Tuesday, September 5, 2006

The Beauty of Temptation


The Beauty of Temptation
Brad Reiches
Sep 5 2006 10:46PM

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Wednesday, September 6, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!

"The Beauty of Temptation"

"And Jesus returned (from the wilderness temptations)
in the power of the Holy Spirit."
Luke 4:14

God has a magnificent plan for you in the coming days, weeks, months and years (see Jeremiah 29:11).  However, the devil is banking on something:  He's banking on the supposition that what has worked against you in the past...will continue to keep you from God's best in th future.
 
But the beauty of temptation...is OPPORTUNITY!

The opportunity to resist!  "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).  The opportunity to overcome!
 
BEFORE WE CAN BECOME;
WE MUST FIRST OVERCOME!

-Pastor Brad

Successfully resisting temptation results in increased spiritual power and authority and influence for God's kingdom on the earth (see Luke 4:1-14).  The "strong support" (see 2 Chronicles 16:9) of the Lord is upon the overcomer!

For centuries God has used the devil to bring about His own purposes (see Genesis 50:20; Job 1 & 2; Matthew 4:1-10).  "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1).  Why would the Holy Spirit lead someone into temptation?  For the ensuing fruit that results when the temptation is overcome! 

"The refining pot is for silver
and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests hearts."
Proverbs 17:3


God tests (see James 1:  13-16).  The devil tempts (see Luke 4:2).

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