Wait 24 Hours

Any financial advisor worth his/her weight in gold will tell you to wait at least 24 hours before making any significant purchase. I decided to apply this knowledge to a recent purchase and I'm so glad I did. It literally saved me over $400.

Kristin has been looking for a kitchen table that seats six because of all the hosting we do. Our current table only had 4 seats and it was never enough. Anyways, we went to the mall (just because) and while we were there found a good deal on a 6 seat kitchen table for about $550. We wanted to get it right then and there but decided it wouldn't be prudent to walk into the mall, not having even intended to look for tables, and then buy one for over $500. We decided to wait 24 hours and then come back and get it if we still wanted it.

Within about 12 hours I received a phone call from my mom (who is a hardcore tag saler) who had found a 6 seat kitchen table for $120 at a tag sale. We showed up, talked them down $5 and walked away with a beautiful used kitchen table with 6 chairs for $115!

We were so glad we decided to apply the good financial practice of waiting at least 24 hours before making a major purchase. I'm not promising that if you do you will save over $400, but YOU MIGHT!

Wait at least 24 hours before making a major purchase. You'll be glad you did!

Porn Sunday

Today was Porn Sunday at New Day Church! And what a day. If you are losing the battle with porn there is hope! I used to lose the battle too, but not anymore! I live in victory over pornograpy (and have for years) and you can too! I would really encourage you to check out the free video by Craig Gross from www.xxxchurch.com that we watched this morning at church. Here's the link to where you can download the free video http://xxxchurch.com/pornsunday/simulcast.php

I also wanted to pass along some great resources for those losing the battle against porn (or for those who want to make sure they don't start losing).

For guys I recommend Every Man's Battle, The Game Plan, and/or At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry. For the ladies I recommend Every Woman's Battle.

Hope this helps! And remember: With God all things are possible, Luke 1:37. You CAN live free from porn even though it may SEEM impossible right now.

Optimism in the Face of Difficulty

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. ~Winston Churchill

This is SO true! In church planting you are often faced with difficulties and challenges. But how you view them will make all the difference. Do you see the obstacle as a hurdle (that you can get over) or a wall (that will stop you)? In every situation there are difficulties AND opportunities. Which will you choose to focus on?

When one of our regular volunteers isn't available for a given Sunday we have two options. 1) We can say "Oh no! The world has come to an end!" or 2) We can say "This is a great opportunity to involve someone who is new, or someone who hasn't begun serving yet."

God help all of us to be positive, to see the light at the end of the tunnel, to have hope.

Temptation

Last Sunday we lost the audio of our podcast, so I'm going to summarize the message in this blog.

Where is God in our temptations? You'd be happy to know that God hasn't left us on our own when it comes to temptation. On the contrary, God helps us in at least four ways when we are tempted. Let's look at each one briefly.

First, God has set a limit on the intensity of every temptation. First Corinthians 10:13 says "He [God] will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand." As God limited Satan in what he could do to Job (see Job 1:9-11), so God limits what Satan can do to us. The good news is that God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle.

Second, alongside every temptation God has designed a way out. First Corinthians 10:13 says "When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Our temptations are not impossible to resist. There's always a way to avoid giving in to our temptations. Usually Satan tempts us to fulfill God-given desires in sinful ways. For example. We all have a God-given desire for sexual fulfillment. There's nothing with having that desire. But Satan tempts us to indulge the God-given desire in a sinful way (i.e. lust, adultery, fornication, etc.). Often times, the way of escape is to choose to fulfill the God-given desire in a righteous way (i.e. fulfill your sexual desires in the context of marriage). When you are tempted, you should pray "God, I know that with every temptation is a way out, an alternate action I can take. Please show me what that is in this situation. Amen."

Third, God provides us with the power to win against temptation. Ephesians 6:10-11 says "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." This verse shows us that there's a power available to us outside of ourselves. Our will power in NOT enough. We need God's power. With God's power working within us we can stand firm against any of the devil's schemes. When we're tempted the most important role God plays is that of empowerer. Ephesians 1:19 speaks of the imcomparably great power available to us who believe. Second Timothy 1:7 says "God didn't give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline." This power the Bible speaks of comes at salvation and enables us to say "yes" to God and "no" to temptation and sin.

Fourth, God changes our relationship to sin the moment we trust Jesus as Savior. Romans 6:10-14 says "Jesus died to break the power of sin...So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin...Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires...Sin is no longer your master..." This verse teaches us that before we accept Jesus as Savior we are dead IN OUR SINS, but once we accept Jesus we are DEAD TO SIN. Sin can no longer force us to think or do anything. It will still influence us, but we don't have to obey.

Where is God in our temptations? He is right there helping us! What a great God we serve! Why don't you thank him right now for his provision in the midst of your temptations?

Book recommendation: Temptation by Charles Stanley