Don’t Try to Deal with Temptation Yourself

Matthew 26:41 says, “All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Sometimes we try to deal with everything ourselves, don’t we? We just try to resist in the flesh when we should be asking God to help us.

We can have the best of intentions and still cave in. So we need to get God involved as early and often as possible.

Think about it. What would happen if people would pray on a regular basis that they wouldn’t overeat at meals? What would happen if people who know they have a bad temper would pray on a regular basis, “God, give me grace to stay in peace today”?

I honestly believe that this is one of the most beneficial things we can do as believers: Pray ahead of time; pray often about your areas of weakness, and just accept that some things you will have to pray about for the rest of your life. – Joyce Meyer

Where Are Your Boundaries?

Know your limits.
Before becoming involved in a situation, know what’s acceptable to you, and what isn’t. It’s best to be as specific as possible, or you might be pulled into the trap of giving just a little bit more, over and over, until you’ve given far too much.

Know your values.
Every person’s limits are different, and they’re often determined by their personal values. For example, if you value family above all else, this might lead to stricter limits on how late you will stay at work, away from family. Know what’s most important to you, and protect it.

Listen to your emotions.
If you notice feelings of discomfort or resentment, don’t bury them. Try to understand what your feelings are telling you. Resentment, for example, can often be traced to feelings of being taken advantage of.

Have self-respect.
If you always give in to others, ask if you are showing as much respect to yourself as you show to others. Boundaries that are too open might be due to misguided attempts to be liked by elevating other people’s needs above one’s own.

Have respect for others.
Be sure that your actions are not self-serving, at the expense of others. Interactions should not be about winning, or taking as much as possible. Instead, consider what’s fair to everyone, given the setting and relationship. You might “win”, but at the cost of a relationship’s long-term health.

Be assertive.
When you know it’s time to set a boundary, don’t be shy. Say “no” respectfully, but without ambiguity. If you can make a compromise while respecting your own boundaries, try it. This is a good way to soften the “no”, while showing respect to everyone involved.

Consider the long view.
Some days you will give more than you take, and other days you will take more than you give. Be willing to take a longer view of relationships, when appropriate. But if you’re always the one who’s giving or taking, there might be a problem

Quote of the Week: “YOU ARE TOO CHOSEN TO BE FROZEN”

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” {John 15:16}

Trust God With How

When it comes to believing God for a spouse, or a promotion, or whatever it may be, some of us make the mistake of trying to dictate to God HOW we want it to happen, however in no case in the Bible does any one who wanted anything from God dictate to Him – they just simply received their blessing the way that He said.
For example, Naaman wanted his leprosy removed and was told to dip himself in the Jordan River 7 times. Though he initially got offended, he eventually did it and received his healing as a result.
(2 Kings 5:10-14)
Blind Bartimaeus wanted his sight so he chased after Jesus, told Jesus what He wanted and Jesus responded with “Go thy way; thy faith hath made the whole” and Bartimaeus received his sight and went away rejoicing, whereas in another case of a blind man Jesus smeared spit laden mud on his eyes and told him to go dip in the pool of Siloam to receive his sight – he did so and got his vision back. (Mark 10:46-52; John 9:6-7)
There also was a man at the pool of Bethesda who had an infirmity for 38 years and sat by the pool every day to see if maybe one day he could make it to the water right after the angel troubled the waters before any one else so that he could receive his healing. Well, one day Jesus addressed him and when he explained how discouraged he was Jesus simply said “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” and he walked away healed without having to get any of his clothes wet at all. (John 5:2-9)
In his case, like many of us do ourselves, he thought his blessing would come one way, but Jesus had a whole different and much easier way in mind.
So when it comes to believing God for anything, as long as it’s according to His will, believe and receive that He will do it for you, and leave the HOW up to Him.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:   And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.   If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 1 John 5:14-16
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4
*Originally published on KimontheWeb.com

How To Gain Godly Friends

It is very important that, as believers we not only strive for holiness and righteous living, but that we, on purpose, surround ourselves with and engage our lives with other Christians who believe like we believe.
It’s enough to talk the talk, but are you walking the walk? And if you’re successfully walking the walk and I’m over here struggling, can you show me what it is that you’re doing so I can live victoriously as well, or as in this case, so iron can sharpen iron?
The journey seems much harder when you’re walking a path with folks who are not in agreement with your ultimate goal.
Amos 3:3 asks us,” can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Who you choose to walk with should believe as you believe, so you, two, can successfully, ‘walk this thing out’ together.
If you don’t have godly friends right now, pray and ask God to order your steps and to lead you to godly people, and befriend them.
Proverbs 18:24 says …A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…  So don’t wait for somebody to speak to you at church or wherever you may be, you introduce and befriend them in a friendly manner, and let God take it from there.

*Originally published on KimontheWeb.com

Open The Door!

Saying “Thank You” more makes room for more!
Just like a parent with child, the more that child says, “Thank you,” after receiving something with a grateful heart, the more the parent would like to do for them.
How much more our Heavenly Father wants to do for us as we thank Him for everything!

You may not have the latest Prada bag, but you’re still rich in so many ways with food on the table, clothes on your back, and more than that you’re clothed with God’s grace, God’s love, and God’s power, and you can’t even put a price tag on that!
You may not have the finest man on your arm, but you have the Best Man on your side praying on your behalf and pulling for you and who will never leave you nor forsake you!
Focus on the inner man – be grateful from the inside out, and God will make the outside beautiful.
Give thanks for what you already have which opens the door for more.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. {1 Thessalonians 5:18}
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? {Psalm 118:6}
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. {Hebrews 13:5}
*Originally posted on KimontheWeb.com

Quote of the Week: “YOU WERE BORN TO ANSWER A PROBLEM.”

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.“ {Jeremiah 29:11-13}