DON’T TEMPT YOURSELF!

Your thought life will either be victorious through faith or it will be a fatality because of your flesh.

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

             In James 1 we have the proof that our number one enemy is self. James doesn’t identify the world or Satan as the catalyst drawing us away into sin but it is our own lust. Lust means; allure, entice, or beguile. Our own flesh tricks us into believing the lie that sin will satisfy what the soul longs for. Our flesh will trick us into believing that sin will secure us lasting happiness. Our flesh will trick us into believing we are saved and on the way to heaven based on our good works but scripture plainly says salvation is wrought by grace through faith.

If my number one enemy is my flesh, and it is, then I need to do what scripture says, “Crucify it”! I need to die to it daily. I need to surrender my fleshly desires to God’s will. I need to surrender all and serve the Lord whenever, wherever, and however He wants!

A LITTLE MONEY IN MY POCKET…

Money is a good servant but a dangerous master.  –Bouhours

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Money is a tool in which we use to acquire things we need and/or want. Our money has been entrusted to us by the Lord to invest in things which matter. Money should not be our master, we should master our money.

How does one do that?

1. Be content with the things you have.—Do you really need a new couch or is it something you just want?

2. Be frugal with your money.—You don’t have to have name brand clothes, the skips will work for a while.

3. Be Biblical.—Do your best to only have the debt you need. There is no need to go in debt for food.

4. Put God first.—Your tithe should come out of your gross income before you pay anything else.

5. Be patient.—You don’t have to have everything now. You can make it another month without that new fishing rod.

With wise use of your money you may have a little money left in your pocket. With that you may be able to help a missionary, a family in need, or your church pave its parking lot.