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Listen while you read: "Am I A Soldier Of The Cross"1 (Lyrics) |
My family bought me a personal video recorder, a PVR, for Christmas. I find that I am using it a great deal. The PVR allows me to record television programs and watch them at a later date. It's really great if something I want to watch is on while I am out, or is playing at the same time as I want to view another program of equal interest. One of the things that I enjoy most, however, is that the PVR lets me fast-forward through the commercials. I do hate commercials, so much so that I have often not finished watching a program, as I became so fed up with them that I turned the television off. So now that I have the PVR, I do a lot of fast-forwarding.
As I was doing just that the other evening, I considered how the study and memorization of God's Word, or the recording of it within our minds, allows us to do some fast-forwarding as well.
James 1:12-14 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (NIV)
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days, He always responded to the evil one's temptation with the Word of God, the Scriptures. Each time He did so, the temptation fell flat and came to naught. Jesus was able to fast-forward through the campaign of Satan's ads because He knew, trusted, relied upon, and used the power of His Father's Word to distinguish lies from truth.
Likewise, when we use God's Word, we, too, are able, as quickly as possible, to power through the temptations in life that could otherwise bring us everything from discomfort, pain, and humiliation to the loss of the purpose or goals to which God has called us as His children. The story of Samson and Delilah in Judges chapter 16 reveals how temptation, not rebuked by the Word of God, sadly led one man to his doom.
So, the next time you're watching television and the commercials begin, take a moment and reflect how in life we have a choice. We can listen to and even be drawn into Satan's campaign of lies, directed against the Word of God, as he seeks to interrupt our daily living — or by using the Word of God to discern the truth, we can fast-forward through temptation as quickly as possible and get on with the real program of godly life.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You never tempt us to do evil, and that amidst temptation which does come to each of us in this life, You have provided a way for us to escape, to fast-forward through it as quickly as possible, through the power of Your Word. Therefore, may each of us choose to study and memorize the Scriptures that we may trust and rely upon them, and stand persevering amidst each and every trial that comes our way. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Another good one Lynne.
Thank you, Lynne, for your very wonderful lesson.
Lynne, thanks for sharing this devotional with us. Blessings.
Great message Lynne. You always come up with the most unique analogies.
Good one Lynne. I SO relate the commercials nuisance too. My PVR is used often for the same purpose.
Lynne, I can’t wait for your next writing as you soldier on!
Errors all around us, Lord save us humans from ourselves! Please!
Hi Lynne
Great devotional. I don’t have a PVR myself, but have often thought about getting one. Perhaps one day.
Wonderful analogy Lynne. Thank you, and I’m thanking the Lord for you and your fertile mind and spirit – that you are able to make many things clearer through ‘every day’ analogies. God bless, and keep it coming dear writer and friend of God.
Lynn,
Great devotional, you really made it easy for me to see how the devil can disrupt my day with his schemes to take me away from God’s direction for me.
Thanks again for all you do, I really enjoy how our God works through your writing to help guide us each day.
Lynne, I enjoyed your devotional today. I have often wondered over the part in the Lord’s Prayer, where it says “lead me not into temptation”. I believe God won’t lead me there and am convinced that I am led there only by my own weakness and then that is encouraged along by Satan. I trust that anything God encourages us to do is right, so in your opinion, why do we need to pray not to be led there by Him.
Hi Lynne
Good devotional once again. We feel like we know you, so, please pray for us. My sister died suddenly and she was the main caregiver for my ailing parents, so it left us stunned. She was a wonderful Christian, with a music ministry. We see God’s hand in her passing, but we are working overtime to sort out everything.
Thanks.
Good Morning Lynne.
Generally your devotionals are exceptional but I must disagree with the analogy you’ve made in this one this morning. You may hate commercials, but commercials pay for producing the very programs you love to watch and save on your PVR. More importantly, commercials pay for the livelihood of the families of the salespeople who sell the commercials. As annoying as they may be, most are informative in allowing you to discern whether or not you would choose that particular item.
Fast forwarding commercials is denying their part in people’s ability to enjoy free TV, and moreover, disrespecting those who pound the streets to get the advertising. Radio and TV programs are free because of commercials. The price you pay to whatever server you use is for their service to deliver the programs. It doesn’t cover the price of even one program. Only commercials do that.
To use your analogy……fast-forwarding, skipping or turning off a commercial is analogous of skipping anything to do with any avenues that bring us God’s word, such as Bible Reading, Devotionals, Church (including services on the radio and/or TV – which are often supported by commercials) and believing God is available for our personal pleasure.
Hi Lynn,
Not about your life story yesterday, a very good devotional indeed.
Please keep on writing
Blessings.
You fooled me this time Lynne. No goats, dogs, or other critters in this one.
I sort of like those because they have animals in them!
Thanks for another thoughtful sharing,