartfelt opinion on Nye Bevan.”

Churchill thought for a moment, then looked up, circumspectly, and said, “Are you sure he’s dead?”

The Prime Minister, known for his severe demeanor and strong opinions, dreaded to be forced to act as a politician, instead of speaking his heart.

This story about Churchill somewhat reminded me of something that I personally struggle with.

I too find myself in a quandary when someone I love continually makes the wrong decisions. And the struggle becomes even harder, when the person in question does not take criticism in a positive way.

In such circumstances, we must decide: Do we ignore their bad choices, and even nod our heads in approval, or do we fearlessly speak up, confronting them with the truth?

Is love ignoring someone's bad choices, or does it mean we speak up,confronting them with the truth?
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It seems to be a no-brainer, doesn’t it? If we see someone we love heading for trouble, we warn them. That’s the right and loving thing to do.

But we all know this is easier said than done, mostly because defensive people usually justify their wrongdoing, sometimes even quoting the Bible and saying that “God told them” to do so and so.

I’m always amazed at the things God gets blamed for.
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Why even bother, right? Why should we tell the truth, no matter what?

I found my answer this morning, while reading a bible passage in the book of Second Kings.

Israel had been divided into the Northern and the Southern kingdom, and the two kings decided to join forces and fight against one of their enemies together.

As it had become the custom, they summoned 400 so-called prophets to inquire about their decision. All 400 false prophets encouraged the kings to gather their armies and take over the enemy’s territory. But then, Micaiah, a true prophet, boldly dared to deliver a completely different message: If they went into battle, they would certainly die.

Even though he knew the kings would not heed his counsel, he risked his life by going against the kings’ wishes, and chose to honor God’s word.

He chose to tell the truth, at all cost.

Telling the truth is not always a matter of life and death, as it was for the prophet. And sometimes — I get it — holding our tongue can be a wise, political move, as it was for Mr. Churchill in the death of his political adversary.

But when it comes to my family and friends, I am asking God to help me to be bold, and love them enough to confront them, rather than condoning their wrongful actions. I don’t ever want someone I love to one day look me in the eye, and say: Why did you not say something?

This article was published on Patricia’s weekend column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) on Saturday March 18, 2017.

The post LOVE Sometimes means confronting with TRUTH {Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

FREE Copy: Insidious Enemy 10.13.14

Passage: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Key Verse: “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

The location of Corinth made it a crucial center point for the cultures of the East and West in Paul’s days. Located between the Gulf of Corinth (Adriatic Sea) and the Saronic Gulf (Aegean Sea), Corinth became an important commercial and military center for the Roman Empire.  It was also a major cultural center of the Greco-Roman world, hosting the bi-annual Isthmian Games, which began in 581 B.C. at the Temple of Poseidon. Then in 146 B.C., after a revolt against Rome, Corinth was destroyed and later rebuilt to become a Roman Colony where Roman soldiers retired. During the Greek reign in Corinth, the temple to Aphrodite rose imperially more than 1880 feet above the plain. Before it was destroyed by an earthquake that assailed the city around 150 years before Paul arrived there, more than 1,000 prostitutes were part of daily fertility cults in this temple.

A place filled with spiritual darkness.

A mesh of two ungodly cultures tangled the city where one of the first gentile churches began. In the center of it all, one of the largest synagogues outside of Jerusalem hosted a large number of Jews. Many of them, new believers. Of all the cities where Paul planted the first churches across the Roman Empire, Corinth was the place where he met the strongest opposition. The Corinthian church was factitious, prideful and rebellious, highly influenced by Jewish false teachers and by the sensuality surrounding the pagan city.

An affluent, ungodly society.

Christians struggling to remain faithful to God’s Word while living in the midst of much darkness.

Leaders compromising the doctrines of Christ to fit their lust and pride.

Does that picture look familiar?

Although Corinth is no longer the prominent city of old, its spirit is alive and well today. And unfortunately, just as it did in the ancient empire, it continually spills its lies into the modern church.

Indeed, many teachers and preachers nowadays are compromising the truth of God’s Word, by either omitting important doctrines from their teaching, or emphasizing self-help principles instead of Truth.

It saddens me to realize that many Christians follow them, blindly accepting their half-truths and compromise. Worse yet, their compromise and feel-good theology are leading many “truth seekers” straight into hell.

Their teaching soothes the wounds, but does not heal.

It pleases the crowds, but not the Father.

It’s dangerous and it’s spreading like fire.

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Galatians 5:9

Compromising God’s Word is one of the worse threats for a Christian. Once we start interpreting it to fit out personal views, we allow Satan room to twist the entire truth of the Gospel. We can easily see that happening as certain teachers or preachers start by twisting the truth just a bit, only to end up completely disregarding critical doctrines such as salvation through faith in Christ alone.

The church in Corinth was facing that same peril. Thus Paul, in his candid, prophetic way of speaking Truth, reminded them of who is behind every compromise and how to fight it:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”  (Vs:3-5)

The first realization is that the war against the church is spiritual.

Satan has declared war against mankind in the Garden of Eden and there he pledged to stop redemption’s plan. He failed. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan on the cross. Ever since then, the message of salvation has redeemed people throughout the centuries. Satan cannot stop it.

If Satan cannot defeat the message of the cross, he’ll distort it. If he can’t stop us from proclaiming the gospel, he’ll help us proclaim just enough truth to pacify men’s hunger for God, mixed with a whole lot of lies to keep them from actually receiving salvation. Or, to the believer, he’ll feed us just enough lies to keep us from receiving God’s best.

The second realization is that we possess the weapon to fight his lies.

We have the weapon that can “destroy any speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.”

That weapon is God’s Word. We must read it. Study it. Digest it.

We must take everything we hear into the light that shines from it.

We must push every thought and action through the grid – Does it contradict scripture… or support it?

Does it glorify God? Or men?

The skies are getting darker, friend.

Satan is pushing hard in his last attempt to condemn the world to eternal death. And render the church of Christ powerless and ineffective.

Everything around us is changing.

As the salt of the earth and light of the world, we cannot allow him to change US.

Therefore, pick up your Weapon of war and handle it daily. Before you listen to me… or to the most eloquent evangelists out there…. Listen to the Word.

Listen to ho Logos. The Word that became flesh to redeem you. The Word that is alive and speaking to you with the same power that it did almost 2,000 years ago when the Corinthians opened their second letter from their beloved leader.

Listen to The Word.

Because the battle for your mind and for the lost souls is raging.

And you must take every thought captive in order to win it.

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