S: 1 Thessalonians 2:4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the good mews. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
O: Before Paul got to church at Thessalonica he was treated harshly at Phillipi. Then he goes on to say that he had been approved by God to preach the gospel. Paul said that his goal was to make God happy and God is the only one who can evaluate why we do what we do.
A: I need to make it my goal to please God not man. How do I respond to people? Is that pleasing to God? When anxious do I go to God? When tired do I go to God?
P: Jesus help me to live to please you in what I do. May I not look to man for my approval. I please you by depending on you. I please you by sitting at your feet. I please you by seeking first your kingdom and righteousness. Help to please you today.
Scripture: Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number." (1 Chronicles 21:1-2)
Observation: As King David is entering his glory years, amassing wealth and victory, the devil sideswipes him with a temptation that proves too great for David to handle. The temptation is called "self-glorification."
David wanted to see how great he had become, and despite the counsel of his closest advisors, he chose to number the people. A great plague was sent as punishment, and King David was forced to repent, and learn a very painful lesson. God deserves ALL the Glory.
The Bible instructs us to be alert when it comes to the schemes of the devil. His tactics are not always found on the battlefield against God's kingdom, but we see the devil amongst the victorious tempting them to steal what rightfully belongs to God, forcing their hearts to be filled with pride and self-glorification, and ultimately forfeiting the battle.
Victory is one of our greatest temptations. Tempting man to look to himself when his eyes should look up, and his knees should be bent in gratitude.
Application: There will be times of success in my life (although sometimes they appear to be few and far between). In these moments, I need to resist any temptation to steal what rightfully belongs to God. Messages that could only come from His leading, financial choices that point to Someone greater, leadership that is only a gift from God, anything that is praise worthy belongs to God!
I need to avoid temptation by guarding my heart from self-glorification. I am here on earth to glorify God, that is my purpose, and I cannot let Satan forfeit a victory because I cannot steward successful moments.
I choose attribute all that is victorious to the hand of God, because He deserves the Glory.
Prayer: Father, Help me to understand the ways of the enemy that I may be alert and guard my heart against temptation. Correct me when I am wrong, and help me to have a heavenly perspective on all that takes place here on Earth. I love you Lord, In Jesus Name, AMEN
S: 1 Thessalonians 2:4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the good mews. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
ReplyDeleteO: Before Paul got to church at Thessalonica he was treated harshly at Phillipi. Then he goes on to say that he had been approved by God to preach the gospel. Paul said that his goal was to make God happy and God is the only one who can evaluate why we do what we do.
A: I need to make it my goal to please God not man. How do I respond to people? Is that pleasing to God? When anxious do I go to God? When tired do I go to God?
P: Jesus help me to live to please you in what I do. May I not look to man for my approval. I please you by depending on you. I please you by sitting at your feet. I please you by seeking first your kingdom and righteousness. Help to please you today.
Mentor: David
ReplyDeleteTitle: Satan's Strategy
Scripture: Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number." (1 Chronicles 21:1-2)
Observation: As King David is entering his glory years, amassing wealth and victory, the devil sideswipes him with a temptation that proves too great for David to handle. The temptation is called "self-glorification."
David wanted to see how great he had become, and despite the counsel of his closest advisors, he chose to number the people. A great plague was sent as punishment, and King David was forced to repent, and learn a very painful lesson. God deserves ALL the Glory.
The Bible instructs us to be alert when it comes to the schemes of the devil. His tactics are not always found on the battlefield against God's kingdom, but we see the devil amongst the victorious tempting them to steal what rightfully belongs to God, forcing their hearts to be filled with pride and self-glorification, and ultimately forfeiting the battle.
Victory is one of our greatest temptations. Tempting man to look to himself when his eyes should look up, and his knees should be bent in gratitude.
Application: There will be times of success in my life (although sometimes they appear to be few and far between). In these moments, I need to resist any temptation to steal what rightfully belongs to God. Messages that could only come from His leading, financial choices that point to Someone greater, leadership that is only a gift from God, anything that is praise worthy belongs to God!
I need to avoid temptation by guarding my heart from self-glorification. I am here on earth to glorify God, that is my purpose, and I cannot let Satan forfeit a victory because I cannot steward successful moments.
I choose attribute all that is victorious to the hand of God, because He deserves the Glory.
Prayer: Father, Help me to understand the ways of the enemy that I may be alert and guard my heart against temptation. Correct me when I am wrong, and help me to have a heavenly perspective on all that takes place here on Earth. I love you Lord, In Jesus Name, AMEN