DAY #40

My Lord,

YOUR Grace is MORE than Sufficient!  Missy and I are on day 40 of our drinking only, juice fast.  I have not chewed any solid foods since February 28th and I would not have come this far without your grace and provision! 

I made a committment to you and Father, I am so happy that I kept my word.  Yes, we still have 10 more days to go.  Only because we extended it for the 5K on April 19th.  Yet, another reason why I so heart you!  I had (a marathon) on my life list, but crossed it off believing that I'd never get around to it. Lo' and behold, Missy presented me with an opportunity to cross the finish line and to cross something else off of my list.  BUT you already knew that because you are GOD! :-)

Father, this came to me via e-mail and I must share!  With YOU, we have the VICTORY!  Without you, we are surely defeated and without hope!

Today's Profound #TRUTH and Words to Live by - 5 Steps to Avoid Temptation

Temptation is something we all face as Christians, no matter how long we have been following Christ. There are a few practical things, however, that we can do to grow stronger and smarter in our struggle against sin. We can learn how to avoid temptation by practicing these five steps.
Time Required: A Lifetime
Here's How:

1) Recognize your tendency toward sin.
James 1:14 explains that we are tempted when we become enticed by our own natural desires. The first step toward avoiding temptation, is recognizing our human tendency to be tempted by our own fleshly desires. Temptation is a given, so don't be surprised by it. Rather, expect to be tempted. Be prepared for it.

2) Run away from the temptation.
I love the New Living Translation of 1 Corinthians 10:13. It says, "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."

When you are face to face with temptation, look for the way out that God has promised and then run as fast as you can.

3) Resist with the Word of truth.
Hebrews 4:12 says God's Word is living and active. Did you know you can carry a weapon that will make your thoughts obey Jesus Christ? If you don't believe me, read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 One of these weapons is the Word of God.

Though it can be helpful to read God's Word when you're being tempted, sometimes that's not practical. Even better is to practice reading the Word daily, so that eventually you have so much of it inside, you are ready whenever temptation comes. If you are reading through the Bible regularly, you will have the full counsel of God at your disposal.

4) Refocus with praise.
How often have you been tempted to sin when your heart and mind were fully concentrated on worship to the Lord? Praising God takes your focus off of yourself and puts it on God. You may not be strong enough to resist temptation on your own, but as you focus on God, he will inhabit your praise. He will give you the strength to resist and walk away from the temptation. May I suggest Psalm 147 as a good place to start.

5) Repent quickly when you fail.
In several places the Bible tells us the best way to resist temptation is to flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Yet still we all fail from time to time. We fail to flee. Notice I didn't say, repent quickly if you fail. Having a more realistic view—knowing that at times you will fail—should help you to repent quickly when you do. It is not the end of the world when you fail, but it is very dangerous to persist in your sin. Going back to James 1, verse 15 explains that sin "when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Eternally yours