Avoiding

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Avoiding Potential Temptations

1 Chronicles 14:12

"And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire."

Avoiding potential temptations is important to the success of your Christian life. David understood this importance, and he took some great steps to avoid these potential downfalls. It was a common occurrence for the heathen to take their gods to war as a belief that their presence would cause military success. God knew that this was the heathen's practice, so He commanded in Deuteronomy 7:25, "The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God." David obeyed this command and burnt the heathen gods so that they would not become a lure to the children of Israel.

It is important that every Christian learns to destroy potential temptations that could destroy them. One of the reasons many Christians fall into sin is because they allow potential temptations to stay in their presence. This is foolish because nobody is able to consistently be in the presence of temptation without it eventually overtaking them. If you don't want to yield to temptation, then you should destroy those things that could be potential temptations.

First, you ought to destroy those things that are potential temptations for everyone. There are some things that can tempt you because you are involved with their activities. For instance, when you are involved in sports leagues you could be tempted to miss church for a championship game. Being involved in a sports league is not sinful, but when they have games that would cause you to miss church, then they become sinful. You would be better off not joining the league so that you won't be tempted to miss church. You may say that you would never miss church when the pressure is not upon you, but when that pressure is applied, you could easily yield to the temptation by justifying one church service as not that big of a deal. This is just one area that I have used to illustrate temptations that everyone could face. Whatever could be a potential temptation in your life should be avoided.

Furthermore, you should destroy those things that are potential temptations unique to yourself. If you used to be involved in some sin, then you have a temptation that is unique to that sin. I recall a story about a young man who used to go to places where women would display themselves in a wicked manner. After this young man got saved, he was riding in the car with his pastor when they were about ready to pass by one of those establishments. This young man bent over and put his face in his lap and asked the pastor to let him know when they were past a certain street. The pastor asked this young man why he buried his face in his lap. The young man responded by telling the pastor that before he got saved he used to frequent a place that they drove by, and he found that the best way to avoid being tempted by this place was to never look at it again. He said when he was driving by himself, he would arrange his driving route so as to avoid driving by that place. You must do the same thing this young man did with any temptation that is unique to yourself. You must destroy any potential temptations that could cause you to go back into sin.

You know what you are tempted by or what could tempt you. If you want to avoid the sin that the temptation tries to lure you into, then destroy that temptation and you will destroy the possibility of committing the sin that that temptation would cause.

Leadership

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When Leadership Falls

1 Chronicles 10:4

"Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it."

The responsibility that leadership holds is greater than one would imagine. Most leaders have no idea how many they influence. There are two times when you will find out the influence of a leader: at their death, or if they fall. When Saul fell, it influenced many in an adverse way. I find that the same influence Saul's falling had on others is the same today when a leader falls. Let me show you several unfortunate results that happen when a leader falls.

First, it will cause others to spiritually die. Verse 5 shows us that when Saul killed himself his armourbearer committed suicide as well. Many times when a leader falls you will find people who will no longer serve the LORD. Many become so disenchanted with serving God after a leader's failure that they will never again step foot into a church. This is sad!

Second, when a leader falls it will affect their family. Saul did not die alone, but he had three sons who died with him. Many leaders who fall in sin never take into consideration the affects it will have on their family. If you love your family, you will avoid sin. Those who let sin destroy them may have to face the punishment for their sin, but they will never experience the deep hurt that the family must deal with. They not only have to deal with it personally, but they usually have to face the questions from outside the family as well.

Third, when a leader falls it will leave many brokenhearted. Think of all the people who were brokenhearted when Saul fell. The impact of a leader falling will hurt many. Those who greatly admired the leader will be hurt dearly. Yes, they will continue to go on, but the immediate hurt and questions will be substantial.

Fourth, when a leader falls it will give many an excuse to compromise. Verse 7 shows us that many people left their inheritance after Saul's death. We will never know how many people have compromised because a leader fell into sin. Though one's fall is never an excuse to compromise, that does not mean that it won't happen. You will always find many who will use their leader's failing as an excuse to compromise.

Fifth, when a leader falls it gives the heathen ammunition to back their ways. When Saul fell, the Philistines took his body and hung it up in the temple of their gods. We must understand that sin always brings reproach to God's name. Sin always hurts the cause of Christ.

Every leader needs to consider the ramifications of their actions. If you fall, many will fall with you. Every leader needs to consider their actions as to how it will affect those whom they lead. I believe many leaders would never commit sin if they would consider and understand the affects of their actions.

However, if your leader falls, instead of using it as an excuse to commit sin, use it as motivation to step up and do more for the cause of Christ. Verse 11 shows us that the men of Jabesh-gilead used Saul's failure as motivation to do right. If your leader falls, you are needed more than ever to step up. Unfortunately leaders will fall, but when they do, use it as a challenge to stay away from sin and to help more people for Christ's sake.

Strange choice

A Strange Choice

Psalm 135:4
"For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure."

Is it not strange that the LORD chose to use Jacob? When you look at Jacob's life, you would wonder why God would use such a character. Jacob lived a deceitful life. He deceived his brother and stole the birthright. He deceived his father by acting like Esau and getting the family's blessing. He deceived his father-in-law when it came to the cattle that were born. The fact is, Jacob was not someone whom you could trust. He was a man whose whole life was filled with deceit. Yet, the LORD chose "...Jacob unto himself,..."

This should encourage everyone who reads this that God can use you also. You must understand that you don't have to be perfect for God to use you. I know, the Devil whispers in your ear that you could never do anything for God, but you must realize he is doing this to discourage you from surrendering to God. The Devil knows that God will get the glory if He chooses to use you. Face it, most of the people in the Scriptures are of questionable character. David put out a contract to have a man killed. Moses killed someone with his own hands. Paul was a mass murderer before he got saved. Abraham had an affair with a woman that resulted in an illegitimate child being born. Peter had problems with a cursing tongue. Rahab had a very bad background. On and on we could go and see how God chose to use people of ill backgrounds. If God can use people like this, then certainly He could choose to use you if you would let him.

God does not choose to use people because of who they are, but He chooses to use people because of Who He is. You must understand this, God looks at His character and not your character. He knows what He can do with people whose backgrounds are not the greatest. He knows this His character can cover your character. In fact, God is simply trying to change the perception of who you are. You must stop thinking that God cannot use you because of who you are. You must realize that He chooses to use you because of Who He is.

Furthermore, God does not choose to use people because of what they have done, but He chooses to use people because of what He can do. Yes, your past may be filled with many bad things, but God looks at His record of how He has done many things with other people who have a less than desirable background. God knows that He can use you, for He has used far less desirable people than you in the past.

Christian, let me encourage you that God can use you if you will allow Him to do so. Don't let the Devil keep you on the sidelines with his lies that you are too bad for God to use. Remember that there is not a person alive who hasn't done something that they shouldn't have done. God can use you if you will allow Him. Yes, you may be a strange choice in your eyes, but in God's eyes you are the right choice. Trust God's choice, and do your best with what He asks you to do. You will find that God has a great future planned for you if you will surrender your will to His. God can use you in His work if you will get in His work and start trying to help others whom He also could use.

Opening

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Opening the Windows of Heaven

2 Kings 7:2

"Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."

When the Scriptures talk about the windows of Heaven, they are talking about God pouring out His blessings. Samaria had been shut up for many days, and because of this they were not able to get any supplies to the city. Elisha predicted that on the next day they would have all the supplies that they needed. However, the servant to the king said, "Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be?" This servant's lack of faith caused him not to see God open those windows and pour out His blessings upon Samaria.

Let me ask you, would you like it if God would open the windows of Heaven and pour out His blessings upon your life? Throughout the Scriptures we find that God promises to open those windows if we do certain things. Let me show you four things you must do to open the windows of Heaven. Let me make this clear, God leaves the opening of the windows of Heaven up to you. If you will do what He says to do, then He promises to pour out His blessings.

First, paying your tithes will open the windows of Heaven. Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." This promise is very clear. If a person will pay ten percent of their income to God, then He will bless them abundantly in return. God blesses those who pay their tithes. You may not think you can afford to do so, but God promises He will repay you above what you give to Him.

Second, praying opens the windows of Heaven. God said in Luke 11:9, that if we will ask, then He will give. This is an open check to every believer. One of the greatest reasons we don't get things from God is because we don't ask. Christian, you need to daily spend time in prayer. You must spend time asking Him for your needs, for He promises that if you will ask that He will give.

Third, obeying God's commandments opens the windows of Heaven. Deuteronomy 28:2 shows us that if we will obey God's commandments, that He will bless us abundantly. Obedience always has its benefits, and one of those benefits is that God will bless you above measure for doing what He commands you to do.

Last, seeking God first will open the windows of Heaven. If you will seek God first, Matthew 6:33 promises, "...all these things shall be added unto you." Where you place God in the priorities of your life will determine whether or not He will open the windows of Heaven.

One thing you must understand about these promises, you cannot pick and choose which one you want to do to open the windows of Heaven. All of these promises must be followed to open Heaven's windows. I challenge you to follow these four areas to see if God comes through with blessings. I believe you will find that His blessings will far out shadow the difficulties it takes to do these things. God desires to open the windows of Heaven for your life, it is simply up to you to do what God tells you to do to get them opened.

Looking

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Looking for a Man of God?

2 Kings 3:11

"But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah."

Jehoshaphat seemed to have the same problem that many Christians have today, and that is the only time he wanted a man of God in his life was when he had a difficulty that needed to be solved. Jehoshaphat said in the verse above, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD,..." This statement came after Jehoshaphat had joined the king of Israel in a joint mission to fight the king of Moab. Before they went to war, Jehoshaphat asked for a man of God to give them guidance. The sad part about this story is that Jehoshaphat only wanted the man of God's advice when it was convenient or needed.

Every person needs a man of God in their life. The man of God should not be an emergency number that you only call in times of need. Yes, they will come and help you if that is the only time you call them, but they are there to help you succeed in your Christian life. I fear many people fail in their Christian life because they avoid the man of God who God has placed in their life to help them mature and excel in their walk with God. With this in mind, let me give you some thoughts concerning you and your man of God.

First, let the man of God be a man of God in your life. What I mean by this statement is that he should not be treated like everyone else. Treat him with dignity and respect by addressing him properly. Though some think this is ridiculous, you need to keep a mystique and honor with the position that the man of God holds. If you will address him properly, then you will keep his position as a revered position in your mind.

Second, pray that your man of God guides you properly. People often complain that their man of God does not help them, but I wonder how often they pray that God gives him wisdom to guide them. Yes, the man of God should have personally asked for God's guidance, but you would be wise to ask God to help your man of God help you. I have found that when I pray this way that God helps me to ask questions in the right way that will spur the man of God to give me the answers that I need.

Third, don't just let your man of God be a convenient crutch whom you run to when you need help. If you have problems, certainly you should go and ask for his help, but let your man of God help you all the time. Don't be like Jehoshaphat who only looked for him when it was convenient.

Last, be an encouragement to your man of God. Regularly say words of encouragement to him to show your appreciation. Look for needs that he may have that God can use you to fill. Find something that he likes, and every once in awhile give it to him as a gift of appreciation. Be kind to his family as this will be an encouragement to him as well.

God has given you a man of God to be a help to you. Don't let his availability be taken for granted, but realize that God gave him to you to help you become the best Christian that you could become. Don't just look for a man of God in times of need, but look for a man of God in all stages of your life.