Victory In The Wilderness II

1 Corinthians 10:12-14 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

When the love of Christ compels you, although you are free in Christ, you become a slave of sorts to others. Their needs, concerns, and problems have now become your priorities, as well as your own. You must keep in mind that as a leader, others are watching you closely, and it is important for their sake that you show self-control in all things. The more others look up to you, the more you must keep this truth in mind. You must be disciplined so that your actions will not cause you to lose credibility with those you love, and who also love you and look up to you. Do not be a hypocrite! Not long ago, at a church men's retreat, a fairly new believer told me that his father-in-law, Paul, was the wisest man that he had ever met. That is how we want to be viewed by those that the Lord has brought into our circle of influence. The things you say today, and the things you do today, will be repeated and done by your brother, your son or daughter, or your grandchild tomorrow.

The Israelites who were delivered from the Pharaoh of Egypt were under the protective cloud of the Lord, and passed through the sea and were baptized, and they all ate manna from heaven and drank the same cool, clear, living water, from the spiritual rock, Jesus Christ, that followed them, wherever they wandered in the wilderness. “Nevertheless, with most of them, God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Perhaps, more than anyone besides the disciples, they were walking in the presence of the Lord’s provision and instead of following Him, they chose to follow false idols, their sinful lusts, and their pride of life, as they stumbled about in the wilderness.

Why do we often choose to live the old way; rather than to “Abide Above” or to say; “Not I … But Christ” I suppose it is just the way our basic human nature has been developed since the fall of Adam and Eve. The story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness was given to us so that we can understand their weaknesses and foolishness, and not repeat their mistakes. If you would like to be victorious and call upon the Lord as your strength, a good first step would be to meditate on 1 Corinthians; Chapters 8-10; and also, read and meditate on the entire book of Exodus. Pray for the Lord Jesus to speak to you through His spirit and His Word, as he has to me. Have you chosen to follow the foolish ways of the Israelites in the wilderness? “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY” That sounds like they were just following the leading of their basic human nature to me. They went wherever and did whatever that happened to come their way, just like most people today ... on auto-pilot. I've got a strong suspicion, that this is not what God is looking for in you and me. What do you think? We are told to flee idolatry ... remember Joseph, when tempted by Potiphar's wife? Remove yourself from the temptation. Run from it! Are you testing the Lord, going and doing whatever without thinking, acting immorally, grumbling in the midst of His deliverance? No, no, no … do not open yourself up to the judgments of the Lord. These things were written for our instruction in how to overcome our sin and bad habits. Don’t just read it … meditate on it, rest in it, stand on it, consider your position … experience the victory!

Be careful my friend, if you feel confident in your walk, and content in the circumstance of your everyday life. Pay close attention to God’s word. Listen closely to all that is written, meditate on the word, and consider how it applies to your daily experience so that you do not fall for the schemes of the enemies of Christ. Listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Your God is faithful, and His overwhelming victory over all of the challenges of the world is complete and absolute, and he has reserved this victory for you as well. All that worries you is nothing new to him, He has dealt with your petty problems a million times before. And he will empower you and provide your way of escape. Identify idolatry in your life and flee from the temptations the evil one has put in your path.

Rest in the Lord Jesus and He will give you a refreshing drink of His Living Water, and His cloud will protect you from the heat of the day, and the attacks of your enemy, the devil.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor 10: 3-5 Your part is to renew your mind and rest in the Lord ... only the Holy Spirit can defeat your evil enemy, the devil. He will transform you! The weapons of your warfare are divinely powerful ... do you really believe this truth? Where are these fortresses that need to be destroyed? They are the sinful positions that the evil one has established in your life, wherever and whatever they are. Your points of weakness are where the evil one builds his strongholds from which to attack you. You know what they are. Turn them over to the Lord ... NOW. Command Satan ... You have no power over me, in the name of Christ, Begone! Say it, repeat it over and over against each and every sin, bad habit, bad attitude, wrong thinking, or seed of bitterness. And the evil one will depart from you. At first he will most likely keep up his assault on you, but if you follow the example of the Lord in the wilderness and use the sword of the spirit, over and over, calling on the power of Christ ... you will win, in any area of your life. The devil will flee you and Christ; just like he fled Jesus when he tempted Him in the wilderness. Jesus was victorious over the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the sinful pride of life. And angels came to minister to him. And when you stand with Christ ... against Satan, you also have certain victory, every time. Rest in Christ ... rest in your heavenly position, standing on the truth of the Word. The Holy Spirit will guide you, and provide your way of escape ... a certain path to victory over your old ways, your bad habits, your areas of sin, and your enemy the evil one. Your Victory is secure in Christ.

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
God Bless you my friends, Bob
Pray to receive Christ as Savior