Run Away from sexual Desire Inducements

 *Run away from sexual desire inducements!"*

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Samson and David were drawn by Satan through sexual desire.  This David defeated Goliath.  But he could not conquer his own desire!  Many of the Godly men who were strong enough, have fallen severely in this area. 

Those who are careless or lack control over moral discipline in this area are more likely to fall prey to Satan's weapon.  For example, look at today's fashionable clothes of women.  The areas that God wanted to hide with cloth, are now reveals up for the public, in the name of “Designs”, exposing the hidden body parts!

God made it clear through Genesis 3:21, that the body of Adam and Eve should be clothed and well covered.

Satan has carefully planned through cinemas, advertising posters on both sides of the road,  through News papers and magazines, which in the name of 'beauty models', are exposing the naked bodies; Satan has ensnared countless men into the trap of enslaving them to their lusts!

In these critical days, like Job it is necessary to keep our eyes “under the control of the covenant” and to control our desires!  (Job 31:1).  We must refuse to see or read anything that ‘ignites these despicable desires’.  David had no such control, and that was why he sinned! (2 Samuel 11: 2).

It was only after David learned this bitter lesson,  he prayed, "Lord, turn away my eyes from  worthless things" (Psalm 119: 37).  It is good for us to pray the same prayer!!

🙏 *Prayer:*
Our heavenly Father!  In this world that filled with the fornication spirit, give us the pure heart to live 'strictly' like Job!  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rich man and lazarus

PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.

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LUKE 16:19-31

[The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]

  c 19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day [For convenience' sake, this rich man has been commonly called Dives, which is simply Latin for rich man, and is therefore not truly a name, for it is not fitting to name him whom the Lord left nameless. Along the coast of Tyre there was found a rare shell-fish (Murex purpurarius) from which a costly purple dye was obtained, each little animal yielding about one drop of it. Woolen garments dyed with it were worn by kings and nobles, and idol images were sometimes arrayed in them. This purple robe formed the outer, and the linen the inner garment. The byssus, or fine linen of Egypt, was produced from flax, which grew on the banks of the Nile. It was dazzlingly white, and worth twice its weight in gold ( Genesis 41:42 ; Exodus 26:31-33 ; 28:5 ; 1 Chronicles 15:27 ; 27:7 ). The mention of these garments and a continual banqueting indicates a life of extreme luxury.]

  20 and a certain beggar [literally, one who crouches. It is used thirty-four times in the New Testament, and is everywhere translated "poor" save here and at Galatians 4:9 . In the last stages of life Lazarus had become an object of charity, but there is nothing to indicate that he had been an habitual beggar] named Lazarus [This is the only name which occurs in our Lord's parables. It is derived from Eleazar, which means, God a help. The name is symbolic of destitution, and many words indicative of beggary are derived from it] was laid at his gate [in the East the gates of the rich are still the resorts of the poor.] full of sores,

  21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores.

[The contrast here is sharp. Lazarus is naked and clothed with sores instead of rich apparel, and desires crumbs instead of a banquet. That he limited his desire to crumbs suggests a freedom from both worldly lust and envy. Whether he got the crumbs is not stated. His sufferings may have been as unmitigated on earth as those of the rich man were in Hades (verse 24), and it is certain that even if he received the crumbs they did not count as a gift, being mere refuse, utterly worthless in the sight of the rich man. The very point of the parable is that the rich man gave him nothing. The dogs also suggest a contrast. The rich man is surrounded by loyal brethren and attentive servants, while Lazarus is the companion of dogs, the scavengers of the streets, who treat him with rude compassion as one of their number, soothing his sores with their saliva.]

  22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom [it is the office of angels to minister to the heirs of salvation-- Matthew 24:31 ; Mark 13:27 ; Hebrews 1:14 ]: and the rich man also died, and was buried. [In death as well as in life the two men stand in contrast. The rich man passes from view with the pomp and pagentry of a burial ( 2 Chronicles 16:13 2 Chronicles 16:14 ), an earthly honor suited to a worldly life. But Lazarus passes hence with the angels, a spiritual triumph suited to one accepted of God.]

  23 And in Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth [ Revelation 14:10 ] Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [Hades (Greek), or Sheol (Hebrew), was the name given to the abode of the dead between death and the resurrection. In it the enjoy a paradise ( Luke 23:43 ). The joys of Paradise were conceived of as those of a feast, and the expression "Abraham's bosom" is taken from the custom of reclining on couches at feasts. As a guest leaned upon his left arm, his neighbor on his left might easily lean upon his bosom. Such a position of respect to the master of the house was one of special honor, and indicated great intimacy ( John 1:18 ; 13:23 ). What higher honor or joy could the Jew conceive of than such a condition of intimacy and fellowship with Abraham, the great founder of their race?-- Matthew 8:11 .]

  24 And he cried [in earnest entreaty] and said, Father Abraham [the claim of kindred is not denied, but it is unavailing-- Luke 3:8 ], have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. [The smallness of the favor asked indicates the greatness of the distress, as it does in verse 21, where crumbs are desired. There is a reciprocity also between the desired crumbs and the prayed-for drop, which contains a covert reference to verses 4 and 5. Had the rich man given more he might now have asked for more. The friendship of Lazarus might have been easily won, and now the rich man needed that friendship, but he had neglected the principle set forth in verse 9, and had abused his stewardship by wasting his substance upon himself. Again, the former condition of each party is sharply reversed. Lazarus feasts at a better banquet, and the rich man begs because of a more dire and insatiable craving. Thus the life despised of men was honored by God, and (verse 15) the man who was exalted among men is found to have been abominable unto God.]

  25 But Abraham said, Son [a tender word-- Joshua 7:19 ], remember [ Proverbs 5:11-14 ] that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here [where a different order pertains from that of the earth] he is comforted and thou art in anguish. [The woes received by Lazarus are not spoken of as his. He neither earned nor deserved them ( Revelation 7:13-17 ). ( 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; 2 Corinthians 4:7 ), and in its small details he had shown great faithfulness. The rich man had the stewardship of wealth, with its accompanying obligation of generosity. This obligation he had esteemed as too contemptibly small to deserve his notice; but in neglecting it, he had inadvertently been unfaithful in much. See verse 10. This has been the sin of omission on the part of the rich man, and his sin of commission answered as a complement to it, for he had been guilty of that money-loving self-indulgence which was condemned by Jesus and justified by the Pharisees (verses 14, 15). No other crime is charged against the rich man, yet he is found in torment. But the rich man during his lifetime had been so deceived by his wealth that he had failed to detect his sin. Moreover, as he indicates in verse 28, a like deception was now being practiced upon his brethren. Thus the parable justifies the term "unrighteous" which Jesus had given to mammon at verses 9, 11.]

  26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us. [We have here a clear statement of the separation which parts the good from the evil in the future state. But it has been urged that the coloring and phraseology of this parable is derived from rabbinical teaching, that our Lord made use of a current but erroneous Jewish notion to teach a valuable lesson, and that therefore it is not safe to draw any inferences from the narrative relative to the future state. But it should be observed that the parables of Jesus never introduce fictitious conditions, nor do they anywhere violate the order and course of nature. It is hardly possible that he could have made this an exception to his rule, especially since it is in a field where all the wisdom of the world is insufficient to make the slightest correction. Moreover, it is certainly impossible that he could exaggerate the differences between the states of the lost and saved in the hereafter. Nor can the teaching of the parable be set aside on the ground that it represents merely the intermediate intermediate condition of things is fixed and established, the final condition must, a fortiori, be more so. Moreover, the teaching here differs from that of the old rabbis, for, according to Lightfoot, a wall and not a gulf separated between the just and the unjust, and they were not "afar off" from each other, the distance being but a handbreadth. The passage therefore confirms the doctrine that the righteous are neither homeless nor unconscious during the period between death and the resurrection ( Philippians 1:23 ), and refutes the doctrine of Universalism, for the gulf is, 1, fixed, and, 2, can not be passed or bridged. The gulf of pride and caste between the rich man and Lazarus while on earth was easy to cross.]

  27 And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house [The double attempt of the rich man to use Lazarus as his servant shows how hard it was for him to adjust himself to his new condition];

  28 for I have five brethren [there is no typical significance in the number]; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [Deceived by his wealth, the rich man looked upon his earthly possessions as real and substantial, and, like rich sinners of to-day, had simply disregarded the affairs of the future life. Aroused by the sudden experience of the awful realities of the future state, he desires to make it as real to his brethren as it had now become to him. In endeavoring to carry out his desire he proceeds on the theory that the testimony of the dead in reference to the realities of the future state are more trustworthy and influential than the revelations of God himself, given through his inspired spokesmen. This dishonoring of God and his law was to be expected from one who had made mammon his real master, even though professing (as the context suggests) to serve God. The singleness of his service is shown in that he, though practically discharged by one master--mammon, can not even now speak respectfully of God. Some commentators make much of the so-called repentance of the rich man, manifested in this concern for his brethren; but the Lord did not much less of repentance (Luke vi. 32-35, tfg.cgi?section=T#">Section Besides the natural feeling for his brothers, he knew that their presence in torment would add to his own. His concern for his brethren is not told to indicate repentance. It is mentioned to bring out the point that the revealed will of God of itself and without more makes it inexcusable for a man to lead a selfish life.]

  29 But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets [i. e., the entire Old Testament]; let them hear them. [ John 1:45 ; 5:39-46 ; Luke 24:27 . The Scriptures are a sufficient guide to godliness-- 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:17 , and a failure to live rightly when possession them is due to lack of will, and not to lack of knowledge.]

  30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. [With the spirit of a true Pharisee, he sought a sign for his brothers. See Section 49. But the guidance of Scripture is better than any sign.]

  31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead. [These words might sound like an overstatement of the obduracy of unbelief were they not amply verified by the literal facts. Jesus had already raised at least two from the dead as witnesses to his divine power, and he was about to raise a third, who, with startling suggestiveness, would bear this very name of Lazarus. But despite all these witnesses the majority of the Jews disbelieved and continued to disbelieve in him; nay, they even went so far as to seek the death of Lazarus that they might be rid of his testimony ( John 12:10 ). This is also a reference to Jesus' own resurrection. It is true that he did not appear in person to those who disbelieved in him, but they had clear knowledge of his resurrection ( Matthew 28:11-15 ), and it was considered as proved to all men-- Acts 17:31 .]

Jesus Took Our Place!

 Jesus Took Our Place

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Proverbs 3:6)

Jesus didn’t deserve to be crucified. He didn’t need to go through all that suffering, all that pain. He didn’t have to be humiliated, tortured, killed, and separated from God.

And yet He did. He did it for us. He did it because of us.

He took our place on the Cross so we can go free.

He was punished on our behalf so we can have the peace that He deserved.

He was scourged, beaten, tortured, so we can be perfectly healed.

He was humiliated, so that we can stand in all His glory and authority.

He died, so that we can live.

What is this love, that God is willing to die for man?

What is this power, that the chains of death can be broken?

What is this grace, that the undeserving can be redeemed?

He took our place, so that now we can take His.

His place as God’s beloved child.

His places as the spotless, blameless, and righteous one.

His place in God’s presence.

He has taken our place. Will you now take His?

Be Greatly Blessed!

Action Steps:

Realise who you truly are. You’ve been redeemed, saved from the clutches of the evil one.

All that Jesus deserved is now yours. He has taken your place on the cross.

So now take your place as the beloved child of God!

Let’s pray…

 

Prayer:

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us.

It’s only because of what He has done that I can now speak to you as your beloved child.

Through His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus took my sins, my shame and my guilt.

He took my place as a sinner, so that I can take His place as a righteous child of God.

What mercy! What grace! What love!

How can I ever thank you enough for what you’ve done for me?

Yet I’ll sing praises to you! Let my heart never forget all that you’ve done for me.

I’ll not let the evil one cheat me of my inheritance anymore.

I’ll take the rightful place that Jesus has bought for me.

I’ll stand boldly, as your righteous, beloved child.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

AMEN!

What Bible says about Judgement?

 

Bible Verses about Judgment Day, Our Final Judgment

• Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.1 Corinthians 4:5
• “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:10
• But I tell you that everyone will have to give 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.”Matthew 12:36-37
• I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his manifestation and his Kingdom2 Timothy 4:1
• “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”Revelation 20:11-15

Sexual acts forbidden in the Bible

Let us focus  on Romans 1:18-32 where the theme of God’s wrath is spoken of in relation to the idolatry of sexual sin, including the clearest prohibition against homosexuality and only mention of lesbianism in the entire Bible. Before we do, it is important to make note of all the sexual acts forbidden in the Bible.

1. Fornication (Gen. 38:24; cf. Lev. 21:9; Deut. 22:21; 1 Cor. 6:18, 7:2; Heb. 13:4).
2. Adultery (Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18; Prov. 6:32; Matt. 5:27-32, 15:19; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
3. Polygamy (Gen. 2:1-8 cf. Matt. 19:4-6; Gen. 4:19-24; 1 Ki. 11:1-9; 1 Tim. 3:2,12)
4. Rape (Gen. 34:1-31; Jdg. 19:1-30, 2 Sam. 13:11-14)
5. Incest (Lev. 18, 20, 27).
6. Homosexuality (Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9)
7. Bestiality (Ex. 22:19; Lev. 20:15-16; Deut. 27:21)
8. Prostitution (Lev. 19:29, 21:9; 1 Cor. 6:16).
9. Sexual Immorality  (referring to numerous sexual sins including pornographies) (Matt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 6:13, 6:18; Eph. 5:3; 1 Thess. 4:3)
10. Pagan sexual activity (Ex. 32; Is. 57:7-8; Hosea 4:12-14; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5)

As we read this list, the truth is we are all guilty of sexual sins in varying ways and to varying degrees. I was guilty of the first category before becoming a Christian and repenting of my sin by the Spirit’s power. All of us has at some point violated the ninth category with lustful thoughts about someone other than our spouse. The point is not to excuse the sins of others because of our guilt, but instead to show that only Jesus Christ is without any sexual sin in His heart or hands, and the rest of us need his forgiveness, healing, and power to live as God created us to.

Our foundation!

 Our Foundation

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“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV).

We each face trials in our lives that we must face head on. But we certainly do not face them alone! Isn’t it good to know the Lord is there by your side? His hand guides you through the rushing currents of your trials, and delivers you from the fires of fate.

For this reason we must extend our hands to meet His. Do not hesitate during times of trial! These are the times when you need Him the most, and luckily for us, he is always there! In Mark 10:27, Jesus said “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” What a power to have on your side!

And on your side He is! There is no force that can stop Him nor harm you when you are sheltered by our Lord. For all things are possible with God. Pray to him often when you find yourself in need, and the Lord will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory.

Let Him be your foundation in times of distress. Allow him into your life if you find yourself hesitant. The currents may attempt to pull you away, but His is the strongest foundation of all. When all things are possible, you can overcome the odds!

Prayer:

“Lord, be my foundation through times of trial. When I walk through swift waters and roaring fires, I will be by your side. Thank you for that, Lord. I seek to walk with you during these times. I extend my hand to meet yours so that you may guide me.”

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

AMEN!

Final Thoughts:

There shall be no force that cannot be overcome when the Lord is on your side. All things are possible through him, seek not to forget this! With him by your side, you can confidently face down the swiftest of currents, the strongest of winds, and the hottest of fires. For as long as you have a foundation as strong as the Lord, you shall prevail through it all!

Be Greatly Blessed!

Why we need God?

 

12 Reasons We Need God

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I know I need God, but too often, I act the opposite. I strive to achieve out of my own strength and knowledge instead of relying on God. I pretend to know all the answers and act like everything is under my control instead of acknowledging God as sovereign over all.

What I see as personal strength, God sees as pride. When I rely on myself instead of God, I reject the relationship God intended for us.

God set Himself up as our helper because He knows, our own limited ability will never be enough.  He invites us into a personal relationship with Him because He meets the needs no one else can meet.

God wants to demonstrate His love and faithfulness to us, but first, we must get out of His way; we must admit our weaknesses and realize our desperate need for Him.

12 Reasons We Need God

1. He gives eternal life.

Without God, life is temporary. And even our short earthly life is not life at all without God.

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” Ephesians 2:1-2 (NLT)

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” John 6:63 (NIV)

2. He provides us with everything we need.

God knows all of our needs, and as His beloved children, He looks after us.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV)

3. He alone can forgive our sins.

As Romans 3:23 states “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” As sinners, we need the saving forgiveness only God offers.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

4. He sends the Holy Spirit to be our helper.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 (ESV)

“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)” Romans 8:9 (NLT)

5. He gives us the power of His grace.

God’s grace not only covers our sins, but it gives us strength when we are weak, and trains us in God’s ways.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” Titus 2: 11-12

6. He bestows wisdom and guidance upon us.

With God we do not need to rely upon our own limited knowledge, for He gives us wisdom and directs our steps.

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26 (NASB)

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;” Psalm 37:23 (ESV)

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,” Jude 24 (NASB)

7. He protects us.

God is always present, offering refuge in the storms of life.

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5 (ESV)

8. He makes us a new creation.

With God, we can leave our sinful past behind us, and become new in Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5 (ESV)

9. He allows us to partake in His righteousness

We owe all our goodness to God.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

10. He fills us with peace.

In a world where stress and anxiety are the norm, we can call on God’s peace to reign within us.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

11. He covers us with Mercy

God demonstrates His compassion for us every day.

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

12. He frees us from being slaves to sin.

God frees us from the bondage of sin by breaking the strongholds in our lives and bringing us out of the darkness.

“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” Colossians 1:13

As we seek the life God intended, a life as a kingdom citizen, we need to humble ourselves before God and regularly acknowledge our need for Him.