Failing to Listen to God
Listening to God is not a onetime event. We must continually keep His Word before us, or we'll begin to listen to the wrong voices.
In Genesis 2:16-17, the Lord gave a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Eve began to listen to another voice and did not hold firmly to her Creator's words. All that Satan had to do was plant a single doubt about God's integrity and offer Eve one appealing advantage of doing things her own way—and she fell for it. He mentioned wisdom, but using her own reasoning, Eve added two more benefits to the temptation: the fruit is good for food and a delight to the eyes.
The schemes of the Enemy have not changed. He still whispers lies and twists truth to convince us that a) God cannot be trusted and b) His ways are not the best. In every temptation, there is a deception about the character and motive of God, plus an attractive promise of a better way.
The world is filled with voices that vie for our attention and influence our thoughts and actions. Throughout the day, consider the messages that are sent your way through the media and people. Consciously begin to compare them to what Scripture says about God and His ways.
Remembering what God says in the Bible is our safeguard against deception and temptation. Daily devotions won't protect us if they're quickly forgotten during the day. Follow Christ's example: be ready with truth in your mind and on your tongue whenever temptation strikes (Matt. 4:1-11).
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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The Christian life is all about choices. Our first and most important choice is to receive Christ as our Savior. But after that initial life changing decision, we are then faced with the daily, (and really moment by moment) choice to follow and serve God fully. So Psalm 16:5 was a nice reminder for me about the importance of being intentional about starting my day focused on God and His Word, and considering how I can best serve and follow Him that day.
"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot."
Would you say you're intentional about choosing to follow and serve God each day? How would you explain or describe "the Lord being your chosen portion" to another person?
~Tami~
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It’s Time to Get Serious
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
We are changed from glory to glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean it happens overnight. But one step at a time.
Today you ought to have a little more glory than yesterday. Today you ought to be a little bit more like Jesus than you were yesterday. And tomorrow, you ought to be even more like Jesus. Are you becoming like Jesus? Not if you’re not in the Word. Don’t you think it’s time for this generation to get serious about the Word of God?
ACTION POINT:
Set aside a time and a place to get alone with Him every day and pray, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
We are changed from glory to glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean it happens overnight. But one step at a time.
Today you ought to have a little more glory than yesterday. Today you ought to be a little bit more like Jesus than you were yesterday. And tomorrow, you ought to be even more like Jesus. Are you becoming like Jesus? Not if you’re not in the Word. Don’t you think it’s time for this generation to get serious about the Word of God?
ACTION POINT:
Set aside a time and a place to get alone with Him every day and pray, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
~Adrian Rogers~
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Travel Temptations
My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon. Proverbs 7:19–20
How do you deal with temptation when you travel? Conversely, what is your behavior when you are the spouse left back at home? Is your house a palace of peace or a prison of confinement? Not only must the weary traveler be wary of wrong behavior, but also the one left holding down the fort. Perhaps as a couple you craft guidelines defining what you will and will not do while separated by travel.
Distance can grow the heart fonder and more faithful or fire the flames of lust and infidelity. If you travel for your work, you most likely are motivated to meet the needs of your family. However, every assignment is for a season. Maybe it is time to get off the road and reconnect with your child who is approaching the teen years, or be there more often for your spouse who is starved for extra emotional support. Just be willing to adjust.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33–34).
Moreover, do not drift into travel temptations that become divisive and deteriorate your marriage. One boundary may be to avoid bars and get back to your room soon after work and dinner. A righteous routine on the road gets the right results. Whenever possible, make it a priority to travel with another person of similar values. Be bold by becoming an influencer of integrity: good, clean fun without flirting with sin. On the other hand, your role in the marriage may be to support the children and manage the home daily. Take pride, not pity, during this season of unselfish service.
By God’s grace you are molding their minds to the things of Christ, influencing the culture with His kingdom priorities. As you are working to preserve the family, you are as valuable as the one out working to provide for the family. Stay occupied in prayer, Bible study, and their school, and be available to those who need you. Marriage is a team effort that sees outstanding results when you are both on the same page of love and obedience to Christ. Travel temptations are terminated on both ends through trust in the Lord and trust in each other.
“He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him” (Psalm 22:8).
Prayer: What behavioral boundaries related to our time apart do I need to co-create with my spouse?
~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
How do you deal with temptation when you travel? Conversely, what is your behavior when you are the spouse left back at home? Is your house a palace of peace or a prison of confinement? Not only must the weary traveler be wary of wrong behavior, but also the one left holding down the fort. Perhaps as a couple you craft guidelines defining what you will and will not do while separated by travel.
Distance can grow the heart fonder and more faithful or fire the flames of lust and infidelity. If you travel for your work, you most likely are motivated to meet the needs of your family. However, every assignment is for a season. Maybe it is time to get off the road and reconnect with your child who is approaching the teen years, or be there more often for your spouse who is starved for extra emotional support. Just be willing to adjust.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33–34).
Moreover, do not drift into travel temptations that become divisive and deteriorate your marriage. One boundary may be to avoid bars and get back to your room soon after work and dinner. A righteous routine on the road gets the right results. Whenever possible, make it a priority to travel with another person of similar values. Be bold by becoming an influencer of integrity: good, clean fun without flirting with sin. On the other hand, your role in the marriage may be to support the children and manage the home daily. Take pride, not pity, during this season of unselfish service.
By God’s grace you are molding their minds to the things of Christ, influencing the culture with His kingdom priorities. As you are working to preserve the family, you are as valuable as the one out working to provide for the family. Stay occupied in prayer, Bible study, and their school, and be available to those who need you. Marriage is a team effort that sees outstanding results when you are both on the same page of love and obedience to Christ. Travel temptations are terminated on both ends through trust in the Lord and trust in each other.
“He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him” (Psalm 22:8).
Prayer: What behavioral boundaries related to our time apart do I need to co-create with my spouse?
~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
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