Glorious Living Devotional : Jan 28

Topic: Victory over Temptation

Text: James 1:12-16

Key text:  James 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Discussion: temptation is common to all Christian pilgrim, if we are really on our way to heaven, there will always come temptations which we must overcome, if we will get to heaven, but to overcome we must understand this basic things about temptations: the Source, the strategy, the solution.

The Source: the ultimate source of temptation is the Devil, he comes in a cunny way, using your Self (flesh) or someone else,  how?

The Strategy: Having realized that Satan is the ultimate source of temptation, our text reveals the strategy he uses,

-Drawing away: Satan understands that when we are in the will of God, it becomes impossible to fall into temptation, so he dangles goodies before us, with a purpose of drawing us out of God's will. He tries to create a desire for the things of this world in us, of Which Jesus said, if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him, this will make the individual to lust after that thing.

-Lust to lust is to passionately desire a thing, damming the consequence of getting that thing, it may be money, position, power, or anything.

When Satan has successfully drawn an individual away, and put within him a lust, Satan can then easily, capture such ca back into sin. Sometimes Satan uses things that are not sinful to lure men into sin, that is why we must learn to discipline ourself, deny ourself and carry our cross after him.

The Solution: Temptation is not a sin, but to fall into the suggestion to sin, is a sin, therefore we must be victorious over temptation, what is the solution, the way to be victorious over the tempter and his temptation.

-The Savior:  Jesus came to deliver us from sin and give us Victory over temptation. (See Luke 1:74&75), it is important to note that a sinner is not tempted, he is still a slave to sin hence he lives in sin, only one that has been saved by Jesus Christ, that can be tempted to forsake him, or to commit sin (read 1 John 3:5-9) it is through Jesus' death and resurrection that we can be free from sin, and live a virtuous life over sin.

-Self denial, sacrifice and service: several times Jesus reiterated these points as condition for following him, because, except we deny ourselves of somethings, we cannot live victorious over temptation, hence we cannot be a disciple of Christ. These three talks about delebrate avoidance of some basic necessities that are offered on a platter of an appearance of evil, also intentional submission, and devotedness to the will of God, and absolute surrender to the cause of Christ, with the aim of winning souls to the kingdom.

-Saintly equipping: Also to live victorious, saints must have the following in their Armoury; Righteousness, Truth and sincerity, Evangelism and soul winning, Faith, asurrance of Salvation, the reading the word of God, watchfulness against appearance of evil, perseverance and supplication for all saints.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.(read also, Ephesians 6:11, 13-18)

Challenge:  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. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Prayer: Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil, let me learn to live in your Victory, in Jesus name. Amen

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Glorious Living Devotional : Jan 25

Topic: Perfect in Patience

Text:  James 1:1-4

Key Text: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4 KJV)

Discussion: James exhorts that we should “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…” This is to remind us of something important that when we are faced with temptation, it is a test for promotion; this is why he says “the trying of your faith worketh patience”. We need to be patient in temptation, it may come as difficulty, and you may find it difficult to cope with. But remember Jesus said “my grace is sufficient for you”.

  However, it is sad that many are fallen into temptation and gone astray. Such are said to have failed the test, and they need to repent.  Some have boasted, like peter: I will never leave you, but today they have denied Christ more than thrice. Yet they fail to return to Christ like peter did. And such people have missed the opportunity of promotion, which is the purpose of their test, rather, it’s become to them total alienation from the kingdom of God except they repent.

How many times have you missed God’s promotion by failing temptation, saying I could repent?
Remember God’s test for Abraham was his Isaac, and for that, God blessed him when he passed the test. And that’s why verse 4 says “let patience have its perfect work and that you may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing. If you want God’s blessing, you must be patient in temptation, persecution, trial, and in all areas.

Moses said stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show thee this day. As you go today, be patient in God, and you will see his salvation in Jesus name.

Challenge: How often have you missed God’s appointment by impatience?

Prayer: Lord, help me to wait patiently till your perfect will be done in me.

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Glorious Living Devotional : Jan 20

Topic: The Garment of an Harlot

Text: Genesis 38

Key text: Genesis 38:15  When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

Discussion: It is common to hear people saying, "The way you dress, you will be addressed" but this is fast losing its meaning, people now don't care the way they are addressed, young people now find it convenient to dress indecently with the pretense "It doesn't matter".
  Dear reader, the way you dress really matters, the reason why rape, and sexual assault is on the rise these days is because of the rise in indecent dressing, which has sent an immoral message, which resulted in the eventual rape.
  Apart from the rape consequence, there are other consequences, but the Greatest consequence is that of God's anger, the word of God teaches us to cover our nakedness, hence, we should not expose our nakedness, in disguise of fashion or beauty. Let your nakedness be properly covered.

  Judah fell into the trap of Tamar's seductive dressing, what a lesson should we learn? It is important to know that sinners will continue to wax worse and worse, seducing, deceiving and been deceived of Satan lest they be saved, it is therefore important, to keep thyself pure against the indecency of the sinner, flee from all appearance of evil, lest you are caught up in the Devil's trap.

  Salvation is the first step towards from from sin, if you are not free from Sin then you need Jesus, Let Jesus come into your heart.

Challenge: How do you dress: to please God or to seduce men?

Prayer: Let the whole of my Life please you.

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