Temptation
In an age that has lost any sense of sin, why worry about temptation? C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity, makes the case that resisting temptation is not easy for Christians: A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is… A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. Being tempted does not mean that you have sinned, nor does it mean that you will. Jesus’ temptations Luke 4:1-14) are proof that one is not sinning when he/she is being tempted. It is important, however, to have strategies for dealing with all the temptations we will face in our lives. There are practical ways to deal with temptations that will leave each of us feeling better about ourselves without having to deal with the aftermath of guilt. Stay away from Situations That Make Us Vulnerable We must stay away from people and situations that will cause us to compromise our convictions. Will Rogers was right when he said, “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” Keeping ourselves out of parking spaces that will affect our vulnerability is crucial for our success in saying no to whatever is tempting us. Pray Throughout the Temptation During Jesus’ closing words in the Lord’s Prayer, the Lord taught us to pray, “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13 NLT). A prayerful lifestyle will help divert our sinful desires away from doing wrong. Our prayers help us keep our spiritual convictions and commitments in focus. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde said, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it… I can resist everything but temptation.” A person with such an attitude will never experience the triumph to overcome and resist those things in our lives that can ultimately destroy relationships, jobs, friendships, or integrity. Prayer is one the best method to keep from yielding to temptation because it keeps our focus on God’s priorities and asks for God’s help for our situations. Take Temptation Seriously Temptation is serious. It must never be taken lightly. It is important to resist any desire that would rob our relationship with God, Jesus, and Spirit. Jesus’ brother James reminds us of the ultimate outcome of temptation when we choose to go with our sinful desires: Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death (James 1:14-15 NLT) James also teaches us how to resist these temptations: Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you… (James 4:7-8). The moment we let our guard down, is the very moment we become vulnerable and more likely we give in to the temptation. Temptation is serious and we must choose to draw near to God for help. While it is extremely important to read and know Scripture, to pray for God’s help, and to resist temptation’s pull, we need human help. We all need someone who we will let hold us accountable. Someone who will be “straight up” and honest with us and our life as Jesus’ disciple. We need to know this person has our best interest at heart. And, we need to invite them to help us with our temptations. At the same time, we must stay focused on God’s will and stay away from those things that will harm us! We must never keep God out of any part of life! We need to keep Jesus on the center stage of our hearts. We must allow the Holy Spirit to do the convincing that God’s way is the right way and help us stay far away from what could tempt us to do wrong. Remember, be God Controlled! About the author: Brian is preaching minister at Central Church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is passionate about preaching the grace of God, the Lordship of Jesus and the indwelling Spirit. Most of all, he believes in preaching Jesus and blogging about practical things that will help believers remain under God’s guidance.
God’s Horizon
How far can you see? The first day of the week exploded on the eastern horizon. The few clouds left in this winter sky were ablaze with the promise of a gorgeous new day. On the opposite horizon, the full moon slowly made its way toward its vanishing point. Growing larger with each barely perceptible slip, the blue moon was still fully illuminated in the dusk of pre-dawn. In stereo, the music of both horizons spoke of a gentle night that had past and the glory of the coming Lord’s Day. Caught between the majesty of the night’s moon and the beauty of the sunrise, I slowed my car and thought for a moment of trying to capture the event on film. It would take at least three careful clicks of the camera. What I would capture, however, couldn’t begin to do justice to this incredible moment. I decided not to stop. While some of the picture might be magnificent, this was a moment to be remembered in its richness, not abridged in a two dimensional snapshot that could not do justice to the Creator’s wondrous work on the canvas of our world. I chose instead, to ponder the wonder of God’s love for us. The God of all eternity – who spoke and made our wondrous universe and who paints each sunrise – is accessible and attentive to me. Unbelievable! I slid in Chris Rice’s wonderful song, “And Your Praise Goes On” and enjoyed a few moments of glorious praise – the praise of my heart, the praise of Chris Rice’s song, and the stereo praise of the morning. Then it hit me. God has revealed himself as “The One who is and who was and who is to come.” (Revelation 1:8) The horizon of God’s existence is sunrise, sunset, and the ground in between, all at the same time. The dynamic painting unfolding before me, behind me, and around me, was God’s canvas and symbolic of his horizon. The beginning, the end, and the now are all together in one frame. What I could only dream of capturing with my camera with three pictures, God always is. Then it hit me again. God has given us a gift to help us share his horizon. The Lord’s Supper joins us in all three dimensions: we remember Jesus’ death for us at Calvary, we discern his Body present with us as we share the Supper with others, and we anticipate his triumphant return all in the same Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:24-29) We see the moon setting, the sun rising and also live in the space between with Jesus as our Lord! For a moment, we get to step outside our shallow view of time and walk with God on his horizon. As we do, we get to anticipate that horizon one day being our own! May his glory, his comfort, his grace, and his children’s praise, go on and on! About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
Putting Words into God’s Mouth
Did God really say that? It’s frustrating when facts ruin a good story. I was researching the famous statement that cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made after the first successful space flight, when he commented that he hadn’t seen God in space. Trouble is, there’s no record of Gagarin having said anything like that. Turns out that Gagarin was a religious man, an active member of the Russian Orthodox church. General Valentin Petrov, a close friend of Gagarin, offers this quote from the cosmonaut: “An astronaut cannot be suspended in space and not have God in his mind and his heart.” Just because someone says a famous person said something, doesn’t mean they actually did. We’ve seen example after example of that on the Internet. One person misquoting another is far too common. It happens with God, too. People stand up and say, “God likes this” or “God hates that,” when God never said anything of the sort. Even Christians end up misquoting God or putting words into God’s mouth. So what can we do? Here are some suggestions: Read the Bible. I know that seems obvious, but it’s a step that many skip. If you want to know what God said, read it for yourself. Learn to differentiate between what God says and man says. Did you know that not everything in the Bible is true? That is, at times the Bible gives us an accurate report of what men have said, even when those men aren’t right. We see that in the book of Job, for example, when we have the reporting of entire speeches by Job’s friends, only to have God say to them, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right.” (Job 42:7) Sometimes, the words recorded in the Bible aren’t God’s words, but man’s. Don’t put words into God’s mouth. If you’re going to say, “God says,” make sure you’re actually quoting God. If you’re going to say, “The Bible says…,” make sure you’re quoting the Bible and not giving your interpretation of what is written. Fact check what others tell you about God. This goes back to the first point. Don’t accept what others tell you about God until you see it for yourself in the Bible. When you start to see what God really has said, you’ll learn that he has good news for this world. If you want to know more about that good news, Write me at tarcher@heraldoftruth.org or join us on www.hopeforlife.org. (Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article. Contact us at info@hopeforlife.org) About the author: Tim Archer is the author of Church Inside Out and leads a seminar by the same name on behalf of Hope For Life, a Herald of Truth ministry.
Learning to See
When was the last time your really opened your eyes? A worthy goal for each of us is learning to see. Have you ever puzzled over those statements in the Bible about people who had eyes but could not see? Tried to figure out the occasional exhortation for people to see things that are right before their eyes? It isn’t really that difficult. We use the same figure of speech still. “Open your eyes, man!” somebody tells his friend. “Can’t you see she’s in love with you?” Or perhaps it is a parent to a child: “The answer is already there, if you will just open your eyes to see it.” In the Bible and in everyday conversation, statements such as these seldom have anything to do with physical eyesight. The issue isn’t glasses, contacts, or laser surgery. It almost always has to do with perception and understanding. It is the sort of seeing we have in mind with the word “insight.” Using the coming months as a learn-to-see time challenges each of us to view reality more spiritually. Yes, we pray for the Kingdom to come. But we can do more in the meanwhile than just tread water. We can submit to spiritual discipline in the same way athletes accept physical training and conditioning. Take a sticky note and print these words in bold letters: “Your task today is to honor God in all you do!” Put the note on the first thing you will see in the morning – coffee cup, makeup or shaving mirror, computer screen. When you see that note every morning, breathe this simple prayer: “Holy God, let my eyes be open to your presence and your will throughout this day.” Then taking your shower or eating a bagel can be an exercise in gratitude. Walking outside lets you reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. Hearing music or seeing children on their way to school is his invitation to joy. Getting caught in traffic can be turned into a prayer that God teach you patience. Dealing with students, clients, or colleagues can be your opportunity to serve them in Christ’s name. Celebrate their successes. Be a friend in their distress or discouragement. Before going to bed each night – perhaps with these two questions written on a bookmark in your Bible – ask: When did I feel most alive to God and others today?When did I most feel like life was being drained from me? End your day by thanking God for the former and surrendering the latter to his grace. This is no “magic formula” for spirituality. It is nothing more or less than the daily routine of many Christians whose goal is to grow in likeness to Jesus. This simple plan could open your eyes to things you have been missing. But I tell you, open your eyes. Look at the people. They are like fields ready for harvesting now. (John 4:35 ERV) About the author: Rubel Shelly preached for decades, been a professor of medical ethics, Bible, and philosophy at multiple universities and a med school. He is currently Professor of Philosophy & Religion at Lipscomb University. He is the author of more than 30 books and hundreds of inspirational articles.
Daily Prayer for January 8
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Luke 17:5–6, NIV Father in heaven, we thank you for the many ways you strengthen us and reveal your life to us. We thank you for all your protection, also for your protection of our faith and hope. Grant that your Spirit may penetrate us more and more, enabling us to be your witnesses in this evil and unhappy world. May your Spirit give us hope for this life and for the life to come. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Forsaking Mammon Andreas Ehrenpreis Community is not compulsory; it a joyful, voluntary act of surrender. Read now Beckoned by Beauty Kacey Sycamore How I stumbled into a story much bigger than my own – and found my way to the Bruderhof. Read now How Does Scripture Talk About Beauty? Joy Marie Clarkson and Ben Quash In a new season of the Another Life podcast, Joy Marie Clarkson and Ben Quash look at beauty in the Old and New Testaments. Read now Icon or Idol? Natalie Carnes Christianity has a love-hate relationship with sacred art. Read now The Riddle of Beauty in Nature C. S. Lewis and Gregory of Nyssa Why the poets tell us lovely falsehoods about nature. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 5
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16, NIV Dear Father in heaven, be close to us as we seek you in the quiet of our hearts. Grant us the strength of your Spirit, the strength to wait patiently for your help in our lives. Help us to hold to all that is good. Help us to feel, each one of us, that we are your children and that we may rejoice in your fatherly care. May your will be done more and more fully in us and around us. May your will be done so that we may be given ever greater freeing and your light can dawn where there is still darkness. Amen. Recent articles on Plough How Does Scripture Talk About Beauty? Joy Marie Clarkson and Ben Quash In a new season of the Another Life podcast, Joy Marie Clarkson and Ben Quash look at beauty in the Old and New Testaments. Read now Icon or Idol? Natalie Carnes Christianity has a love-hate relationship with sacred art. Read now The Riddle of Beauty in Nature C. S. Lewis and Gregory of Nyssa Why the poets tell us lovely falsehoods about nature. Read now Luna of Tasajera Philip Holsinger On a windswept island far from the gangs and prisons, I saw the future of El Salvador. Read now Finding Faith on YouTube Nathan Dufour Oglesby Can anything good come out of Gen Z Christians arguing about doctrine on YouTube? I think so. Read now
Blessed Christmas!
Our prayer is that the presence of Jesus be with you and fill you with hope, peace, and love! In a year of trouble, sorrow, isolation, and loss, our prayer is that you can experience the presence of Immanuel, God with us! All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:22-23). In the beginning the Word already existed.The Word was with God,and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him,and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us (John 1:1-18 NLT). May your greatest blessings this Christmas be the family and friends gathered around you, the memories of past Christmases where grace abounded, and your steadfast faith that the One Who came as Immanuel is coming again! Special thanks for the use of images related to Jesus’ ministry from The Lumo Project and Free Bible Images. About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
Daily Prayer for December 24
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”…Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10–11, 13–14, NIV Lord God, our Father in heaven, you have sent us the Savior, who was born to bring great joy to all people. Glorify your name, we pray. Give the world the peace you alone can give, the peace that wells up in our hearts. Let your favor rest on us so that we may hold out under our sufferings on earth. We need your loving help to remain inwardly steadfast until everyone can be reached by the message, “Be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Carol of the Birds Marianne Wright Listen to a carol that Pablo Casals considered one of the most beautiful melodies ever created. Read now The Legend of the Christmas Rose Selma Lagerlöf In this Christmas story, an outcast family of robbers, a sympathetic abbot, and a hard-hearted lay brother witness a miracle. Read now God’s Wisdom Made Visible Elizabeth Lev Giotto di Bondone’s Nativity was a revolutionary work in its time. Read now Caroling to Neighbors Bethany Joy Hebbard Caroling with children may feel awkward, but it’s a great way to share Christmas with neighbors – and to recall Mary and Joseph going door to door. Read now The Child Who Turned the World Upside-Down Sigrid Undset The devil, no matter his disguise, is no match for Mary’s son. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 17
For it was life which appeared before us: we saw it, we are eyewitnesses of it, and are now writing to you about it. It was the very life of all ages, the life that has always existed with the Father, which actually became visible in person to us mortal men. 1 John 1:2, Phillips Lord our God, we thank you that you have given us the light of life, that we can now learn how to live, and that through your great grace we may understand life in direct relationship with the Lord Jesus, who was crucified and who rose from the dead. Grant that the power of Christ may be made visible in us. Grant that his life may become our life, that we may leave behind all doubts and anxiety, even though we are often surrounded by darkness and night. Keep us in your Word. Let your will hold sway over all the world, for your will must be done in heaven, on earth, and down to the lowest depths. Let your will be done on earth as in all the heavens. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Children of Terabithia Caitrin Keiper What is there of beauty in losing an unborn baby? Read now Six Ways to Resist the Machine Paul Kingsnorth The technological mindset is corrupting our souls. It’s time to fight. Read now My Mother’s Hidden Radiance Brandon Vaidyanathan For years, her mental illness kept me from seeing her beauty. Read now Dogs, Deer, Herons, and the Promise of Beauty Peter Mommsen Beauty, says the French novelist Stendhal, is the promise of joy. But is it a promise we can trust? Read now Living on Manger Street Stephanie Saldaña A current resident of Bethlehem on the meaning of Advent in a country at war. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 8
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7– 8, NIV Father in heaven, we surrender ourselves to your love, the love in which Christ comes to us. Like children we say every day to the Lord Jesus himself, “Lord Jesus, come, come! Even if we cannot see you today because times have changed, come into the world, come more and more into world history. Send more and more of your nature, your goodness, into all hearts. Come at last, come quickly to bring an end to the adversary, an end to world power with its sinister, hostile character. May bright day, clear light from the Father in heaven, dawn through you, Lord Jesus. Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Humans Aren’t the Only Pebble on the Cosmic Beach Alison Milbank and Joy Marie Clarkson Joy and Alison discuss the importance of angels and why parishes are good. Read now Seeing Our Way to Humanity Coretta Thomson Through the weeds, Frederick Franck’s sculpture park Pacem in Terris still speaks. Read now Unanswered Prayers in Ukraine Taras Dyatlik During another Advent in wartime, a Ukrainian pastor wrestles with the silence of heaven. Read now A Christmas Song for the Ages Chris Zimmerman With its tone of reverent awe, Max Bruch’s “In der Christnacht” captures the essence of Holy Night without mistletoe or even shepherds and kings. Read now Can Beauty and Justice Meet in Architecture? Kelly W. Foster An architect feels forced to choose between beauty for the rich and justice for the poor. A tuberculosis sanatorium shows him he doesn’t have to. Read now