“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.

The post Will Your Convictions Crack Under Pressure {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

One of the most beautiful sceneries that I recall from those days was the sight of the lake at night. As you drove on the interstate beside it, the vision would fool any stranger to the area. One could swear that the lake was instead a village, filled with street lights. Around 5 p.m. each day, our neighbor fishermen would come by grandma’s house, carrying their nets in large wicker baskets, along with kerosene lamps that would go on the poles by their fishing site. One by one, the fishermen would set their trap to catch shrimp, using giant nets and a small kerosene lamp.

The fishermen in the village know it too well. The shrimp in that lake will not come unless the light attracts them. No light, no shrimp.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus challenged his disciples to be fishers of men — something he reiterated in what is known as the Great Commission later in that chapter. His command in the Great Commission was that his disciples would spread the good news of salvation to the world. But in that first passage, when he called his followers to be fishers of men, Jesus’ words pierce a little deeper into our spiritual makeup. He challenges his followers to shine God’s light wherever they go so that they may attract people, not by their words alone, but by their acts of love.

I love God’s wisdom poured through this teaching. Like the fishermen in my childhood village, we cannot fish in the dark either. As a matter of fact, if our light does not shine wherever he plants us, people are more likely to flee, not flock, to the God we preach.

We cannot fish in the dark. As a matter of fact, if our light does not shine wherever He plants us, people are more likely to flee, not flock, to the God we preach. #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation #Jesus
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I have seen it one too many times. Children of churchgoers (and even ministers) rebelling against God because their parents’ talk and their walk did not match. How many people cringe at the name of Jesus because they were around self-righteous Christians whose words did not translate into actions?

The apostle Paul said it this way in his letter to the Ephesians: “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Ephesians 5:8 #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation #Jesus
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Indeed, we should take this light-shining business seriously because the implications of having an unsavory and dim life can be devastating.

We may go to church every Sunday, serve on 10 committees, sing in the choir and teach, but if we come home and make our family life miserable because of an inconsistent walk, we will push the fish swimming near our nets away from God instead of closer to him. And what kind of Christian would I be at work, if I had verses hanging all over my cube, but was known as the office gossiper? Or did a careless job?

In 2012, I came across a beautiful song titled: “What will they say when you leave?” That was the year I had cancer only months before my brother-in-law died in a tragic accident. It was a truly challenging year for my family and me.

During that time, the reality that life is but a vapor challenged me like never before. It was also then that I often pondered the fact that, when life is over, everything that we strive so hard to acquire is left behind. Only the gestures that show that we care truly remain: the times we wipe tears away and kiss booboos. The times we said, “I love you.” The forgiveness we extend when someone hurts us. The smile that we offer when no one else seems to care. These little beacons of light are indeed the only meaningful heritage of our journey on earth.

When life is over, everything that we strive so hard to acquire is left behind. Only the gestures that show that we care truly remain. #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation #Jesus
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“What will they say when you leave?” That’s a good question indeed.

I used to say that it did not matter what people thought about me, but that has changed through the years. In a sense, it does matter, for I hope that every time I leave a room or, ultimately, the day I leave this world, people will say that the Gospel I believed in and preached about reached past my words and into my daily walk.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s Column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday – December 8, 2019. Find it here: AJC Website

The post What Will They Say When You Leave? {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.