Satan's Techniques For Temptation (By Allen Malone)

 SATAN’S TECHNIQUES FOR TEMPTATION (Allen Malone)

We may not be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), but may still be overcome by him. The apostle Paul’s inspired concerns for saints of his time remain valid. “I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 nkjv). Genesis 3 reveals some of the devil’s most effective techniques for luring people to sin - especially people who know the Lord and His will.

He pointed to the forbidden (Genesis 3:1). “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” God had highlighted what was allowed (Genesis 2:16). Satan spot-lighted what was forbidden.

He lied (Genesis 3:4). God had said, “When you eat of it you will surely die.” The tempter said to the woman, “You will not surely die.”

He misused the truth (Genesis 3:5). “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” This line, while true, (Genesis 3:7, 22), contained a false implication. He used words that were true to falsely imply that the opening of her eyes would be something beneficial, a blessing of which she was presently deprived.

He diverted Eve’s focus from God’s will (Genesis 3:6). “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” His diabolical scheme was successful because he effectively influenced Eve to cease reminding herself of what she knew to be God’s will (Genesis 3:2-3), but instead to dwell upon the appealing characteristics of the forbidden fruit.

Satan’s tactics then are Satan’s tactics now. Genesis 3:6 reveals that his basic approach was to appeal to fleshly desires, visual attraction, and self-exalting pride. The New Testament reveals that these remain the basic appeals that lead people to turn from God’s will. “All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, … but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:16-17 nasb).

Let’s not miss this fact, though: Satan’s primary means was deception. All of his devices were intended to accomplish that one end. Satan’s temptation was effective because he was able to deceive. Eve admitted it (Genesis 3:13); God acknowledged it (Genesis 3:14); and the New Testament confirms it (2 Corinthians 11:3; cf., 1 Timothy 2:14). “…Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning….”

Furthermore, it is important that those of us who know God and His will notice the nature of Satan’s deception. The Bible shows us that Eve was not deceived about God’s instructions (Genesis 3:2-3) and may not have been deceived about the consequences of eating (3:4), but rather Satan successfully deceived her about God Himself (Genesis 3:5).

Satan’s most effective ploy is to convince us that God is something other than a loving, wise, powerful Father who has our best interests at heart.

Let’s not be deceived, but believe! Meditating with joy on God’s sure care for us which He proved by providing us a Savior who was tempted in every way that Eve was and we are, “yet without sin,” is key (Luke 4:1-13; Hebrews 4:15-16). “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all…” (Romans 8:31-32). “Take heed that you be not deceived!”

Express

 

The Cost Of Being A Pastor By

 THE PRICE OF BEING A PASTOR

Kirby Winstead

Being a Pastor is listed among the four most difficult professions in the United States

because a Pastor must be:

•Preacher

•Example

•Father

•Husband

•Counselor

•Conference caller

•Planner

•Minister

•Visionary

•Director

•Mentor

•Friend

•Reconciliator 

•Marriage counselor

•Youth Counselor

•Leader's trainer

•Bible teacher

•Intercessor etc etc

Besides being:

•Keeper of the temple

•Cleaning staff

Every Pastor constantly confronts many different things, such as: 

The Pastor doesn't visit me

Sermon was too long.

The music was too loud.

The building is too cold.

Etc....

  One of the most difficult things in the life of a Pastor is to know that at some point the people they love will abandon or even betray them.

The Pastor is often the loneliest person in the congregation.

You may see a Pastor be surrounded by people, but very rarely people who are interested in their problems, needs or even in their lives.

If you have a Pastor as a friend take care of them, pray for them, connect with vision that God gave them, support them, but above all love them. Remember they are human and in the same way they go through the same needs as you.

Even if you don’t believe it, many of them have sacrificed comforts, rest, personal plans and so many things including some of their own family’s needs to attend God’s call.

Value the time a Pastor puts into work, the prayers he makes for everyone, the burden he voluntarily carries for ministry. You don't know how much he'd appreciate knowing you do.

Jeremiah 3:15 

And I will give you shepherds according to my own heart, who shall lead them with knowledge and understanding.

... For all pastors 🙏

Thank you for all that you do!

Kirby Winstead.

The 2024 Election - A Christian Perspective

 The 2024 Election - A Christian Perspective

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love"
(Ephesians 1:4)

"We’re in the middle of an election season, and it’s not just any election season. This election season is proving to be the most volatile election season that our country has seen in a very long time. And this election season is falling in the midst of a world that seems like everything is broken all around us." (Matthew A. Scogin’s speech on christian political discourse, delivered to a Hope student and employee audience via Zoom from Diment Chapel, on September 24, 2020.)
These words were spoken four years ago, but what has changed? No doubt this 2024 coming election, will completely change the direction of this nation. I do not want to pick a side, although as  a Christian pastor, it may be evident that I have.
How should we as Christians, look at the 2024 Presidential election? In our text, when God chose us, before the foundation of the world; His intent was that we be a people who are to be holy, and blameless.
As a Christian nation, that is to be "under God", we are to be a people who are holy, and blameless. That includes all of us. Our Presidential candidates, and all who are in government, along with all the citizens of this great nation. But let's be honest. We are far from being what God intends for us to be. But this is no excuse for us to stop striving to be a nation that lives up to God's expectations. The Word of God is to help us with the issues we face in this Country.
1. Character and integrity:
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn…The king by judgment establishes the land but he that receives gifts overthrows it…If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants are wicked” (Proverbs 29:2, 4, 12).
2. Sanctity of human life—abortion, stem cell research using human embryos:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).
3. Same-sex marriage or civil unions among same-sex couples:
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).
4. Freedom for religious speech:
“So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20).
5. Racial equality:
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26).

“…and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God” (Revelation 5:9-10).

6. National Security:
“And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:8-9).
7.Taxation and government spending:
“We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards…we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards” (Nehemiah 5:4-5).
(How Should A Christian Vote? moodymedia.org)

From a Christian perspective, we are to apply the truth of God's Word to every issue that is up for consideration in the coming 2024 election. It is our responsibility as Christians, and godly citizens of the United States Of America.
May God help us to be faithful in preserving the righteousness, and frèedoms that God intends America to have! GP