How many promises are in the bible do you think? Do you know? I did not. I had to go and look it up. And according to one article, there are 8810 with 7487 being promises by God to mankind. A promise is an assurance that a particular thing is going to happen. God has given us promises, and each person who believes in Him, who chooses to follow Him, can stand on these promises.
God searches our hearts and seeks and invites all. It is our choice to accept or deny the invitation. If we accept, with our whole hearts, we are brought fully into the kingdom of God, our sins are forgiven, and He walks with us each step of our lives. It may not be easy, His word states we will have trials and tribulations, but he will be with us. Always. There may be times when we feel alone, but notice it is us feeling alone, not Him leaving us alone.
Our only burden, duty—blessing—is to accept His invitation and follow Him. Learn of Him, know Him as your best friend, and thank Him for all He is done to save you from the sinful life and eternity in Hell.
We all face eternity. Everyone of us. The only difference is one faces eternity in hell if you do not heartfully believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, recognize he died for our sins, and repent of our many sins. We are never sin free; never. We are sinners. But we grow and try to become more like Him, and our hearts are sincere to follow Him. A choice. We follow Him and have eternity and experience many blessings. We reufse and are spending life in Hell. Yes, it is a real place, and there is much suffering. You cannot change your mind once you have died from this life. The choice is now, before you physically die.
- God is perfect, without sin, and does not lie and means everything He says in His word.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
- The blood of Jesus will cleanse us from our sins.
Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
- Jesus died to give us eternal life.
Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord
John 17:36 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you oved me before the creation.
John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me . . . I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, and this life is in his Son. eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.
1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- God’s presence is in our lives
John 14:23 If a man loves me, he will keep my words and my Father will love hi, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him
- God will answer our prayers
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Psalm 55:17 Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice.
Isaiah 65:24 It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
- God will gives us Strength
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man.
John 7:17 If any man shall do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
- God is Truth
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
- God fill us with Love
Mark 12:33 And to love his with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and will all the soul and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.
- Our sins are Forgiven
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin
Jesus died to give us eternal life
God’s presence is in our lives
God will answer our prayers
God will give us strength
God is truth
God fills us with love
Our sins are forgiven
He will give us rest
He will direct our paths
He will supply all our needs
He will never leave nor forsake us
Our sins will be forgiven
We will be His children
We will have a Comforter, Helper sent to us on Jesus’s ascension
He will answer our prayers
He works things out for our good
You will spend eternity in heaven with Him if you give Him your life and heart
You will become more like Jesus as you follow Him and learn about Him through God’s word
Follow Him and you will have joy.
My Father, thank you for all you have done with the blessings you have given for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Zingers:
Christianity helps us face the music, even when we don’t like the tune.
People cannot change truth, but truth can change people.
If you won’t admit you’ve been wrong, you love yourself more than truth.
Psalm 126:6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carry sheaves with them.
Matt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.
Luke 8:11-15 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word form their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. The believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
1 Corinthians 3:6-10 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
2 Corinthians 9:6,10 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. . . . Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Lately, I have had the opportunity to talk about Jesus to others. I don’t do it well, unless I am with other believers. I find I am stilted, and not confident in my presentation, which has been a lifelong issue for me. I tend to watch for a long while before engaging. I am not ever comfortable initiating a contact other than a smile and a greeting, but not a full conversation. It’s on my prayer list to have the Holy Spirit give me that confidence and ability, as I truly admire those in my life who can freely start that with strangers.
Yet I know it is vital, and potentially lifesaving to tell people of the freedoms and blessings He has given us by His death—on the cross—suffered for OUR sins–none were His–His burial, His resurrection, and His ascension. He frees us from the penalty of death in Hell for eternity and affords us eternal life in heaven instead.
I have so many friends who are brilliant at opening these conversations. They are not pushy, but confidently and with assurance they ask if the other is a believer or knows Jesus. I have always felt my speaking abilities more resembled Moses before he gained his confidence and had to depend on Aaron. I am still depending on others to open the door to these conversations, then I can add how blessed I am. That’s frustrating to me. Anyway, it’s on my prayer list that the Holy Spirit will help me with this.
I know that someone plants a seed by telling of Jesus, His life, His death, His burial, ascension and resurrection. That seed may not initially be broken and nourished in the ground, very soon to sprout, grow and share its abundance. Different seeds take different times to mature and flourish. But there must be seed planters, gardeners who can water, weed, (answer questions that someone might have–a mistaken impression concerning God, Jesus and eternity), give support and love, showing how Christ lived and wants us to live. Show how one can have the assurance of life in heaven after the physical body dies, when all illness will be healed, and we will have a new body and be spending our eternity with God.
The planters and the gardeners are only Christ’s workers. It is God who brings this person to need Him, to reach for Him. Our tasks are to tend and weed, but we are not the redeemers. We can only rejoice when that happens—but it is NOT our accomplishment. We are just field workers.
I find I get frustrated knowing so many in my circle do not believe and are not fully invested. That is scary for me. I love them and without the commitment to Jesus as their Lord and savior, they can die without the assurance of life ever after in heaven.
We all face eternity; it is not death and you turn into just ashes—that is your body, but that is not your soul. It is your soul that has an eternity, and “being a good person” is not good enough in God’s eyes. He wants to love you, bless you and free you from stress and anxieties and give you the assurance that you will have life in heaven if you ask Him to be your savior, and welcome Him into your heart. And He is more than happy and excited to say ‘YES!’ He wants us all, but has given us the ability to choose or not to choose.
He created the world and all in it with a breath. Certainly He is worthy of our love, thankfulness and our attempts at obedience. We are never THERE, we still sin, make mistakes, and have to confess our wrongs, but we have the assurance we are forgiven. But this Creator, created all, including plants, trees, and us, so He is familiar with planting seeds and waiting for the blooming and blossoming and harvest.
I just wish I was better at initiating the conversation. But maybe, as I’m writing this, God is saying, ‘but I know you have the strength of giving compassion, guiding, and walking beside’ rather than jump starting the conversation. But we each have our jobs, paths, strengths, and I know I hesitate starting conversations with anyone new to me.
Anyway, have you wondered if you are a planter or a harvester? I’m good at putting in bulbs, rhizomes, or seeds after the holes are dug, then I can water and care for and appreciate the yield, but am not in introducing. Maybe someday.
Lord, I thank you for all you have blessed me with and can recognize lots of growth, but I still want more—but according to Your will. Thank You for your continued blessing for me and’mybellaviews.’
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 33:20-22 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 37:7, 34 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices. . . . Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
When the Israelites first were led out of Egypt, they grumbled and complained, wished for the certainty of what they had known even though the conditions they had lived under were not wonderful, they knew what those were, and were getting frightened for what they could not see, the travel and the fear of the unknown.
While in Egypt, the Israelites witnessed the miracles of the plagues God sent on Pharaoh and the Egyptians. They saw this. They saw how they were protected from the loss of their firstborns, animals as well as children. They were told to sprinkle blood over their doorpost with hyssop, and then heard the crying, wailing, and utter bereavement of the Egyptians who had lost their firstborns. They had witnessed miracles.
God gave a bunch of commands and rules and laws—what they could and could not eat, when they were considered clean and unclean, what was considered good, and what was considered not worthwhile. He also gave them the Ten Commandments—and while writing them, the Israelites decided they wanted to have a “god” they could see and worship, something visible to worship. It had only taken a few days for them to mistrust God, and obviously Moses, and they were quick to leave God behind, even after He had delivered water from a rock, parted the Red Sea and ensured their safety while crossing and then ensuring the Egyptians all died as the waters flowed over them. They had experienced all sorts of miracles; yet they chose to run to something THEY constructed, nothing that was a miracle, nothing that would help and feed or supply them with anything.
Although they saw how God helped to ensure they were released from the Egyptians and were promised a land of milk and honey, I wonder how they could so easily be swayed away from God.
I do know that sometimes there are worldly allures that pull us away from God, and temptations which reach out to us. But I do find it hard to think these people could so easily beg Aaron for a visible “god” and then they formed one, threw gold into a pot and formed a molten calf. Aaron had been beside Moses throughout all of this—ten plagues, parting of the Red Sea, seeing water delivered from a rock and so forth. How was it so easy for Aaron to turn aside from his brother and all he had seen? How could he be so easily led away from God and the miracles he had seen and experienced? He was the priest, the religious leader of these people, and yet, he walked away from the true God, within days as his brother was gone for a total of forty days. At the pressure and complaints of the people, he was easily swayed.
How often do we give up waiting, losing patience with God’s promises, and reverting to something to assuage our feelings of loss, frustration, impatience, and try to take matters into our own hands? Certainly, I have railed against waiting, and waiting, and….
Yet, Abraham waited for forty years to have his own son with his wife. He believed and held onto God’s promises. And when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, he willingly packed up the supplies, and carried the youngster to the mountain where he’d been told to sacrifice the boy. He trusted God would provide the sacrifice. He waited, expectantly, all the while doing exactly as God commanded. Yikes, that takes a huge amount of faith! Moses, must have thought, ‘This is my son, Your promise to me. . . the future generations, many persons to resemble the sands in the desert.’
Sara became impatient and encouraged her husband to have a child with her slave. And again, serious issues developed because she had taken matters into her hands; what does it take for us to believe and wait on Him with trust?
There’s an entire book written that encourages us to wait on His promises, that tells us He alone is the ONLY GOD; He alone is with us always; He alone tells us to not fear, not grow weary of trusting in Him. Yet, often, we drift as though on an air mattress tossed into the ocean and without anchor, we doze off, then waking find ourselves much further away from shore than is safe and healthy.
Story after story tells of the need to wait. A savior would be provided; a star would shine in the town to announce the birth; He would be borne of a virgin…. The Israelites waited hundreds of years for a savior. There is always waiting throughout the bible, because that is life. We wait for His promises. waiting is a large part of life. We wait until we are old enough, we wait for the right time–in God’s eyes, not ours, before we can progress, before we can get the promise, the plan He has given to us, wants us to have.
I pray I don’t lose my patience –waiting, and in truth, and then grumbling. It has become easier to wait, but the grumbling and complaining starts. I can usually catch it fairly early on and correct it with a quick scolding, but still it comes. That is impatient, immature, and selfish, self-centered behavior. Not very Christ-like. Help me, Lord, to stand firm on what You have told me.
I believe His timing is perfect. It may still not be my timing preference, but still, I have seen time and again, that He comes and answers. So, I’ve mostly learned to hand over my impatience; sometimes, annoyingly it pops back into my head. So, while thinking of it, I pretend it is in my hands, then raise it to God to take away, so I can no longer actually think of it. It’s in His hands; no longer mine to keep as a “god,” “an idol” to worry and therefore, worship over. That is not honoring and trusting God. And as a believer, that IS what I am supposed to do.
Do I sometimes question? Yes, ‘did You forget me? Did I misunderstand? Am I on the right path? have I messed up somehow all tied up in my plans, not waiting for Yours?’ I do occasionally. Then, I have to sit down and hand over my worries and Satan’s lies; and apologize and just spend time and LISTEN to what He says. Breathe out that impatience I deal with frequently and go back to trusting and waiting.
Trust God and His timing. Remember Satan lies and tries to make you feel your’e missing out, you’re better (or worse–depending on the picture he is trying to give you) so there is no need to wait. Satan wants you upset, doubting, impatient, mistrustful. Don’t let him bully you and challenge your trust in God. You already know our God is good, He’s got a good plan for you–a plan to prosper and not hinder.
Lord, You know although my impatience is improving, it does continue to raise its ugly head at times. But I know You are steady, You are right and generous and in the right time, Your time, Your plans will unfold in my life. Thank You for tolerating my impatience and using the Holy Spirit to help me improve. My Father, thank You for all You do for me and’mybellaviews.’
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. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Exodus 20:7 You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Proverbs 23:2 And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart because everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Matt 12:36,37 But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of
John 8:34 Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Romans 7:14-25 This is a long paragraph of verses, which I feel are very important to me, but suggest reading for yourself if you find yourself wanting to not sin and yet are being pulled and led to do so “just this once. Just give it a try.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Philippians 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our LORD and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
1 Peter 3:10 For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
Do you have good control over your mouth? I do not. I love food, but especially desserts, baked sugary enticements, and chocolate, although now I have skipped the grocery store chocolates and tend to head to Burry’s chocolates and indulge in the almond milk chocolate bark. Hmm-hmm! If I’m going to fulfill that sweet tooth desire, I should at least indulge in something rich, and can then be satisfied with a smaller indulgence, and have it last for a couple of weeks.
I also love good food and can be satisfied and impressed even at some meals I’ve thrown together. It’s been a privilege to go to different countries and experience their meals and cooking. Occasionally, there are some I would try again, but for the most part, I love the experimenting, and it’s rare for me to totally be disdainful of a meal or a part of one. I know I have been blessed to live in different areas and experience all that that area might have to offer whether with foods, bakeries, and the people and cultures.
But my mouth fails me, through my heart and sinful nature still—and I feel this should NO longer be an issue I am still dealing with. What comes out of my mouth aloud sometimes is so horrifically harsh, earthly, and in fact cursing and nasty. I do NOT want to continue repeating the same sin from my mouth/heart that I have been doing for years. Am I not enough of an “adult” Christian and follower to have this 100% corrected? UGH! But I occasionally still find myself gossiping, and still with some vile language when frustrated. Yes, I know my periods of gossiping and coarse language spurts are far less often, but they still occur. And, I do the same thing when I hear myself spewing awful words that I do when hearing something I don’t like on tv—I cringe and decide to turn it off. When it comes out of my mouth, I cringe, and apologize and seek forgiveness, but feel decidedly discouraged. How can I continue to do the same things repeatedly when I do not want to commit these sins? (Romans 7:14-25)
Wow! Our mouths can bring such pleasure in the tasting of foods, not over-indulging but tasting, enjoying each flavor and trying to determine the seasonings, being thankful, and appreciating the way God has designed our bodies to stay healthy and receive nutrients. If done wisely, and not selfishly, taking in more than required, food and drink can be a pleasure. But it is easy to abuse. I am one who overeats—which is part of being selfish and a glutton. As can be seen with the many verses above, that is a sin.
But then our mouths can spew gossip, brag about accomplishments, tear others down, spit out anger and frustration and use the Lord’s name disrespectfully. Hatefulness and destruction can be uttered so quickly leaving a large and debilitating inward scar to the recipient. The old adage of ‘sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me’ is one of the LARGEST LIES ever. Unthinking angry, frustrated, hateful words can destroy a person, allowing him/her to walk around, take in nourishment, but they are crushed within their self-esteem, their own thoughts, and their confidence.
We need to put a mental clamp on our mouths. There needs to be a hesitation period before responding, especially when angry, frustrated, and wanting to strike out. You may not even want to show your anger, and it comes spewing out to someone who should not have to receive it at all, perhaps a child, spouse, someone who has nothing to do with your anger—your anger has nothing to do with them—yet your words, actions have caused an inner wound that probably lasts their lifetime. Even if an explanation and apology is given, the remembrance of those words will allow doubts to eek forth.
But then there are the folks who just complain about anything negative and seem unable to look for the positive points in life, in a day, and their comments tend to pull those around them into a more negative frame of mind. So much can be seen in the frame of the mouth—lips tightening in, jaw clenched, and it is apparent how they feel. Mouths can cause pleasure—smiles, congratulations, encouragement and so forth, and also make apparent negative emotions–with or without words.
Lord, I am so very sorry for the times I was not thinking and empty, sarcastic, or caustic, hurtful words spewed forth hurting others or you, and I am sorry I have been a glutton time and again. I have imprinted many of these verses so when the devil again comes to entice, I can shove him aside with disdain, and not submit. Thank You for encouraging me to write on this subject today.
Thank You for your grace and forgiveness and having the Holy Spirit show me the areas I still need to improve and make new. Thank You, my Lord, for all You do for me and ’mybellaviews.’
Some cute quips:
Best advice to a dieter–no thyself;
The trouble with what melts in your mouth is the way it bulges in front of the mirror.
You never realize what a poor loser you are until you try dieting.
James 2:12-15 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God;” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when itis full-grown, brings forth death.
Romans 6:11-14 (NIV) In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the Law, but under grace.
Romans 6:11-14 (NKJV) Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our LORD. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
2 Peter 2:9 then the LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
Galatians 5:16-17 I say then, walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things you wish. (such as giving into fleshly desires)
Are you like most people and frequently fighting the temptation to do something you want to do that is not in your best interest, something that Jesus would rather you didn’t do? I have several things I battle—overeating, sweets, imbibing in alcohol, and having some impatient thoughts when things are not going smoothly or interrupt my day. I could probably in all truth create a gargantuan list.
I have overcome some of the detrimental habits I used to indulge in; the most negative in my book was my heavy smoking. I could smoke 1-2 packs a day for several years. Finally, I did not want to smoke any longer, so I reached out and asked Him for help. And He gave it.
For a while it was difficult. I liked smoking. I did not like the negative effects it was doing to my body, the secondhand smoke that surrounded my family, the expense, and the stench, and the negative public opinion.
As each time to indulge “in just one” smoke, I prayed and within moments the urge was released. I did some crazy breathing exercises that made sense to me. I brushed my teeth often, practiced holding my breath and counting slowly, and all sorts of tricks I thought help me beat this nasty habit. After several days, it all became easier.
Were there times initially within the first couple of years when smelling cigarette smoke had me wishing for a quick puff? Yes, at times. But I had a cigarette after a couple months of non-smoking and immediately I was dizzy, slightly nauseous, and disgusted with myself. What and where was the great attraction I had felt for years?
Now, if I smell cigarette smoke, I either raise my car window or hold my breath as I travel away. I find it disgusting. I’m just thankful that my friends and family tolerated me until I quit.
I have more difficulty with over-eating and sweets. I love a good meal and will eat until I am overstuffed. I know that unpleasant sensation—FULL and UGH! I love the taste of the foods, but to overeat and be horrifically overstuffed is SO unpleasant. And after doing it for years, at least on Thanksgiving, I would know to moderate and NOT do it. Alas, maybe this year.
And sweets. . .man, I love sweets. Do I know they are some of the worst things to intake? Yes, does that stop me? Hmm, not often. I can tell myself, ‘just this one, have one for tomorrow, then throw the rest out.’ That doesn’t happen often.
Anyway, bottom line is I deal with temptations and fail to fight them as often as I would like. So, although I have many verses I have copied over the years, the above list I have written and now have taped to my bathroom mirror as well as the refrigerator, and near my chair and computer. Handy. Read, and re-read, and imprint in your brain, and ask the Holy Spirit and Jesus for help in beating this temptation back. And I am working on remembering to shove Satan out of my brain, and away from what I am being tempted to sin with. I have to be diligent, and I am relieved to say and acknowledge that the Holy Spirit has put some of these verses into my brain as I am reaching for a cookie, brownie, or ice cream—and I am stopped, well at least hesitate. I will admit that I have walked away from the temptation most times, well, 75% of the time. At times, I have gone back after saying, “If I still want it after 15 minutes then I’ll have a SMALL piece.” But most of the time, remembering the verses, remembering it is NOT that good for me, I am able to resist. I am not as successful as I would like to be, so the Holy Spirit and I are still working on this, but with each time I am successful, I feel He is pleased with me; and I am pleased with my success.
I am a work in progress. I hope to look over these writings in a few months pleased that my desire to do the right and healthy thing, working with the Holy Spirit and knowing God has given me the tools to beat any temptation, that the success of no more sweets is behind us, and I am doing nothing except thanking God daily for this.
Thank You for my previous successes, continue to be with me while I try to continue to please you with me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Quips: To master temptation, let Christ master you. Every temptation is an opportunity to flee to God. Don’t keep your eye on temptation while praying not to be led into it.
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!
