Not Ensnared

Proverbs 28:6
An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices!


What does an evil man and a righteous man have in common: sin! Both sin. We all sin.

However, the difference between the two is that the evil man is ensnared and the righteous man is free!

Therefore, when a righteous man sins, he is to immediately confess it and keep singing. And just think about it. If we are singing and rejoicing, it's harder to keep sinning.

Now, Beloveds, to get us started. What do we sing and rejoice about? that's the next entry....I'll try to do it tomorrow! Must get off the couch for now and do something! I love you!

Above the Clouds

Beloveds, there will be times when you have cloudy (or stormy!) circumstances in your life.

They are ordained by God, but He calls you to rise above them.
I think of it as living "above the clouds". Have you ever been on an airplane when the take-off conditions are cloudy and gloomy? However, once you break through to a higher altitude, the sky is bright blue and completely clear.

In the same way, you can rise above your cloudy skies. But not by boarding an airplane, but by being in the Word. The scriptures are God's vehicle to peace and rest. Therefore, get plenty of it. Until it is running over. Even in the worst of circumstances, the clouds will fade and your faith will soar.

So, Beloveds, in your afflictions, turn your eyes upon Him, behold His beauty, and rest in His promises.
Ps 123:1-2
To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master.......
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us

An Unwanted Companion

Beloveds, as you journey to the "celestial city", an unwanted companion will frequently try to walk along beside you. Temptation. He's no friend. He will lead you to death. He's out to kill, steal, and destroy. The moment temptation emerges, kick it to kingdom come. It's the devil in disguise.

Lean now to recognize temptation. Learn to discern. Write down your weaknesses (or areas of temptations) and pray over them.
Sharpen your sword. Tap into the Word of God, God's primary means of of fighting sin.
Finally, find a godly friend to confess your sins to. Hopefully, that will be your mom and dad, who love you deeply and completely!

If you fail to do these things, you will be lulled into a spiritual stupor and ignorantly walk with your unwanted companion, who will lead you to death. (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)

But, by God's grace, beloveds, you can live victoriously. Here are a few verses to help!

James 4:7
Resist the devil and He will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Heb 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
I Cor 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, you provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure.

There are many more!

Humility

March 29, 2010 (written by Anne Ortlund)

What is basic, bottom-line Christianity? Well, think of the first words ever recorded that Jesus Christ preached – the opening words of the world’s most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The “poor in spirit”! God’s values are the opposite of ours. He says He will bless us if we’re humble; if we take the least prestigious place – at the table, or whatever; if we deliberately decrease and let Him increase.

And how much will He bless us? He will award us the entire kingdom of heaven – so great it’s beyond our understanding.

Friend, God’s way to up is down.

Said Samuel Rutherford of Scotland (1600-1661), “Be humbled, walk softly; down with your topsail. Stoop! Stoop! It is a low entry to go in at heaven’s gates.”

This will be a new direction for your heart-life.

Turn a corner