April 5, 2013 - A More Opportune Time

Good morning to all, I have "heard" that we may see peeks of sunshine later today and I may do the victory dance at just the thought of it. I love the rain, but I am ready to get in the sun also. I am hoping today smiles on us. Let's talk today about temptation. I am convinced that our eyesight plays a part in struggles we face with our health. What? We don't eat with our eyes. That's true, but our eyes are often stimulated and communicate to our stomachs that we are starving even if we have eaten regularly. Anyone know this to be true? I am convinced that part of the temptation lies in the fact that our eyes lust for things we don't really need SOMETIMES. Do we need another biscuit? No, but we see it laying on the platter and don't want to waste it. Do we need another pair of sandals? No, but our new dress would look better with a coordinating pair of shoes. Can you see where I am going with this? Also, commercials are notorious for displaying food items so we will rush to kitchen and grab a bag of Dorritos whether we are hungry or not. (that's why the commercials are so loud; you can run to the kitchen for some food and still hear the car advertisements) I wonder if we couldn't see the biscuit or the sandals or the commercial if we would still be so tempted. I wonder? Luke 4:13 reminds us that when Jesus was tempted immediately following His baptism, His encounter with Satan didn't go the way the evil one intended. However, the verse does include the "rest of the story." It provides us with the intent of Satan which is to provide additional temptation at a more opportune time. It's not bad enough that Jesus had been 40 days with no food. Satan then proceeds to SHOW him 3 scenarios as means of temptation. When success is not accomplished, Satan simply removes his plan of temptation until another time - a more opportune time. What time is this? It was the Garden of Gethsemane. Isn't that cruel? But how many of you know that our weaknesses can be hammered by what our eyes "determine" we need. Then, perhaps we rationalize that this one time it will be okay. Submission to temptation often perpetuates the cycle of failure. Jesus KNEW this. There was no room for failure in the wilderness or the garden. Jesus never allowed what he saw to gain victory over the truth. Let's chew on that over the weekend. Let's not allow the yeast rolls with butter or the second bowl of ice-cream to place us on the cycle of failure again. Let's keep our eyes on the truth of being healthy and off the foods we feel we need. Our weakness often manifests at the most IN-opportune times. Yes? Praying for you, PK