While reading this morning, I knew the Lord was speaking again to a very deep place in my heart... I've been reading through a chronological version of the Bible and today's chapters were in Deuteronomy where God is giving Moses final instructions & reminders for Israel before they move into the promised land with their new leader, Joshua. So as I come to chapter 18, I glance at the sub-titles: Offerings for Priests and Levites, Occult Practices, The Prophet and dive in. After reading the previous OT books, a lot of this is beginning to look repetitious, but I move on. I resonate with the Levites, agree quickly with the avoidance of occult practices, and want the voice of the prophet. Oh, but I haven't noticed this before... Look at verse 16! For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”
I want His voice & presence to be near. I trust Him. I honour & fear only Him. I want Him to speak & move through me. This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children... Romans 8:15(MSG) No, sir, I will not yield! "They yielded to their intense cravings." Numbers 11:2 Cravings. Temptations. Unhealthy desires will not go away. We will continue to have them come across our path, our eyes, our appetites until we die. (Fun, eh?!) So, don't be fooled! A craving is not a sign that you need something, it is a sign that you want something. Need & want are very different from each other. Consider this; just because I committed to be faithful to one man (over 30 years ago now!) does not mean that I do not see or cannot be tempted to desire another. When I walked down that church isle and signed the marriage license, I did not become blind or desensitized to the world we live in. I would have to live as a hermit with no technology or people surrounding me to escape the visual & sensual propaganda that the devil throws my way. BUT, I made a vow. I chose to commit. I will not yield! So, don't be fooled! Temptation is always lurking around the corner, BUT you have Christ in your midst; the power of God to keep you from evil and to help you hold to your word. God is strong in your midst. Do not yield to temptation. Hold fast to your commitment and allow Jesus to be strong in you. Here are some great scriptures to hold on to ... 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. |
Inquiring MINDS
Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. 1 Kings 22:5
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