Overcomer
Article: Active Engagement
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/dyet One of the reasons we're unsuccessful against temptation and sin is we don't take an active stance against it. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV) - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,...
Article: Be Not Afraid
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/asifthebes BE NOT AFRAID: to stand in adversity to do what God is calling you to to live with integrity to love your enemies to laugh to say I love you to say you are wrong to repent of sin to be an example to love without ceasing to let go of your past to begin again to have fun to reconcile a bad relationship to stop bad habits to see the good in others to speak about Jesus Christ to speak words of 'life'...
Article: Chains of Addiction (Poem)
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/cwsillero I feel desire in my bones that runs so deep Calling out for my flesh in days it is weak Like buddies hanging closer than the strongest glue Killing me softly with ideas that seem so true I must move past the desire and guard from the fire With addiction coming strong to build its empire I run faster than gingerbread with no sign of escape Addiction on the prowl it seems to my last day SAVE ME LORD, I tried and failed at all that I could My actions in the flesh have not been what they should I cannot live a...
Article: Coming out of the Closet
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/_lisandra What's in the closet of your life? Does stealing, lying, adultery, ungodly imaginations, and other types of sin that lurk within the darkness of your life? You may want to clean up your life, but the evil deeds you commit keep you in the shadows of darkness. You may not want to open the closet door because you feel ashamed that you could allow those things to stay within your life for so long. You may know that your deeds are evil and enjoy what you do in the dark (well, at least the flesh), but you must come to the realization that your deeds...
Article: Focus
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Brybs Hebrews 12:1-4 (KJV) - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,...
Article: Halfway There
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/mordoc Being in the middle of here and there can be tough. Regardless of the process, circumstance, or situation, being in the middle can be frustrating. You're happy that you've begun, but the end seems too far away. Your focus may not be as sharp, you feel tired, lazy, and angry that your goal, dream, or promise has not materialized. Sadly, this middle 'place' is filled with aborted dreams, goals, and promises. Many become agitated with waiting and want to see change NOW, RIGHT NOW!!! It's at this point that we make a decision (God hasn’t approved) just to 'move' in some...
Article: Hands Off (Poems)
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/hsin26 Keep your hands far away from the cookie jar Pass the plate and be healthy from sin-laced candy bars Get on the lookout for temptation strollin like a Sunday driver In the streets giving rides to any straying hitchhikers Hit the track, beat the record and break the tape Win the prize marked for you promised in the last day Stay steady on the road that leads you to freedom Pay no attention to temptation when he comes to see you But 'I know him,' maybe so a long time ago But would a friend lie to you to destroy your soul
Article: How Do I Live Out of Lust?
In 2004 we wrote Living Out of Lust, a beautiful book that engaged the very issue of sexual addictions, its devastating effects, and how we can live without the stains of sexual sins. Over the years, we’ve learned that there is a larger encompassing scope beyond the principles of Living Out of Lust. The key message for us that struggle with sexual sin (or any sin for that matter) is the closer we draw to the Lord, the further we draw from sin and the world.
Article: I Must Live For You (Poem)
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/mgruber The days are long and the worries pile on I Must Live For You When my job is full of stress and my life is a mess I Must Live For You Fleshly desires arouse and troubles abound I Must Live For You As the money dwindles and the struggle continues I Must Live For You Give me peace in the storm and the ability to go on I Must Live For You This is the day I can live Your way I Must Live For You When I don't know what to do show me the path to choose I...
Article: Overcoming and Enduring
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/mgruber Sexual immorality is destroying the church! It manifests through pornography, adultery, homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, etc. Many of our fellow brothers and sisters are turning to the darkness of sin to commit their evil deeds rather than living in the light of the Lord: John 3:19-21 (KJV) - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the...
Article: Peel it Back
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/mela Galatians 6:1-2 (KJV) - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Sadly, many people encounter difficult situations that disrupt their mental, physical, and emotional stability. They develop (consciously or not) many defense mechanisms or characteristics that become solidified into the fabric of their character. These defense mechanisms build...
Article: Refresh
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/lfpilz The F5 button on a computer keyboard gives a refresh to a webpage or screen. It resets things to its original purpose/design. If things were changed, the F5 button will reset them. In like fashion, there are times when our lives need a refresh. We may look over our lives and feel things are a hot mess. Nothing is right...everything is wrong and there seems to be no way out. We become so discouraged that we don't want to even try to get things right. We don't even know where to begin even if we want to get our lives in order. As our lives may be stained and filthy by sin, there's still hope....
Article: Rise Again
Photo courtesy of iStockPhoto/Travis Silva Failing is never easy. We want to live a righteous and holy life for God, then we do something that bring us into sin. We feel horrible, unworthy, and far from the love of our Father in Heaven. It seems that we'll never be able to make it back to where we need to be, let alone where we were before we fell. Proverbs 24:16 (KJV) - For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Solomon wrote to his son about the difference of a just man and the wicked. The difference is where they will end up. ...
Article: Temptation TKO
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/vierdrie For those fighting to stand righteously for the Lord, they will find that temptation (the flesh, Satan, lust) comes back. Like a boomerang returning to its owner, a tempting thought, gesture, or situation comes to face us again and again. Now, if we're not careful, we will fall for its subtle tricks to give in, but in Christ Jesus, there is victory because HE is the great overcomer - and we can be too...in Jesus' name! 1. Being tempted does not mean you sinned. Jesus was born and lived without sin and was tempted by Satan (see Matthew 4:1-11). He overcame without being...
Article: The Great Wall of Pride
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/eyestar Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. One of the definitions of pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.1 Pride causes someone to believe they have everything 'right,' while a situation (or things) around them are far from it. When pride stands in the way, dreams die, relationship crumble, desires remain wants, and...
Article: The Shadow of Sin
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/RasmusA In our lives exists a shadow. This shadow can be compared to our own shadow, but it has different intentions. The shadows from the sun reflect our image unto another object. However, the shadow of sin seeks to reflect its own image within our own lives. The intention of the shadow of sin is to control the object in which it follows. It wants nothing more than to control the life that it tracks. It wants to be in control and will wait for its moment. It often seems like at every moment, turn, and direction of our day,...
Article: Walk it O-F-F
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/mattgruber Psalm 37:8 (KJV) - Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. There comes a time when you're so mad that the the scripture above doesn't come to mind. In fact, the only thing that comes to mind when you're mad is revenge; giving into temptation/sin; and going O-F-F on someone! Peace, love, calmness are no where near your mind. Anger is a dangerous emotion. Anger desires a response. It does not consider the consequences. It only considers itself - at all costs. It is a highway to other emotions and...
Article: Walk it Out
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/vierdrie,/p> People want to see an example of righteousness. Throughout our history, there has been many men and women of great faith. Through their trials, they have faced their situations with the assured trust and confidence in the promises of God. They displayed a level of faith we aspire to achieve. We want to see someone taking a stand against the financial corruption in the church. We want to see someone that strives to teach people the full and correct Word of God. We want to see someone that will encourage us to...
Article: When Temptation Attacks
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Custom0305 Have you ever had a beautiful day where the sun is shining; the birds are chirping; the trees are swaying; when...BAM, temptation comes out of nowhere?! Here you are trying to mind your own business, not bothering anyone, when temptation wants to pay you a visit. A part of you is mad because once again, you have to deal with this again, but you know if you don't deal with it quickly and properly, you may give into its call to sin. 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV) - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow...
Article: You Got a Little More Fight in You!
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/courtneycroxdale Job issues. Money problems. Bad situations with family and friends. Kids. Car Problems. Home at risk. There's so many things going on in our lives each day that seem to pull us in several directions at once. At times we just want a little peace and quiet to get away from the day, but we're welcomed with another issue. Then, on top of all this, we have to live right before God...then temptation shows up. Many times temptation seems like the straw that breaks our back and we want to give up and give in. It may seem that giving into our...
