Uniquely Personal Temptations

My chocolate cake made with Southern Living's Fudge Pecan Ripple Layer Cake recipe.

Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 KJV

You’ve heard statements like these.

"I have a weakness for chocolate."

"I love warm bread and butter."

"I can't resist ice cream."

Indeed, we hear confessions like these all the time. It would seem that we all know the weaknesses of our appetites. But do we know our spiritual weaknesses as well as that? Have you ever considered that Satan knows your weaknesses?

As personal as our taste in food, what tempts each of us to sin is uniquely personal. It seems to me that temptations are finely presented by Satan to work on our personal spiritual weaknesses. He knows just what it takes to tempt us to sin. I had this "ah-hah" moment, viz., revelation, the other day after I had lunch with a friend.

I looked forward to this lunch date with an old friend I seldom see.  In advance of our meeting, I reconfirmed to myself the intention to avoid speaking about certain "subjects" which I suspected might come up--subjects, such as, a particular broken relationship. 

I knew that even a little nibble would serve up old history that could lead to tale bearing, gossip, gloating, and other unsavory stuff.

Yet, no sooner had she spoken the words, "And what do you hear of so-and-so?", my response came laced with lots of gossip. Indigestion quickly followed in the form of self-condemnation and guilt.

Temptation is like Satan or one of his minions saying, Let's see what it takes to get this soul to disregard God and His teaching. The devil is subtle and tempts us unaware; we must spot him at the point of his attack.  

Then, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Thanks to the Atonement, with the help of the Holy Spirit of God in us, we too can overcome temptation. 

Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 RSV

Iced tea and cheese cake with whipped cream ~ Google image

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  Many of you have noted that I am not posting on this blog as often as I once did.  Thanks for your concern and for bearing with me.  A new job and other projects are requiring much of my time and focus.  But I intend to continue writing as often as I can for Write Moments with God.  Your prayers are always welcome, as I continue to pray for those who are touched by these posts. Please feel free to leave your comments.  I appreciate you.

Hope and Confidence in the face of life's puzzles

An intriguing picture of baby Charlie "reading" the newspaper 

I’ve always loved putting together jigsaw puzzles, not only as a child, but as an adult. Whenever I hold a new puzzle in my hands, I shake the box, then I'm ready to master its 1,000 easy pieces. The designs and variegated hues and shadows intrigue me. As the pieces are fitted together, satisfying glimpses of the big picture come into view. I am master of its tiny universe.

Sometimes an elusive piece will send me searching high and low on the table and under it, examining every remaining piece until I find the elusive one. I enjoy the moment when I have put the final one into place to complete the picture perfect. 

Life simplified into 1,000 pieces in a box.  Thus, the perennial charm of puzzles, I guess. 

But, life isn’t 1,000 easy pieces. 

There are many puzzles in life and even in the Bible we read passages that puzzle us. We all find ourselves from time to time in muddles seemingly beyond our comprehension and control. Through persistence and prayer, we keep on working. By God’s mercy and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can understand.  But when we don’t, it's enough to know we can trust God.

We may want the big picture completed neatly now so we can see the results of all God plans to do in and through our lives. But, in reality, we can't know. God knows the beginning and the ending. Maybe God has given us a vision for who he wants us to be and we’re doing our best to work it out. We will see and understands parts of His plan for our lives, but some things we can't know and understand this side of eternity. 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

We’ve just celebrated holy week and I’m still rejoicing over the Cross of Christ, which has bridged the gap between God and man and made it possible for us to be brought back into relationship with God where the whole human race was designed to be in perfect communion with God from the beginning.  And it’s with Him my hope and confidence lies for the future.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

My grandson Charlie with birthday balloons

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  Always, I appreciate you. 

I hope you enjoy the grand-Mimi pictures (even if they have little relevance to the meditation). I hope they make you s m i l e.

Consider Him Who Can Save to the Uttermost

One of my dogwoods

For consider him [Jesus] that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3 KJV

Besides busy-ness getting in the way of my writing to you the last few weeks, the feeling of not being able to write anything worthy of this holy season prevented me. I have several incomplete devotions I started for this blog. But, that being said, I've watched the earth coming alive all around me with new birth. It’s the wonderful season of Easter when I am ever mindful of Jesus’ journey to the cross. I wanted to write a few words today to encourage you on your journey of faith.

This past month I studied the book of Job. I hope I will be sharing some meditations on that in the future. In some ways, Job foreshadows the life of Christ.

Job suffered the misunderstanding, anger, and scorn of even his friends who accused him of hypocrisy and sin. He suffered humiliation and blame. His wife advised him to curse God and die. His children were destroyed and Job lost all his earthly comforts and possessions. No man could help him. Besides that anguish, he suffered greatly in his body as Satan piled on to prove his point that man only serves God for the blessings. Job didn’t know the backstory, didn’t know that Satan and God had made a battleground of his soul – yet still, he trusted in the integrity of God.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Job 13:15a

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold…. Job 19:25-27a

Hope for Job was totally based on God.

Job longed for a mediator to plead his case before God. Job had no advocate: we do.

Praise God for the Cross of Jesus Christ.  

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

I took these today in my backyard -- if only I knew how.  3/28/2015

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God. I appreciate you. Sending prayers for a wonderful week.