Hey have you had a chance to consider if temptation is getting in the way of your Bible reading yet (my blog question from Monday)? We've gotten some awesome responses so far (make sure and check those out) but I'd still like to hear from you. Speaking of temptation, don't miss today's reading in Exodus 20. It's the Ten Commandments. A perfect tie in with temptation don't you think? And a great reminder to help us deal with some of the things that tempt us most. I actually have a little bookmark that lists the Ten Commandments stuck up on my refrigerator. I don't read it every day, but more often than not, I find myself reading it over as I close the fridge door.
Alright, I'll be reading with you over the weekend so hang in there. In the meantime, I still want your responses to my Monday blog question--"do you think temptation might be getting you off course in your Bible reading, and how?" Tami W.
I know this will be my 3rd post this week, but wow really since I have especially this week been trying to "Manage" my temptations boy has Satan really put on the gas to hammer me. Yesterday I lost the battle. I was so disappointed when I got home from work. But today I remembered that temptation is a daily thing. So, as I have done my work, I had my ipod on with the Back to the Bible series playing and taking notes, and listening to God's word. I have accomplished so much today. I have been able to win today from temptation. So for those of you struggling. Don't give up. God encourages us to pick ourselves up and keep going. Get into his word. My prayer is that over the weekend my temptations that keep me from his word I will defeat.
Tami,
I don't get the "laws" and why WE need to know them. I understand the 10 commandments, but why do we need to know (Exodus 21, v.5)"if the slave says, 'I love my master, myh wife and my children, and I don't want to go free,' then the slave's master must take him to God. The master is to take him to a door or doorframe and PUNCH A HOLE THROUGH THE SLAVE'S EAR USING A SHARP TOOL."?? Many of these laws are not applicable to today's laws. The "eye for an eye" thing definetly would not float. This is where I get lost in the old testament. That and the following of the family "trees." I'll keep reading. Hopefully you can help me understand it all.
The highlight of my week was meeting Leisa from BTTB at MOPS yesterday! I shared with her how much I have enjoyed the readings from Exodus. I can relate to the Israelites and their struggles staying close to God. Powered by 4 has been my morning call to God's Word. Satan has been tempting me into believing the negative "tapes" inside my head all week. I continue to derail him and grow stronger by reading God's Word and remembering the negative does NOT come from God.
This morning when I had my prayer time, I notice in a different room, there was going an alarm clock off, maybe forgot to turn it off, but anyway, the Satan try'd to tell me, go now and turn it of. Guess what. Instead of listening to what the Satan try'd to tell me, I right away knew what was going on, so, I started to pray overloud, and I couldn't hear it anymore at all. But then when I was finish, yes then I went there and turned it of. Praise the Lord. I always see that throughout the day, that I have to be ALERT, if NOT, I could easy fall in to temptation, without even realizing it. Be alert People, Satan is real. But Praise to God that He send His only Son Jesus, Jesus is real too.
GOD IS LOVE
Temptation......I believe it does keep me from getting into God's word because I can be justified in my own mind in my wrong doing. It is Gods word that say no don't go there or you know this is not where I would want you to be to represent me. In his goodness and concern for ME he gives strength, power, and encouragement in his word. It's just that battle within that says go ahead it feels good and you know you enjoy it. But that is just for the moment and you, I, feel bad and guilty and have to suffer the consequences for my actions. When I am in his word I have strength, peace and the ability to over rule the inner voice that says take that step on the wild side.
Temptations come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes...but, praise be to God in His infinant (sp) wisdom, He gave us a way out. It is a simple choice, God or something else. In saying that, I must also say to it is not always simple, do to our human emotion and fallen state, but, again praise be to God who has given us a way out through His son Jesus and His Holy Spirit whom dwells in His children.
I am also learning along with my challenge to read daily is if I do not fully understand what I am reading, it is important to read on and to ask for His wisdom and guidance. I believe every part of His Word is for our learning and what I don't understand today, I will someday, through a Pastor, friend, or His glorious Spirit, He will bring to light what He wants me (us) to learn.
Together as His sons and daughters may we read on, carry on, and win the battle over temptation...it is a daily walk, sometimes a minute by minute walk or second by second...trust and obey.
Blessings and Love In Christ
Im practicing giving Jesus 1st place in everything; my thoughts, my free time, my income. I am an early riser and my 1st temptation is to wake up and start worrying about something or thinking negative right away so I practice thanking Jesus before my feet touch the floor. Then, I am getting into the habit of having my coffee and devotions before letting the world in thru the news or newspaper, telephone and door. If I turn on the tv, even while the coffee is brewing, I can get caught up in something and lose the desire to quiet back down and get into the Word. Once I am in the Word, I lose the desire to turn on the tv! The Word is more relevant than any newspaper too! Another challenge is meditating on what He has said. Sometimes I forget what I read and have to go back and read it again so I can take it with me.
Mike,
Thanks so much for your questions about the Old Testament laws, family trees, etc. I have to tell you that I smiled just a little as I read your blog because I used to be right where you're at now concerning the Old Testament. When my pastor would go to the Old Testament to teach, I'd secretly groan. Or when a reading would take me there, I'd quickly scan over it because I just struggled seeing how it applied…You get the picture. BUT, that's in my past. :) I now realize that all this Old Testament stuff is important for me if I want to understand God and live for Him today. Read on.
You commented about "laws" (slaves, masters, punishments) and why we need to know them. You’re right on that we aren't subject to these laws today. But knowing of them is still important. Why? Well it shows us what it was like way back then and helps us understand how different that culture is from ours today. The laws you refer to, were civil laws of that society and time (much different than the Ten Commandments which are moral laws). So knowing these laws will help give us context for our readings and what's happening in the OT. (For me, it also highlights how fortunate I am today.)
As for the family trees, I know they are brutal to read through, but they are important too because they documented for the Jewish people, and for us today, the lineage of Jesus. The Jewish people knew that a savior was coming. Blood lines were everything. So having generation after generation meticulously documented shows, without a doubt, the validity of Christ.
Family trees also help us put the Bible together, if you will. What I mean by that is that sometimes when I'm reading a family lineage, it'll hit me how something I read a few days back or even a few weeks back fits together with another scripture. Since the Bible is not laid out chronologically, we don't always see how people and stories are connected. So as hard as they are to read, I've found them helpful on more than one occasion.
Whew. I could say more but hopefully this will encourage you to stay reading in the OT. One more thing, at some point you may want to try reading the OT chronologically. That was so helpful to me. Now when our church does an OT series, I look forward to it. In fact, I've spent the last 3 months in the OT and I'm amazed at how much stuff is in there for me today. So hang in there and thanks again for the blog! Tami W.
Reading my Bible is so vital to me that I can't live without it. Temptations still show up even after many, many years of reading and "eating" His Word. Yes, Satan knows where my weaknesses are, and he never gives up. Especially seasoned Christians, who the devil enjoys getting side-tracked. We are a prime target because we have less time to serve our Living, Loving God here in enemy territory and the enemy knows that ours and his time is short. I encourage Brothers and Sisters not to neglect the Food for their souls, their scriptures. You can't live spiritually without them. And there are so many exciting things about God to learn and greatly enjoy as you sit with Him daily and feast with Him.
Eat the Word and get obese! The only healthy way to knowing God and His Son, Jesus Christ. "I am the way, the truth and the LIFE"
P.S. It might not be a bad idea to fast from T.V. and computer (the entertainment times) for a week. It will astonish you how you will start to feel The Lord's presence much stronger and your appetite for His Word. His peace will be more easily recognized also, something you don't want to miss.
Bye for now and chow-down, don't dumb-down!