Spiritual Antidote for Lust

""When we feel the pull toward the golden-haired woman, we must recognize that 'something deeper is at play' as Augustine said, 'Let my soul praise you for all these beauties, but let it not attach itself to them by the trap of love,'  the trap of addiction because we''ve taken our soul to her for validation.  

But there is an even deeper issue than our question.  What else is it we are seeking from the Woman with the Golden Hair?  What is that ache we are trying to assuage with her?  Mercy, comfort, beauty, ecstasy--—in a word, God.  I'm serious.  What we are looking for is God.

Notice that the struggle with pornography or masturbation is most difficult when you are lonely, or beat up, or longing for comfort in some way...but if this is the water you are truly thirsty for, then why do you remain thirsty after you''ve had a drink?  It's the wrong well.  We must reverse Adam''s choice; we must choose God over Eve.  We take our ache to Him.  For only in God will we find the healing for our wound."

"- John Eldredge

Quoted by Dr. Tom Wood in Graced Again (Church Multiplication Ministries)  http://www.gracedagain.com

Trusting Christ as Your Life

A pastor commented on the article, Trusting Christ as Your Life:

This realization hit me two months ago, that I was preaching and pastoring in my own efforts.It sounds so much better to say my own efforts but the Bible calls this "flesh" How true rings the phrase "Bewitched you" when Paul asks why the Christ followers are not obeying the truth (Jesus). Jeremiah 17:9 comes to mind when we realize that "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" (NASB).

I was honestly of the mind that I was a great preacher, bringing "The Word" to God's people! How wrong to think I could do this relying on my own education and oratory abilities. Many pastors and professors had warned about this pitfall through the years! And here I was a seasoned pastor, "bewitched"! How refreshing to confess this to Father and to thank Him for the forgiveness through the cross! How refreshing for God's people to now hear a pastor drawing on Jesus resurrection power and letting Jesus be seen instead! O Father you are so gracious!

Pastor D.S. Canada

Grace Note at http://www.gracenotebook.com/pub/113.html

The "Stake" of God's Word (1)

But the wider our work the stronger it must be at the centre. And therefore as the cords are lengthened the stakes must also be strengthened. What are these stakes? 

1. Surely God's Word is the first. The more widespread the work God gives us to do the more important is it that we be true to the great standard of truth, the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the day of new theologies and loose views of evangelical truth. More sacredly than ever does the Master require us to stand faithful to the cross of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of man's sin and ruin, the great atonement, the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the person and work of the Holy Ghost and the certainties of future retribution and reward. Thank God we do not have to resort to the novelties of rationalism to attract the multitudes. Give them the Living Bread, the atoning blood, the old and ever new story of Jesus and His love. 

A.B. Simpson, A Larger Christian Life

Walking On By

Recently two elders within YWAM came up to our church plant in Smithers, BC for a special service.  One of the men, Paul, shared the story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter stepping out to meet Him.  You can read that story in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52.

Paul briefly mentioned the later part of Mark 6:48.  It was a little aside and not something he focused on but it started rolling around in my mind and I have been blessed by meditating a bit more on that Scripture.  

The verse says, "Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by."

Why would Jesus pass them by?  

While thinking on that I, also realized how often I feel that way in my own life.  I feel as if Jesus is passing me by and doesn't see the storm I am in.  Work, family, life, pastor, friends, interests, it all seems to swirl around me in a bit of a "perfect storm."  

I feel as if I am rowing against the wind.   

Yet in that storm, Jesus walked close enough for the disciples to see Him.  They cried out for they couldn't see Him clearly.  As they did, He drew closer and revealed Himself more fully.  He got into the boat with them, calmed the storm and they worshiped Him!

It is a comfort to me to know that, though it may feel like Christ is passing me by in the midst of the storm, in reality He is closer than I think!

All I have to do is cry out to Him.

- Rick  Apperson

 www.apperson.blogspot.com

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark . 

ONE: Don't miss the boat. 
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat! 
THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. 
FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. 
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. 
SIX: The Ark never had a rudder; so God did the steering.
SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 
EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 
NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile. 
TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. 
ELEVEN: No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting. 
TWELVE: Even when we're 'all at sea', God has a perfect plan for us.

Shattered Dreams

""If I were a pastor, I would want to preach in the spirit of the New
Covenant, inviting everyone in the congregation to see the heart of
God revealed in the cross of Christ. I would encourage them to
interpret all of life''s hardships not as problems to fix or struggles
to relieve or pain to deaden, but as important elements in a larger
story that all God''s children long to tell. I would urge them to
accept wherever they are on the journey, whether happy or miserable,
as the place where God will meet them, where He loves them, where He
will continue to work in them. And I would offer my own life as a
growing, struggling, sometimes painfully unattractive example of what
doing that might mean. I would beg God to deliver me from Calvary-
denying sermons, which leave people feeling scolded and pressured.

I would ask God to never let me again preach an Eden-denying message
where psychological insights replace biblical wisdom in a misguided
effort to repair emotional damage when the real problem is a serpent-
inspired determination to experience life without God." " - Larry
Crabb "Shattered Dreams" (via Tom Wood, www.gracedagain.com)

Finding Rest in the Busyness of Ministry

Hi Nick,

Mark 6:31: And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Some of the ingredients I 've found helpful to "rest" while you're busy in ministry:

~A grace-oriented daily devotional (like His Victorious Indwelling, N. Harrison)

~Personal Bible reading plan that is primarily for my fellowship with the Lord instead of sermon preparation. (See Grace Note; Balanced Diet Reading Plan.)

~Resolve overt and covert anger/frustration. This engages stressful circumstances to drain us emotionally and mentally. God's radical solution: full surrender to Him and abiding in Christ. (See Grace Notes: Defusing Anger, Transforming Irritations - www.GraceNotebook.com/ Grace Notes / Search)

~Finding a peaceful place. You may feel like there's no quiet place; find one somewhere. I've used the local library as a secondary office. Put cell on vibrate and answer calls together when ready.

~Listen to praise music (headphones) at the end of the day to unwind, refresh, and re-focus. Your dreams will be more positive.

When I came across Steven Covey's material years ago, I noticed biblical principles involved (tho he's a Mormon). For example, The "7th habit" has to do with the wisdom of budgeting time and resources for personal rest, intellectual growth and--most of all-devotional refreshment. Here's a summary of Covey's version: https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits-habit7.php

May the Lord give us wisdom to apply the "sabbath" principle in a way that is personal and practical.

Psalm 116:7: "Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you."

- John Woodward