January 3, 2012

Hello everyone - just an update: Mr Innis is having a lot of tests run today to check his heart valves and Jeni's grandfather's funeral is also today. Please pray for them. And, Jennie Vaughn leaves for Texas in 2 days. Let's pray for she and Cheryl. And we better keep seeing those YUM recipes coming our way, Jennie. All working and no cooking means we ALL suffer. wink.

My devotional this morning IS TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE. Overeating and wrong food choices are all about temptation. Joyce Myers nails the truth about this. (sounds like much of what we discussed throughout 2011 - but who can say it better that Joyce Meyers????) Hope this blesses you! Choose life - PK

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

Day 3 of 365
Oh Yes You Can!

We all face temptation, it's an unavoidable part of life. The question is not, "Will you be tempted?" The question is, "When you're tempted, will you be ready?"

I really want you to get this: You can beat temptation. Stop saying, 'Joyce, I just don't think I can.' Take 'I can't!' out of your vocabulary.

In your own strength and by your own ability, you're right. You can't. But when you put God's Word in your heart, when you lean on His strength and trust in His promises, there's no temptation you can't overcome.

Over the years, I've noticed five things that make all the difference in overcoming temptation. First, you've got to be wise. Think about the choices you're making and the consequences before you make them. Wisdom looks ahead.

Next, you have to believe that you can resist temptation. Condemnation, guilt and shame work off of momentum, if you stop them early, they lose their power, but once they get rolling, they're hard to stop. Third, think of facing temptation as normal life. If you're expecting a fight, you'll always be ready.

Fourth, avoid areas of weakness. Don't put yourself in situations where you can easily fall. If you struggle with managing your money, don't go to the mall when you can't afford to buy anything!

And finally, don't give yourself too much credit. We don't graduate from being tempted. It's so easy to think you've matured beyond stumbling, and once that happens, you make yourself an easy target.

God wants you to trust Him to bring victory in every area of your life. By His grace, you can!

Prayer Starter: God I realize temptation is a part of life. Help me not to be caught off guard or surprised when it comes. Thank You for the wisdom and grace to overcome any and all temptations and to live in Your victory.