Climbing without Compromise

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston continued the series entitled, "The Power of Love" with the subtitle, "Climbing without Compromise".

Matthew 22:34-35 says, "But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying," (KJV)  The enemies of Jesus tried to tempt him.  In the same way, our enemy presents brilliantly crafted temptations to us. If you don't like chocolate, he will not tempt you with chocolate.  He can and only will tempt us with things we think about, and or desire.  James 1:14-15 describes it like this, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(KJV)  John 14:21 tells us what we must do in order to resist temptation, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (KJV)  Did you get that?  When we keep(obey, follow, do) what the Word commands he promises to love us and to manifest(reveal) himself to us.  God wants us fully blessed, and fully protected!

How can we climb without compromise?  Good question! We must know the Word!  John 8:32 says, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  When we know the truth, the truth that we know will make us free.  Jesus prayed that God would, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 (KJV)  Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

When we cherish the Word, and value the Word that same Word will empower us to stand.  Dr. Winston said, "Either you believe the Word or your don't!"  As the old folks used to say, "The proof is in the pudding."  That means don't tell me you believe the Word and don't live by it.  The world is supposed to be able to pick us out from the crowd. We should be living the abundant life in every area of our lives.  When we do, the Word promises...people will ask, "what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30 (KJV)  Jesus said it this way, in Matthew 5:16, "You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it." (Voice)

Getting to know the Word better...love and prayers, Cynthia