the power to say, no...

i can count on GOD’s power when i’m tempted.

one of the reasons that some of the pain is in our life is because we haven’t had the power to say no to temptation and paul understood this. romans 7.18 (ph), i often find that i have the will to do good, but not the power.

can you relate to that one? “i want to do it but i don’t have the power!” temptation is out there!

bumper sticker: “lead us not into temptation; i’m perfectly capable of finding it on my own.” and i can relate to that.

if you’re setting there saying, “i’m not tempted,” you’re what’s called… dead! liar.

temptation is inevitable but the good news is GOD won’t let us be tempted beyond our own capacity to handle that. GOD is faithful and gives you the power to say no when you’re tempted. you name the temptation – internet pornography, gossip, lying for a job interview, cheating on your taxes – when you’re tempted, GOD gives you the power to say no.

it says in the bible, in 1 corinthians 10.13 (nlt), the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. and GOD is faithful. HE will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. when you're tempted, HE will show you a way out.

the promise is this: there’s always a way out. here’s the question: do you take it?

GOD says, I want to give you the power for the way out. do you need to access that type of power? it’s available.

now the bottom line to these four promises we have looked at these last 4 posts is, i feel like GOD’s saying, “when you are burned out and tired i want to give you my power. in the midst of your feeling inadequate with your life, i want to give to you my power so you can handle the devastating hurt that you’re going through right now … when you feel like you’re tempted beyond your control, i want to give you my power …” that’s the good news of today. it is good news. we don’t have to live powerless, weak lives.

just a thought from the front porch…