Friday, October 21, 2005

Purpose Driven Life chapter 26/ 27

Chapter 26/27: Growing Through/Defeating Temptation

These two i thought i would tie in together.

Something to Remember: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. and There is always a way out

Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will recieve the crown of life that God had promised to those who love him" James 1:12

Statement that was most impactful:Fruits of the spirit... God has ALL, so to be like Christ, we need to have these in our lives and in order to do that, we are tempted. We always have a CHOICE to do good or to give into temptation. we must choose NOT to give in and we will become more like Christ. And TRUST ME, if you ask for patience, God will send stuff to test your patience. At camp last week... the first night, i get settled in and then people start snoring (not in my room) and THEN the fire alarm battery was low so it beeped all night. i didnt lose my temper, i must admit i was getting a little frustrated that i couldnt sleep. But i didnt lose my cool!

How do you overcome temptation: Refuse to be intimidated by temptation! It will look SO intimidating! You will beat yourself up for thinking about it, but dont! Satan wont tempt people who are doing his evil will. He will tempt people who are doing God's will. For instance, when we go to a God filled weekend such as youth Councils, satan usually takes me down from that awesome weekend. but nope not this time. He has sent stuff that has discouraged me (monday afternoon, and these dreams lately that just wont stop) but i am not letting them get to me. When you get tempted, dont think that u are weak!! Its SATAN, he HATES your GUTS!! He HATES YOU SO MUCH!

Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it. When are you most tempted? recognize those times!

Request God's help! He is up 24 hours, so you dont need to be. If u are having a rough time, give them ALL to God, he will be up all night anyways. He wants you to give your worries to him so you can get a good night sleep and not having to worry about your problems.

God will NEVER give us too much to handle.. He wont give us something that he doesnt know that we can get through. He said in 1st Corinthians 10:13 "Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you cant stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."

This reminds me of when my best friend did a bible study on temptation. She siad that "we tend to move towards what we focus on" hehe there i go using that again. In this book it says that whatever gets your attention will get you. but the ways to defeat temptation are to refocus your attention, Reveal your stuggle to a godly friend or support group, resist the devil, Realize ur vulnerability.

Temptation makes us more dependant on God. So i say, SATAN BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

Blessings to you all!!

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