Temptation and Ways of Escape

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Temptation

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust."1

Temptation. It befalls all of us. It can come directly from the devil, a devil's advocate, through a friend, or from my own self.

We are all open to temptation for, like a lawn bowl that has a bias (weight) on one side that causes it to curve away from the goal, we have a bias that, unless guarded, causes us to go astray and miss the mark of God's goal for us. The bias is our sin nature that we are all born with.

So how do we defend against temptation?

First and foremost, as author Max Lucado suggests in his book, On the Anvil, there are two very simple strategies for protecting ourselves from sin and temptation. The first is to recognize Satan. So often, we are lured into a sin because it looks so attractive, so fulfilling, so right at the time. So we find ways to rationalize our actions and make excuses for our attitudes. Instead, we must be like Jesus in the desert and call Satan by name. No more sugar-coating the truth. Don't try to water down the power of sin. Call it what it is.

Second, we can guard against some temptations by making sure we get legitimate needs met in legitimate ways. For instance, after fasting for forty days, Jesus was hungry. This is when Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. Satan always has a way to tempt us at our weakest and/or neediest point. For another example, some singles when they are lonely, instead of getting their companionship needs met in healthy ways, turn to sex as a poor substitute for love.

Third, realize that God's salvation begins at the point where we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord of our life—and as we grow in wholeness and maturity. As Jesus often asked, "Do you want to be made whole?" Wholeness is a requirement for wholesome living, for only to the degree that we are made whole will our lifestyle, our actions, our thoughts (the beginning point of temptation), our behavior, and our relationships be wholesome.

Fourth, walk with God. Growing in wholeness is a life-long process, so in the meantime to avoid giving in to temptation, we need not only to make sure we get our needs met in healthy ways, but also to walk with God. That is, we need to know what His Word teaches by reading and studying it faithfully, and we need to commit and trust our life to God every day, and seek His guidance and help to live a life that will glorify Him in all that we are and do.

Fifth, be filled with God's Spirit who gives us the insight to recognize temptation for what it is and the power to overcome its onslaughts.

Sixth, pray. Sometimes a simple prayer such as, "Help, God, Help," or stating firmly, "Jesus Christ is Lord," can be the best antidote against falling prey to temptation's alluring charms.

Lastly, when we do give in to temptation and sin, remember that God says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."2 The important thing is to get up, put things right where needed and possible, and go on.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You have provided a way of escape from giving in to temptation for me through Your so great salvation. Help me to keep growing in faith, love, maturity and wholeness, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I will have the strength to overcome every temptation. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. James 1:14 (NASB).
2. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV).

<)))><

http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=195

Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

Video Message From Dr. Mike Murdock To Wisdom Key 3000 Family Worldwide

Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

Anchored On Christ, the Solid Rock

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Anchored

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."1

The Stone House in Portugal. Now that’s a foundation built on solid rock!Photo Credit: LIGHTER SIDE REAL ESTATE.

Back in 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed thousands of homes in South Florida. Yet in an area where the wreckage looked like a war zone, one house remained standing, still firmly anchored to its foundation. When a reporter asked the homeowner why his house had not been blown away, he replied, "I built this house myself. I also built it according to the Florida state building code. When the code called for 2"x6" roof trusses, I used 2"x6" roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to the code could withstand a hurricane—and it did."2

I can identify with this builder because in former years I was a builder by trade and built my own home at the top of the Adelaide hills in Australia where the winds blow furiously. I not only built according to the local building codes, but went the second mile. Instead of using 2"x8" rafters I used 3"x8" and instead of using large nails to secure these, I used large coach screw/bolts, and so on. I lost a few roofing tiles on one occasion in a wild storm, but never was there any other damage.

As Jesus reminds us, it pays to build solidly on a solid foundation. He was referring to building our lives according to His code as found in His Word, the Bible. Those who do will not be swept away by the storms of life and adverse circumstances that threaten to destroy us.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to build my life on 'Christ, the Solid Rock' and live according to Your instructions as found in Your Word, the Bible. I thank You that if I do this, I have Your guarantee that with Your help I will be able to stand firm in all of life's storms. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 7:25 (NASB).
2. Tom Moore, preacher@hsnp.com cited in KneEmail, http://www.oakhillcoc.org.

<:><

http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=193.


Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

Use It or Lose It

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Use It or Lose It

"The LORD said to him [Moses], 'What is that in your hand?' And he said, 'A staff.'"1

I have read how in 1872, at the age of 16, Booker T. Washington (born a slave and then became the foremost black educator of the late 19th and early 20th centuries) decided he wanted to go to school. He walked 500 miles to Hampton Institute in Virginia, and presented himself to the head teacher. Washington later recalled, "Having been so long without proper food, a bath, and change of clothing, I did not make a very favorable impression upon her, and I could see at once that there were doubts in her mind about me."

Finally she said to him, "The adjoining recitation room needs cleaning. Take the broom and do it." A lesser person might have been insulted by being assigned menial work. But Washington recognized immediately that this was his big chance. He swept that room three times and dusted it four times. He even cleaned the walls and the closets. Then he reported to the head teacher that the job was finished. She examined that room like a drill sergeant. She even took a handkerchief and rubbed it across the top of a door. When she could not find a particle of dirt, she said, "I guess you will do to enter this institution."

As a 16-year-old, Washington could not do many things. But he could clean a room. And he did it gloriously. Extraordinary living begins with using what we have. What gifts and graces do you have that you have not fully activated?2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You use ordinary people to do ordinary things in extraordinary ways, as well as using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Please use me for whatever it is You have gifted me to do and want me to do—be it large or small—and thereby help make my world a better place in which to live. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."


1. Exodus 4:2 (NASB).
2. Bill Bouknight, http://www.eSermons.com, July 2002

<:><


Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

And God Gave Me the Xiaomi Mi4 I Asked For

I cannot deny Almighty God JEHOVAH the glory that He alone deserves and He will never share His glory with anybody.

It was last month that I was introduced to the Xiaomi smartphones, Redmi 2 and Mi4 online and I fell in love with the awesome Mi4 even before I saw it physically. I prayed, and wished to own one Mi4, because of the 1080p + Ultra HD 4k video camera that I can use to shoot my "Sights and Sounds of Lagos" series for mobile streaming on Afrinolly and later on cable TV networks. So, I went down on my knees and with my hands lifted up in praise and worship, I asked Almighty God JEHOVAH for a Xiaomi Mi4 with the expectation of buying one asap. But two weeks later, JSP Communications Limited invited me to meet with the famous Mr. Apple of Africa, Rutger Jan van Spaandonk, Chairman of Mobile in Africa (MIA) who is popularly known by most people simply as “RJ”, Executive Director of Core Group Africa, the sole distributors for Apple in Africa. He met with me and some selected top Nigerian journalists and bloggers, including the lovely big and beautiful Moji Delano and Mrs. Funke Osae-Brown of The Luxury Reporter (TLR) at the Lagos Sheraton in Ikeja. He showed us awesome features of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 and Mi4 with a multimedia presentation and later we had lunch and took pictures before leaving. I published my report on my popular blogs, Nigerians Report Online and TALK OF THE TOWN By Orikinla. Then last Friday, I got a call from the Nigerian head office of JSP to meet with their top executives and I chose to meet with them yesterday.
I went to their office and they gave me a brand new Mi4 signed and sealed by Xiaomi with love from China. Wow!
Exactly what I asked Almighty God JEHOVAH for!
Praise God, HALLELUJAH. Once again, Baba God has proved His faithfulness and loving kindness to me. He saved me the N55, 000 I would have spent to purchase the Mi4, one of the smartest smartphones in the world today.
I thank God.

My Mi4 sitting pretty.

Mi 4's 13MP Sony IMX 214 CMOS sensor can record 4K videos at 30 frames per second (3840 x 2160 pixels) in real time, and at 1080p resolution. Film a mini masterpiece or record your travels abroad, then admire your work with your friends and family on Mi TV, which also supports 4k video.


Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

Little Things—Big Consequences

Friday, December 11, 2015

Little Things—Big Consequences

"Catch the foxes for us,
The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards,
While our vineyards are in blossom."1

Not too long ago we had the opportunity to have a vacation in Hawaii where, of course, there are many beautiful beaches. At one particular picturesque beach where the grandkids were snorkeling, close by was a rocky section. Here was a warning sign painted with large bold red lettering that simply said, "Dangerous beach. When in doubt, don't."

All too often in similar situations some daredevils tempt fate and alas, too late, they realize that they made a drastic mistake and have been hurt badly or even lost their life.

"When in doubt, don't" is a handy motto to apply to every area of life—especially so in the area of relationships, morals and ethics.

Many a person has started on a downward path in an extremely small way saying to him/herself, "A little lie won't hurt; a little cheating won't be noticed; a little immoral slip isn't going to make any difference; one cigarette won't affect me; and one drug is meaningless.

What they don't realize is that all too often little things lead to big things—either for good or bad. As a kid, I attended a tiny church in my hometown. I started serving God as a young teenager by picking up the hymnals after both church services on Sundays. Just a little thing, but one thing led to another, to another, and to another—until for the last four decades I have had the privilege of reaching multiplied thousands with the gospel around the world, first through a literature ministry and for the last decade via email and the Internet.

The same principle applies to evil deeds. I imagine that the accountants at Enron, Arthur Andersen, WorldCom, etc., started in a very small way adjusting the books; here a small adjustment; there a small adjustment; next a little bigger adjustment; and so on until their companies collapsed.

My former broker in Australia who handled my retirement fund—30 years of savings—stole my entire fund several years ago as well as those of at least eight other clients. He either hid all this money or spent it because, when he was ordered by the judge to pay up, he declared bankruptcy. It was only a short time before he started stealing that a large gambling center was opened not far from his office. My best guess is that he possibly started to gamble in a small way; began to lose money; then more money; then he stole from one client; lost more money; then stole from another client; and so on until he got caught. He has now spent some of his best retirement years in jail.

When will we ever learn that sin has its own destructive pathway and that whatever we sow we reap—if not now, it will be later in eternity—unless we repent of our sins and turn to the Savior? The best advice is that which is painted on a sign on a rocky Hawaiian beach, "When in doubt, don't!"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to always live in harmony with life's principles as found in Your Word, the Bible. And, grant that our nation will realize that these are eternal and universal truths that cannot be broken without dire consequences. Grant that we will confess our sins and waywardness and turn back to You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

 1. Song of Solomon 2:15 (NASB).

<:><

http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=187

Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

God's Good News

Thursday, December 10, 2015

God's Good News

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."1

The word "gospel" means good news—the Good News of God's salvation, without which mankind would be doomed for eternal damnation and separation from God, the author of all love and life.

But why is the gospel God's Good News?

First, the gospel is not a message about religion but a message about God's eternal love and purpose for all mankind. Religion wants to fix us from the outside in. God wants to fix us from the inside out. The first can become an impossible burden. The latter is what brings freedom.

Also, it's important to realize that no matter what we have ever done or have failed to do God loves us with an everlasting love and has a wonderful purpose for our lives—for this life and the next! As Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."2 And again, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."3

Second, the gospel is a message about sin, something we are all guilty of. As the Bible says, "We have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard."4 Sin, however, is not only doing harmful acts. It is anything that falls short of the standard of perfection that God envisioned for us. This includes unforgiveness, pride, jealousy, mixed motives, etc. Most of us, too, are guilty of sins of omission; that is, not doing what we know we should and could do.5

However, a common misconception about God is that he is out to punish us for our sins. The fact is we bring sin's punishment on ourselves because sin has its own natural consequences. If we try to break the universal law of gravity, for instance, we can't. It will break us. Neither can we break God's universal moral law. When we try to, it breaks us. And besides its painful effects in this life—suffering, sorrow, sadness, sickness and spiritual death—its ultimate and tragic consequence is eternal death and separation from God.6

Third, the gospel is a message about God's remedy. Because sin has separated or disconnected us from God, we have been left with a "God-shaped" vacuum or spiritual emptiness within. As St. Augustine put it, "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you." The world's many religions are all evidence of man's endless search to find God and fill this vacuum. However, because God loves us so much, he sent his own sinless son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our predicament.7 Christ did this by dying on the cross in our place to pay the consequence of and ransom price for our sins—death. Thus, Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. He is the only way back to God and the only door to eternal life.8

Finally, the gospel is a summons to faith and repentance. If you were found guilty of a serious crime and were condemned to death, would you accept a free unconditional pardon, if offered? Because Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place, God now offers you complete acquittal, forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life. All you need to do is confess and repent of your sinfulness, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for your sins, and invite him into your life as Savior and Lord.

The following prayer will help you do this. "Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner and am sorry for all the wrongs I have done. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me for all my sins and I invite You, Jesus, to come into my heart and life as Savior and Lord. I commit and trust my life to You. Please give me the desire to be what You want me to be and the desire to do what You want me to do. Thank You for dying for my sins, for Your forgiveness and free pardon, for Your gift of eternal life, and for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

 If you prayed this prayer and genuinely meant it, please let us know by clicking on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php and we will send you a free copy of the eBrochure, How to Grow.

NOTE: This article is condensed from, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian (without having to be religious)" on our ACTS web site at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Romans 1:16 (NIV).    2. John 3:16 (NIV).    3. John 10:10 (NIV).    4. Romans 3:23.    5. James 4:17.    6. Romans 6:23.    7. See Ephesians 2:8-9.    8. See John 14:6 and Romans 5:8.

<:><


Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

The "O" Factor

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The "O" Factor

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity [sin] of us all."1

In his book, The Renewal Factor, Robert Waterman writes: "During the investigation that followed the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, an engineer at Morton Thiokol testified that he advised his superiors that weather conditions at Cape Kennedy were too cold to guarantee the safety of the space craft's O-ring sealants. He urged them to delay the launch. Management pressed for more explanation: How cold was too cold—forty degrees? Thirty-seven degrees? Could they launch at forty-one degrees? The engineer resisted pinning down an exact temperature that was dangerous. He didn't have the facts to be that precise. All he could tell his superiors was that the weather predicted for launching time was 'away from goodness.'"2

Sad to say, his warning went unheeded.

In such a day as this, especially here in the United States, with the questionable practices of corporations such as Enron, WorldCom, Xerox, Tyco, Arthur Andersen, and some church leaders, we cannot help but state emphatically how we have strayed far away from goodness—and the whole nation is suffering the consequences. People have lost their life savings and retirement funds—confidence in the stock market has suffered greatly—and political parties are blaming the opposition party for the great debacle when the bottom line issue is a moral crisis of leadership. And that may apply as much to some politicians as it does to some greedy corporate leaders!

Indeed, we have strayed far from goodness and replaced it with greed and a moral crisis.

As Christians, let us heed the word of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, "I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these [principles] and so have shipwrecked their faith."3

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how true is Your word, 'All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.' But thank You that You gave Your Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and become our Savior. Grant that our nation, which has strayed far from goodness—and from You—will confess and repent of our sins and turn to You—the only hope of our salvation. And let Your work begin in me. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Isaiah 53:6 (KJV).
2. Robert H. Waterman, Jr., The Renewal Factor (New York: Bantam Books, 1987), p. 50.
3. 1 Timothy 1:19 (NIV).

<:><

 http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=185


Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet

My Gift to the Queen

Photo Credit: SLIDESHARE.

Friday, December 4, 2015

My Gift to the Queen

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.'"1

I have read that Queen Mary made a regular visit to Scotland every summer, and how, on "one occasion she was strolling with a group of school children. Suddenly the sky turned gray and thick, and dark clouds appeared. The queen stopped at a nearby house and asked if she might borrow an umbrella. She told the lady of the house, 'I'll send it back to you tomorrow.'

"The lady was reluctant about lending a good umbrella to a total stranger, but she remembered that she had an old one up in the attic. One rib was broken and there were several ragged holes in it, but she nevertheless turned it over to this lady at her front door with a weak apology.

"The next day there was another knock at the door. This time, when she opened it, a man in gold braid stood with a big envelope in hand. 'The queen sent me,' he said, 'and asked me to thank you for the umbrella.' For a moment the woman stood motionless—speechless, but then burst into tears. Finally she cried, 'Oh! What an opportunity I missed that I didn't give her my best!'"

How embarrassing! But how often, I wonder, do I give Jesus my second best—or even my leftovers?

In younger days—much less tactful ones—when I was the pastor of a small church, as we didn't have a janitor, I was cleaning the church. The vacuum cleaner we had was next to useless and I said to myself, "I'll bet one of the members gave this to the church because it wasn't any good to them."

I reported this thought to the church officers at our next meeting. Oops! Deathly silence followed!. I was right. It was a gift from one of the key families in the church! But we did get a new vacuum cleaner!

Let's not give Jesus the King of kings our broken umbrellas, nor our leftovers—whether it's time, talents, gifts, or money. Let's give him our first-fruits—not our last-fruits.

In the words of the old hymn: "Give of your best to the Master; Give him first place in your heart; give him first place in your service; Consecrate every part. Give him the best that you have."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in thanksgiving for Your great love-gift to me and Your so-great salvation, grant that I will always have the grace to give You the best that I have to give. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Matthew 25:40 (NIV).
2. Mrs. Charles Barnard.

<:><
http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=182

Follow Updates On Nigerians Report Online on
Amazon.





Tweet