Pastor gave us a lot to think about this week. Pastor began with the 5th chapter of Isaiah, verses 11-12. This speaks of the bad things that a person might get involved in. God said, "Woe to them that rise up in the morning and drink strong drink until night comes and wine inflames them." It tells of the music of harps and other instruments that are pleasing to the ear. How they listen to them but they regard not the work of the Lord.
Then in verse 14, we find what the results of this kind of life will bring. Hell hath enlarged herself to accommodate the evil that lives in the hearts of men and they will descend into it. Oh my -- what an awful thought that this will be the end of disobedient people! If you go on to the 20th verse, it tells of many evil things that you will be judged for. One that really sticks out to me is the 21st which says, "Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight." This is what Pastor is saying in this message, resist the devil and he will flee from you. However, if we become weak and fall into evil, we will be numbered with those who will suffer eternal hell.
This fact is established again in James 4:7. We are to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil. Our biggest problem is staying focused on God and his work. It takes a true man or woman to keep righteousness number one in our daily life. We must be courageous and fight for the right. James 1:12 takes us one step further. It proclaims, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall resist and receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to those who love him."
You see, we are walking in this world but we are not of the evil in today's world. In 2nd Corinthians 10:3-5 it tells us, "We are not carnal, but mighty through God's spirit." We have to be on guard for it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. If you do not stand for the God that we serve, you will surely lose that crown of life.
In 1st Peter 5:5, we are told that we are responsible for teaching younger Christians to be subject to the elder. All must be subject one to the other, and be clothed with humility for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. If we teach them to rise above evil and choose to follow God, they will learn respect and find a victorious life.
If you read the 1st chapter of Job, you will find just how hard it can be to resist the temptation that Satan sets before us. Job was a true man of strength and stood alone when his own wife turned on him. Men, think about that situation. Satan's goal is to take over the life of anyone that has breath. This is a hard thing to face, because the devil is going to and fro, seeking whom he might cause to stray from the narrow path of righteousness. Job was in such a terrible condition that it was a miracle that he had the courage to withstand the temptations that Satan set before him. He lost all his worldly goods but he never lost the faith. In the end, God restored even more than what Job lost. Always remember you can never out-give our Heavenly Father.
Pastor took us to Genesis 39:1-19 where we find another account of a man who did not succumb to temptation. Instead, he told Potiphar's wife he wanted nothing to do with her being unfaithful to her husband. Because she felt scorned, she accused Joseph of a wrong relationship with her and caused Potiphar to be in a rage. This resulted in Joseph being put into prison. But God honored his refusal to be tempted and He allowed the prison's keeper to show favor to Joseph. God was with the keeper of the prison and He set Joseph in a position of authority over the prisoners. How awesome is our God that he can take bad and turn it to our good! We just have to have the courage to step out and claim victory in the name of Jesus. When the enemy attacks our lives, we are never alone. God will be right there with us. By resisting the evil and turning to the good, we will forever be victorious.
I pray this message was a blessing to you. It was a great blessing to my soul.
We would like to invite you to come worship with us in Lanagan, Mo. You will find us at the top of the hill where our church has a steeple pointing souls to Heaven. We are the Cove Mission of Hope. Services are at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning and 6 p.m. in the evening. Then again on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. we have a very informative Bible Study.
In closing, I would like to tell my Pastor that because of his message, I have the courage to accept a challenge and resist defeat. Thank you, Pastor Bob Cartwright.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.