Psalm 19:14
Category Archives: thoughts
Psalm 139:13-14
“For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
Psalms 139:13-14 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.139.14.NASB2020
We are created by God, in His image. This means we have a spirit, soul, will, intellect, and more that reflect who God is.
God put us together from our hair color, to our organs to our DNA. He is the one who designed us and detailed us just the way He wanted us. We may not always like our hair or noses or talents and skills but He loves us as we are.
We should praise God because He doesn’t make junk. Even though we don’t always see ourselves in the best light, His love for us sees beyond our imperfections.
If you’re feeling a little down-in-the-dumps today, let this verse be an encouragement to you in knowing that God not only made you but He made you intentionally, not accidentally. He has a purpose for you and not only does He love you unconditionally but He likes you just the way you are, freckles and all!
Dealing With Temptation: A Biblical Overview
Temptation is something we all must face, even for the Christian. In fact, a Christian may struggle with temptation more so than others because of the simple fact that the Christians want to please God and not themselves. In this article, I hope to give some helpful tactics to dealing with temptation from a Biblical perspective and offer some very practical help.
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
James 1:14 ESV
Before we move on, let me define what temptation is. A temptation could be defined as anything contrary to God’s best for us. It could be found in the form of disobedience, a struggle or rebellion against God and His plan and purpose for us. In James 1:14, we see a clear definition of temptation: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (James 1:14 ESV). Temptation being that desire inside of us which draws us away from God. When we yield to that desire, or temptation, that is when we sin. Temptation itself isn’t sin but when we give in to the temptation is when our relationship with God and others suffers.
Here are a few practical things to consider when being tempted.
Pray. Yes, pray! I know it seems so basic and elementary and yet it is so necessary when we are being tempted. The scripture is clear that we are to always be in prayer. Temptation often comes to break our fellowship with God. It’s when our minds and flesh are being drawn to satisfy itself with something other than God’s provision. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to be praying always. When we remain in a posture of prayer, temptation can be lessened.
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18 NKJV)
Prayer needs to be our first line of defense. Not our last. Call out to Jesus immediately when you sense temptation rising because according to 2 Peter 2:9: the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…
Prayer needs to be our first line of defense. Not our last.
George Lockhart
Resist. Part of our problem in dealing with temptation is that we don’t fight very hard for very long. It can be hard to say no but say no the first time. The second time. The third time. Keep saying no each and every time until the temptation is gone.
I think of Jospeh in Potipher’s home when considering this point. To recap a little for you, Joseph is a good looking, young man with a bright future. He is in the house with Potipher’s wife continually, who is constantly tempting him to have a sexual relationship. You can read the story in Genesis 39. Part of the story informs us that this was a daily temptation for Joseph. Look at his response though:
7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. Genesis 39: 7-10
One can clearly see that Joseph had to resist day after day, time after time. He said “no” once, twice, every time. We have to say “no” once, twice, every time, if we are going to overcome temptation. The scripture tells us that it’s when we resist the devil that he flees from us. James 4:7 says: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
We have to say “no” once, twice, every time, if we are going to overcome temptation.
George Lockhart
Even as we resist the devil and he flees, there are times when that temptation may continue from other people or even within. What should we do then?
Run. As the story of Joseph continues, we see another crucial step in dealing with temptation and that is running! There may be instances when resisting means running out of a situation. Getting away from and removing ourselves from the situation that could cause us to fail may be the optimal thing to do. Look at this part of Joseph’s story:
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. Genesis 39:11-12
When the temptation doesn’t go away, we may need to get away…far away. Develop an escape route for yourself. Make a plan on what you will do when you are tempted with various things or in sundry ways. Then follow through with the escape plan. If your house is on fire and you have a fire escape plan, it does you no good if you don’t take it!
When the temptation doesn’t go away, we may need to get away…far away.
George Lockhart
Fill Your Mind With the Right Things. There is no doubt that our minds are often filled with slogans, lyrics, sayings and even self-talk that is not God-focused. It is imperative for Christians who desire to please God to know God’s Word. How can we do what God wants if we don’t know what He wants? One of the best ways to know what God wants is to read and study His Word.
God has given us His Word to help guide us in life with decisions and with accomplishing His plan and purpose. When Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted, Jesus used scripture to combat the devil. Matthew 4:3-4 gives us this important insight:
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Notice in that passage and others further along how Jesus says “It is written”. Jesus relied on The Word of God when He was being tempted by the devil. Jesus quoted scripture and it worked for Him; it will work for you. Memorize scripture that has to do with the temptations and struggles you naturally face. Then quote them and pray them when you sense the temptation being presented to you.
Jesus quoted scripture and it worked for Him; it will work for you.
George Lockhart
Part of overcoming temptation is having our minds renewed and refreshed by God’s word. Romans 12:2 gives us this admonishment: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. When we choose to meditate and fortify our minds with God’s word, we have a much better chance in dealing with temptation properly.
Get help. Having a friend you can call or text when temptation is strong is a great asset. Some struggles are too much to handle alone. Find someone you know and trust and maybe just have a key word that you can share that lets them know you’re having a hard time. Remember this verse from James 5:16 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
When we reach out to others we will often find that the temptations we face are some of the very things others are dealing with also. It’s better to fight temptation together.
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
George Lockhart is the lead pastor at New Vision Church and president of Vision 2 Hear Ministries.
Jesus Says “I Am”
Matthew 22:39
It’s a very simple command that has life-altering results. Try practicing this command from Jesus this week.
Jesus knows
When you wonder if God knows you among the sea of faces…He does. He knows exactly where you are. He doesn’t have to use an app or a map to locate you; Google Earth has nothing on God! So today be encouraged that that there’s a God who knows exactly where you are physically, emotionally and spiritually. He is with you as you travel this road even though you’ve never been down it before. Listen for His careful direction. Because He knows where you are He also knows how to get you home. #onyourway #jesusknows #v2h #vision2hear #lifecoach #mentor #discipleship
V2H Update January 25, 2016
Another week has passed and here is some of what has been happening around Vision 2 Hear. As you may know, I recently returned from El Salvador. Upon leaving, I gave a little cash to Jorge to help with some work and celebration happening in Suchitoto as they would go this past weekend. From these pics, one can see they had a great time. We are grateful to be a small part of the larger work going on there, supported by friends from Oregon and Jorge and his family and ministry.
Vision 2 Hear El Salvador is helping this community with fresh clean water in conjunction with individuals from Oregon. We are also helping with ministry to all ages as seen in the pics above by providing school supplies, helping with education and discipling in Jesus’ name. Please continue to pray for our partners in ministry in El Salvador.
This event is coming soon and we need your help to make it successful. We are trying to generate support and help for many in El Salvador this season. There’s no greater time to show love than around Valentine’s Day!
Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars to express love. This year, why not share some of that love with kids from another country? We are challenging everyone to donate $30 toward the Love Feast, which is out 30-hour fast to raise money and awareness of needs around the world.
This year our efforts will go toward helping Daniel and paying his college fees, helping children from families of gangs and helping some of our deaf students. All of them reside in El Salvador. Please consider giving and participating in the fast during one of these weekends: New Vision Church February 12-13 or Havelock Korean Baptist March 4-5.
If you would like to make a charitable gift, you can do so by mailing a check to 2046 Khyber Pass Snellville, GA 30039 or giving online at paypal.com
WAVE Teams Are Back
All of the WAVE teams are back for a new season and things seem to humming along well. With teams in Hixson, TN, Lawrenceville, GA and Havelock, NC, WAVE is putting together it’s spring selections surrounding the theme for the year, AWAKEN. We are very excited about the launch of the new season and songs and anticipate God speaking to us and through us as we share. Continue to pray for the sign teams as they grow and go in Christ’s name.
What’s happening this week?
I’ll be leaving NC on Wednesday to go back to GA for a night. I fly out to Miami on Thursday to prepare for a conference where I was invited to speak and share music.
The Becoming A Woman Of Influence Conference is being hosted by a friend of mine from New City Church in Miami, Fl. The event will focus on inspiring women to take their God-given abilities and using them for God’s glory. I am privileged to be the only “male” speaker.
Then next Sunday I start a 3-week series called AWAKENINGS for my church. Our pastor recently resigned and so I am filling in speaking for the next three weeks. The series will follow the course of awakening faith. hope and love. I am excited and grateful to have the privilege to speak at my church. Please pray for New Vision Church as we transition and move forward into the great unknown.
The TN Movement has made steps toward becoming their own entity. Under the leadership of Terry Davis, longtime friend and board member of Vision 2 Hear, terry is also the pastor at the TN Movement.
For several years the gathering has met in a storefront location but recently outgrown it. For a few weeks now they have been praying, looking for and seeking out property to help in reaching more people for Christ.
I spoke to Terry last week and he informed me that a local church has offered to give them their church…yes “deed it over” to Vision 2 Hear and the TN Movement, along with their van and whatever funds were still in their bank account. That church had decided to dissolve and wanted to give it to another church. We praise God for his miraculous works! Continue to pray for the TN Movement as they process the paperwork to become an official church in TN and move forward with the doors God has opened!
A trip to India has been scheduled but of course, it’s not possible without generating the needed funds to make it happen. Over the course of the next several days I am trying to generate about $1200 toward the trip which would include airfare and money toward hosting the WAVE team conference for the children at S.A.C. in India. If you would like to help with this trip, please follow this link to give using paypal.com
Thanks! Update coming again next week!
George
What Do You Expect?
What do you expect from God today? It could be any number of blessings. But there is no greater or more glorious gift than God giving Himself to us. Today as you journey through life, be expectant to see God in new a wonderful ways and remember it’s God giving Himself to you.
Comment back on how God has shown Himself to you lately.
Three Things I’m Learning As I Get Older
Football illustrates life in many ways.
Football illustrates life in many ways. #vision2hear #football #win #coach #lifelessons http://ow.ly/i/efitq
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