Temptations

05 May 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Uncategorized Tags:

No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it. ~1 Cor. 10:13 (CEB)

It is important to realize that I will be tempted. It’s an unavoidable part of life. It’s not a question of if but when. I can beat temptations but not by my own might or strength. Relying on myself is a sure way to succumb. But when I put God’s Word in my heart, when I rely on His strength and trust in His promises, there’s no temptation I can’t overcome.

Even though God wants me to take issues as they come, wisdom looks ahead. I need to be prepared with an answer or avoid situations that I know would not be good for me. I told a teen group that was doing a Bible study with me that they needed to think ahead to what their answer would be to drugs and alcohol before they were asked. If an answer wasn’t ready they could be caught off guard and end up doing something that they really didn’t want to do.

Temptations are just a part of everyday life. Some things we learn to get past quickly. Other things seem to take greater effort. I just need to look for the “out” that God has promised to supply, tackling each temptation as it comes. God has instilled within me the ability to conquer and with endurance victory will come.

Help me hide your word deep in my heart Lord, so that I may draw strength and confidence from your truths. Give me your wisdom to think ahead to situations so that I may be prepared for battle. Amen.

 

Meeting others needs out of our abundance

08 May 2012 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Uncategorized

But the LORD says, “Because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy, I’m now standing up. I will provide the help they are gasping for.” ~ Psa 12:5 (CEB)

I have heard people say that they have a hard time believing in a God that allows bad things to happen. I struggle with this sometimes too. Recently I saw a picture posted to Facebook that said, “Sometimes I want to ask God why he allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it, but I am afraid He just might ask me the same question.”

Am I really doing all that I need to be doing? My pastor a few weeks back made a comment to me that there is enough in the world for everyone. Greed, politics and simply cluelessness keep needs from being met. Her sermon series the last few weeks has been focusing on hunger and meeting that hunger out of our abundance.

When you hear the staggering statistics of people who are starving and dying it feels overwhelming. But instead of turning away from the problem I need to remember that even though there is more than I can do, there is enough for everyone to do something. The point is no, I can’t solve all the problems, but I can find one place that I can make a difference.

Heavenly Father, help me to see with your eyes, hear with your ears and love with your heart. You placed us in the world with the purpose of taking care of the earth and all that live on it. Guide me as I strive to be your hands and feet in the world. May I always be aware of what I can do to make a difference. Amen.