Ministry to Women When There

Ministry to Women When There

David Platt - What Happens to Those Who Never Hear the Gospel

There is "A WAY OF ESCAPE" (Fighting Temptations)

Temptations never leave us nor forsake us, nor does the power and grace of God because "He is faithful." However we are the total opposite "disobedient, unfaithful, weak, and doubtful." When do we find ourselves under these conditions? 

During casual occasions when we are not guarded, watchful, and prepared with a plan to fight, resist, and run from temptations leading to sin. The key statement we find in 1 Cor 10:13 is " the way of escape." This means there is hope and a solution to your fight and struggle with SIN; no longer do we have to continue in SIN. The question Do you know your way of escape when temptation comes?  I hope these sermon notes will help you find your way of fleeing from SIN you continue to fall and succumb to.  

DO YOU HAVE A PLAN???

I have been studying and devoting toward dealing with the flesh and temptation and i want to share a help concerning how we must deal with temptation and test ----- after listening to John MacArthur sermon on 1 Cor 10:13. 

 The Lord never allows us at the point of our spiritual development to go through any temptation that is beyond our ability to deal with. So if temptation seems stronger for the one who is in the position of spiritual leadership, it still is in measure to his spiritual capability. We need to understand that. He puts limits on the extent of temptation. There's a ceiling, there's a cap, there's a lid on what He will allow in the life of one of His own. God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.

There's a next point, a fourth one. You must understand the way out...you must understand the way out of temptation. He says with the temptation God will always provide the way of escape. He will always provide the way of escape. There's always a path to victory. There's always aekbasisis the Greek word, literally an exit. There's always an escape hatch. There's always a parachute. There's always a way out.

What is it? Well He tell us. He says, "God will with the temptation provide the way of escape also that you may be able to endure it." Now listen to this one. The way out is through...the way out is through. Listen carefully. The way out of the temptation is to endure it as a trial and never let it become a solicitation to sin...which effects a sinful response. The way out is to take it as a test and a trial and not internalize it so that it begins to solicit sin. So you've been wronged, so you've been falsely accused, so you've been maligned and treated unkindly and unjustly, accept it, accept it with joy and you will endure it and that is the way of escape. So someone had promised you something and they didn't fulfill it and you had tied some of your greatest expectations to that promise, accept it, understand it, acknowledge it as a trial that is intended to strengthen your faith and the way out is through it, sustaining it as a test, never letting it be turned into a temptation, that you may be able to bear it, or endure it is hupophero, it literally means to get under it and carry it. Usually we're looking for a quick and easy route. The only way out is through it. You remain under it but you endure it as a test with the view that God is using this to bring about my maturity.

You say, "But how do you do that?" Well you know what the keys are, and I only mention them...meditating on the Word, Psalm 119...what does it say in verse 11? "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin." When the test comes, you turn to the Word of God. You don't listen to your own lusts, you don't listen to the solicitations that your own heart will conjure up. When the test comes you turn to the Word of God, you listen to that. 

Secondly, you pray. You pray I think what Jesus taught us to pray in the prayer we call that we call the Lord's Prayer, better called the Disciples Prayer, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us..." You turn to God and you cry out to Him to keep this test from becoming a temptation. 

A third thing that you would do would be to take the shield of faith...that means to trust God no matter how the fiery darts may be coming at you, understand that God has a purpose and trust God for that purpose. Another important element, maybe 

a fourth one, is to focus on Christ. He endured every temptation to the maximum and so you can turn to Him andyou can say to Him, "My faithful high priest, You know what I'm going through, strengthen me for this."

Simple really, we know these things. When the test comes turn to the Word. When the test comes turn to the Lord in prayer. When the test comes retain your faith in God's purposes through the test. When the test comes look to Christ the faithful high priest who will nurture you through this test.

No, there is no test that is more than we can bear. When we fall and the test becomes a temptation and the temptation becomes a sin, it is not that we are victims, it is that we made bad choices. We chose not to turn to the Word of God but rather to listen to our own hearts and our own lust enticed us. We chose not to cry out to God and ask Him to lead us away from this and deliver us from evil, but rather we pursued the evil because we wanted the hankerings of our flesh to be fulfilled. We failed to trust that God had a divine purpose in the test and that we could enjoy the test not for its own sake but for what it yields and we wanted it immediately removed. We turned away from God perhaps even angry at Him. And if we failed it's because we took our attention away from Christ, the faithful high priest who can nurture us through it and we focused on something else.

It should be true of us that the next time we come back to the Lord's table the list should be shorter. Know this, nothing is going to happen to you between now and the next time that is so powerful you can't possibly deal with it. You can. One thing that happened at your salvation sums it up, it is this...sin no longer has dominion over you.

CLICK on Link!!!---> 

https://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-108/triumphing-over-temptation

A Beautiful Simplicity -- Accept the limitations of living one day at a time.

A Dear Friend was kind to send this encouragement "I loved this; It brought conviction in the reminder that peace is always available when we rest in God." Have a good day!"on Sunday after their devotion from reading the daily series called--Jesus Calling Devotionals. The Devotion for Sunday March 29th. (Shared below)

When you read below,  this devotional is presented as if Jesus is speaking to you directly;  As you take your time i hope it will be in its proper perspective for you today!  

"Stop trying to work things out before their times have come.  Accept the limitations of living one day at a time.  When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today’s agenda.  If it isnt, release it into My care and go on about today’s duties.  When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life:  a time for everything, and everything in its time. "

"A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered.  When your focus is on My Presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you.  Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world.  I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have Peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1; John 16:33

The Glory of a NEW THING!!

Greetings saints blessed it be The Lord who is seated above all things in, under, and above the earth and heavens. I give glory to God for His mercies that are new every morning.

I'll be very brief with this word The Lord through His infinite wisdom, knowledge, and grace has allowed me to write to you and Lords will be inscribed on your heart. Looking at 2 Corinthians chapter 3 we see something passing and the arrival of a new thing!

Breaking news: the glory of the new covenant makes way for the gospel of Christ and grace giving eternal life by way of faith and not works, in addition to the passing away of the old economy; that being the old covenant. The doing away with not the moral goodness of the mosaic law, but doing away with the: traditions, customs, ceremonial practices, and rituals of heresies. Such as Roman Catholicism, Greek orthodoxy, and Judaism which exhorts strongly that grace is through baptisms, masses, and old covenant practices. These in an easier term is attempting to embrace grace through works; and this type of doctrine is in error and a devastating stroke against the church (true body of Christ) and sincere evangelism.  

The glory of the new covenant lifts the veil off what was passing away which was being seen in the glory of Moses face that even he hid from the children of Israel because they were blind and under the sway of the wicked one through disobedience and unbelief! The gospel of Christ and His righteous blood is the new covenant that takes away not just the veil and letter of the law that produces death, but also is the new covenant of His body (perfect sacrifice) that removes the remissions, penalty, and results of sin.

Grace and Peace,

Phillytf

Seeing what I don't SEE!!

Praise God and greetings to the body of Christ. Blessed be The Father of creation and giver of life; and to the eternal Son Christ Jesus who is our living hope.

I pray this devotion will shed light and really be more of an encouragement to the body of Christ.

Our biblical foundation comes from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

                              Seeing the Invisible

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I believe our dear brother and apostle Paul was desiring to convey a message of inner peace to be expressed in outward joy even through trauma. We know that the natural portion of this body is dying each day we wake. We should also know that once we put on the new nature of Christ by believing and giving our life's to Him this body of flesh and all its lust and corruption died when He died, but also rose with Him and is now seated in Him in the Heavens. This inward man (Christ likeness) is daily being restored and regenerated day by day therefore giving us Christian energy to ensure and overcome the struggles and temptations of this world!

Ok so some may be saying that's all fine and dandy, but I'm spiritually and at times physically taking a beating from these afflictions, so how does this help me? Rest assured your not alone and best believe it's not in vain so long as you overcome by being faithful and enduring to the end. Understand Paul was speaking to us as well in latter times that in these light moments of distress, anguish, turmoil, dejection, and suffering there is something working and building far more greater and rewarding then the present affliction.

Let's briefly examine Christ who being God humbled Himself to that of a servant leaving His glorious state  to walk and live as a man. Now Christ who suffered way before bearing the wrath of God and the sins of the world by way of the cross knew that in His earthly suffering it was working something far more exceeding that couldn't be seen. We see that His suffering and obedience gained Him a seat right next to the Father and the pre-eminence over all creation.

To my brothers and sisters in the faith you must be confident that your enduring is not in vain as these things that afflict you are seen and temporal, but what God has planned and prepared is invisible, intangible, and eternal. Our Christian affliction puts on full display Gods righteous judgement just like that of Christ. Look at it like this, what you suffer now in strong faith multiplies your inheritance after this body dies. God has already through Christ called you out of darkness into the Kingdom of His Son, removed the penalty of sin from your soul, and has rescued you from Gods wrath that you may walk the earth freely as a living being. Paul said to rejoice always and again I say REJOICE!! 

Grace and Peace,

Phillytf

What does it mean "Her worth is FAR ABOVE RUBIES"

What does it mean "Her worth is FAR ABOVE RUBIES" ( Proverbs 31:10) 

There has been many questions or concerns as to how do Christian men view Christian women. In many cases Brothers have not been as successful in properly communicating or engaging their interest to who they may think or believe to be "virtuous"; I would call her a woman whose heart is after pleasing the Heavenly Father and is content in her intimate relationship with Christ. We are able to discover this throughout the book of Proverbs more specifically in Proverbs 31. Also 1 Peter 3:3-4 mentions "Her adornment is not merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;  but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. Now this does not mean that she has it all figured out or she will be completely sure about herself in areas; the basis of her decisions and world view is biblically driven and whatever areas that is lacking; she is willing to learn to mature in such areas.  

However does this reign true in the hearts of Christian men. What does a man identify when he is driven to pursue a virtuous woman? Is it her beauty? Is it her accolades or abilities to communicate and understand him in ways that others have yet to do? And What compels a woman to be virtuous aside from the world's standard of beauty? 

I share this poem to both groups to share a perspective of ( How men can share or express their appreciation and improve their approach and attitude toward women ) & (How women can reflect on how they view themselves in contrast to the world's standard) ---->

Far Above Rubies 

Distinct from the eye gaze 

Her presence cools the sun blaze
No tag lines, luxury gifts, nor special name

Inclines her interest
Only the radiance of His glory demands her attention

His salvific LOVE has lavished her

Far above rubies

Trials and tribulations has purified this woman of faith

Thoughts or considerations of pursuit

is appreciated
BUT if--- trying to be friends 
she's not the one to mesmerize,  romanticize 
Heavens treasure will not be vandalize 
from those potential promises and fairytale fantasies

BECAUSE

She's far above rubies

10,000 I Love you's and countless rose pedals

Cannot woo this woman
Christ has made the highest expense
With His bloodshed and scars
dying for her
Open holes in hands and outstretched arms. 
NOW---- that's price less
Why?---- because

She's far above rubies

There's no gift exchange, trading, or barging 

for respected LOVE
take her as His
imperfections,  emotions, insecurities and flaws
every good thing 
comes from above
So regardless how crazy she may be
remember
pride comes before the fall
She is craved with caution

fragilely fashioned and delicately designed—

For those who are searching be careful who you say the one is for you

Because that virtuous  woman
May not be the one you may see
showcased, advertised, glamorized 
shipped, properly packaged and delivered

She will have wounds and notorious secrets
However if you break her

or even tear a piece of her
she will have something no man can buy
she  has an eternal satisfaction, everlasting truth,  infinite access,

Unwavering Faith, shielded protection

and will never be left nor neglected

So blessed assurance from whatever damage is done 

Why ---Because

She is far above Rubies

Mankind has yet to fully understand this woman ----

who is wise? That builds her house upon a cornerstone

Adorning and dressing her heart with unfathomable truths

May she live an exemplified life

to who fearfully and marvelously created

Mothers, little girls, aunties, sisters, and cousins ----
Such beauty is immeasurable

May her footsteps of peace lead her into Heavens gates

and

May she walk the city streets of transparent gold

As Apostle John describes the glorious and brilliance of New Jerusalem
Nor jasper, emerald, topaz, or pearls is like unto her

As a Daughter

of the King of kings & Lord of Lord's-----
Jesus Christ, the Son
Reflects this precious chosen stone. 
She is. . .  

Far Above Rubies

CHECK OUT BELOW-- Click on Video 

- A beautiful song of worship "For Your Glory" by Tasha Cobbs. May your hearts and minds be clothed with JOY in the presence of the Lord. Dont forget your "FIRST LOVE"