Nailing Fear: Temptation

We went to the early service at www.Eastview.org . Got there late. Music too loud. Too much perfume up front.
Going to my folks today. Rainy day. Sleepless night. Brain spinning. What or how to talk about the ungoing pain of getting shafted from the family business? And the ongoing trauma of trying to run a emotionallly draining business. And the far greater  associated pain of losing Renee. And the pain of neglecting her when she needed me while I was distracted with the kick-out.  The pain of what is no more far exceeds the joy of what was.

Pastor Dave Ens
Nailing Fear: Temptation

Think about a temptation you deal with often. Now tell the person next to you! Not really. Were you tempted to change your temptation.
Temptation leads to places you don't want to be.
We pray around it. Jesus said to pray lead us not into temptation but deliver us... From temptation? No_ from the evil one who uses temptation to lead us astray.
We face temptation all the time. Where does the Bible say resist temptation? Temptation is not the point- the evil one wants the temptation to become the focus of your life. Smoke and mirrors. To try to distract us from God not spending time to listen to God. It takes tons of willpower
James 1:12-16 you are blessed if you endure temptation. We are tempted by our own desires uniquely created. The devil has a big tackle box with all kinds of lures. Based on who I am. Those lures are attractive.
God has given you a choice. You can follow God or not. NLT Temptations entice and drag us away from God. Temptations are almost always related to our calling.
The early church was tempted to compromise the Message. They remained faitful
We know the things that tempt us. Do we have someone asking us keeping us accountable? Have you been true to God's Calling this week? that's far more important than worrying about temptation
Blessed are you when you endure- you get the crown. Eternal life and what's the most important in life here and now.
Deliver me from the distractor so I can do what you have Called me to be.
Remember Jesus and the two elements of bread and wine. I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Take and eat
My God is mighty to save