Over the years I have grown to love Coach Wooden's philosophy on basketball. I think mostly because it is so applicable to life for it is grounded in Bible principles. He talks about giving your best on every possession. The idea behind this is not that you will make every shot, never have a turnover, and break the press every single time. The idea is that you give yourself the best opportunity to do these things.
Something I'm learning as I have begun coaching is that this is the principle I need to be teaching. Intensity. The desire to give the absolute best effort on every play. Well that is great for basketball but how does that relate to life? Simple. Everyday we are given a gift of 24 hours. How we consistently spend these hours will determine the direction of our lives. The reason for that is simply that these hours in essence are our lives. We are given a gift of how to spend them.
Something else I'm learning is that there are things we have to do. We aren't necessarily given a choice, (if we want to eat or get an education or fill in the blank.) Yet we can still make the most even of these hours by the way we choose to see them. Our attitude truly does make an impact on the direction of our lives. We may waste a day here or there, but if we choose to learn from our mistakes even the initially wasted day can bring impact into our lives. If we live each day with an intensity to use it to the best of our ability for the Lord, I think we will meet with results unimagined. They will exceed our expectations.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
journey
I have often heard, and occasionally thought myself, "I wish I knew..." I believe though that one of the sweetest blessings God gives us is the inability to know the future. Part of the thrill of life is the journey, and if we were to take away that element, where would be the joy in triumph or the strength to endure hard times? Faith would not be necessary because it would be trust in the seen not in the unseen.
What trials have you been through in your lifetime? How did you get through? If you're anything like me you often look back thinking you should have done this or that different. And sometimes you should have, you knew better, but you did the opposite of what should have been done. Other times you learn during, or after, the right course to have taken. Other times you nail it. This is the journey.
We were in James a lot yesterday during the morning class and the lessons presented, and the idea of tests came up. What is the point of a test? Is it not to test what we have learned to see if we can apply it? I was thinking yesterday how cool it is that God doesn't make us sit there and take a written test. Rather He gives us one life to do with as we please, and yet it is a test in and of itself to determine our final dwelling place. We can study or we can do things our own way. We can take our experiences and make corrections or we can fail in the same ways over and over. We can grow or we can stay the same. Probably the biggest difference is that it is an open note, phone a friend, and the most important, ask the Creator for help and guidance type test.
We don't see the exact test ahead of time (although we are given examples of the same type problems). If we did we might not study as hard because we thought it was easy or we might get discouraged and simply not try (which would be a horrible thing because God's grace is an amazing thing when accessed on His terms.) We should always remember that the test and the One who gives it are always for our benefit, while the tempter, which is something totally different entirely, is out for our destruction. May we take the test that is a journey with the view of the reward always in sight.
"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
~James 1:4 (NIV)
What trials have you been through in your lifetime? How did you get through? If you're anything like me you often look back thinking you should have done this or that different. And sometimes you should have, you knew better, but you did the opposite of what should have been done. Other times you learn during, or after, the right course to have taken. Other times you nail it. This is the journey.
We were in James a lot yesterday during the morning class and the lessons presented, and the idea of tests came up. What is the point of a test? Is it not to test what we have learned to see if we can apply it? I was thinking yesterday how cool it is that God doesn't make us sit there and take a written test. Rather He gives us one life to do with as we please, and yet it is a test in and of itself to determine our final dwelling place. We can study or we can do things our own way. We can take our experiences and make corrections or we can fail in the same ways over and over. We can grow or we can stay the same. Probably the biggest difference is that it is an open note, phone a friend, and the most important, ask the Creator for help and guidance type test.
We don't see the exact test ahead of time (although we are given examples of the same type problems). If we did we might not study as hard because we thought it was easy or we might get discouraged and simply not try (which would be a horrible thing because God's grace is an amazing thing when accessed on His terms.) We should always remember that the test and the One who gives it are always for our benefit, while the tempter, which is something totally different entirely, is out for our destruction. May we take the test that is a journey with the view of the reward always in sight.
"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
~James 1:4 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
questions for study
I have been wanting to study lately about how we should react to people... how Christ reacted to people because I often hear conflicting statements with the Christ I understand the Bible to speak of and the One I see the world talk about. I've come up with questions I'm hoping to go into more in-depth and thought they might prove to be an interesting study for others as well.
What does our attitude toward sin need to be?
What about our attitude toward the sinner?
Is Christ's forgiveness conditional?
Is His love?
How does Jesus address sin?
How does He address the sinner?
Just some thoughts to ponder. More importantly to examine the answers with the Word.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ~2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Answers
I pray about a lot of things. Sometimes they seem pretty insignificant, but often I pray about them anyway, many times just so that I won't worry about it. I found myself praying a couple days ago about not running out of gas in my mower. It really wasn't that big of a deal if I did. Worst case scenario, I had to go home and get gas and be slightly inconvenienced. I found myself at the very last stretch about to make it with a short strip and a half left to go when my mower sputtered and ran out of gas. Even though it wasn't a big deal, I still didn't understand the purpose in me running out with that little bit left to go, and yet I did. So I went home, got gas and came back pouring just a little bit into the tank because I didn't need very much, but it wouldn't start so I added more, and finished the job.
Tonight I was heading out to mow, and dad told me he hoped I had gas in the mower because he had just given the rest to someone who had run out in town and was needing some for their vehicle. Dad has told me for years that it is uncanny how often I drain the tank in the mower of gas without a drop to spare. That thought popped in my mind as I went out to check the mowers, and I was trying to figure out other arrangements of when to mow. I checked the one I usually bagged with and it was totally dry. We had a couple others, but I wasn't sure how well they bag or if we even still had one that fit so I had ruled them out. We looked around for the other mower that bagged well and I realized that it was still at the house I had mowed at a few days before. Then I remembered the prayer I had prayed, and how I had to fill it with even more gas in order to get it started.
It's a simple illustration and life definitely would have moved on quite normally had I not been able to mow that lawn tonight, but it reminded me of a deeper principle that I have seen demonstrated over and over in my life (often with guys I like who don't like me back or vice versa.) That principle is God answers prayers in accordance with our needs and not always with our wants. This is not always easy to understand in the moment when we really want something, but it is such a comfort when we do understand not only the concept, but the love God has for us. One of the last guys I liked I thought had everything I wanted. He was very attractive, had a good sense of humor, was easy to talk to, but even more than that he had the love and devotion for God that I long for in a guy. He was everything I thought I wanted, and yet God told me no. It was not an easy pill to swallow, but the prayer that kept coming back in my head was, thank You for what I don't understand, but I know is in Your control...
It was not my quickness that taught me this prayer, but rather God showing me His faithfulness over and over and over. In little things like allowing me to have enough gas to mow a lawn, and bigger things like saying no to a guy so that I could go without hindrance to the place that I truly believe is where I can serve God best. He really is an awesome God.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21 (NIV)
Tonight I was heading out to mow, and dad told me he hoped I had gas in the mower because he had just given the rest to someone who had run out in town and was needing some for their vehicle. Dad has told me for years that it is uncanny how often I drain the tank in the mower of gas without a drop to spare. That thought popped in my mind as I went out to check the mowers, and I was trying to figure out other arrangements of when to mow. I checked the one I usually bagged with and it was totally dry. We had a couple others, but I wasn't sure how well they bag or if we even still had one that fit so I had ruled them out. We looked around for the other mower that bagged well and I realized that it was still at the house I had mowed at a few days before. Then I remembered the prayer I had prayed, and how I had to fill it with even more gas in order to get it started.
It's a simple illustration and life definitely would have moved on quite normally had I not been able to mow that lawn tonight, but it reminded me of a deeper principle that I have seen demonstrated over and over in my life (often with guys I like who don't like me back or vice versa.) That principle is God answers prayers in accordance with our needs and not always with our wants. This is not always easy to understand in the moment when we really want something, but it is such a comfort when we do understand not only the concept, but the love God has for us. One of the last guys I liked I thought had everything I wanted. He was very attractive, had a good sense of humor, was easy to talk to, but even more than that he had the love and devotion for God that I long for in a guy. He was everything I thought I wanted, and yet God told me no. It was not an easy pill to swallow, but the prayer that kept coming back in my head was, thank You for what I don't understand, but I know is in Your control...
It was not my quickness that taught me this prayer, but rather God showing me His faithfulness over and over and over. In little things like allowing me to have enough gas to mow a lawn, and bigger things like saying no to a guy so that I could go without hindrance to the place that I truly believe is where I can serve God best. He really is an awesome God.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21 (NIV)
Friday, September 10, 2010
How do you define success?
How do you define success? The answer is important because more than likely it is what motivates you to do what you do. I believe we all want to be successful. However it is not always success in the eyes of the world that we are seeking.
Success is many things to different people. I think one of the best definitions I have come across is John Wooden's. He said, "Success is the peace of mind that is a direct result of knowing that you did the best of which you were capable of doing." I think this coupled with the idea of serving God on His terms is what true success looks like. I guess if I were to write it out it would sound something like this: success is the peace of mind that is a direct result of knowing that you did the best to serve God on His terms of which you are capable of doing.
I sincerely believe that each of us were put here to do something great for the kingdom of God. My gift is not the same as yours, and yours isn't the same as somebody else's. Nor can I do what you were put here to do better than you can nor you do better what someone else was gifted with.
I have been reading and listening to leadership material by John Maxwell and he talks a lot about leading from the middle. In other words, not everyone is meant to be at the very top position, in fact, few are. Maybe you are meant to lead at the top of your organization and that is wonderful, I hope you succeed. However, maybe you are where you are because that is the exact place you need to be. Please don't think I'm trying to stifle ambition! At the same time, don't think that just because where you are isn't at the top (positions the world is usually impressed by) that your gifts and abilities aren't needed.
"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many." ~1 Corinthians 12:14
Success is many things to different people. I think one of the best definitions I have come across is John Wooden's. He said, "Success is the peace of mind that is a direct result of knowing that you did the best of which you were capable of doing." I think this coupled with the idea of serving God on His terms is what true success looks like. I guess if I were to write it out it would sound something like this: success is the peace of mind that is a direct result of knowing that you did the best to serve God on His terms of which you are capable of doing.
I sincerely believe that each of us were put here to do something great for the kingdom of God. My gift is not the same as yours, and yours isn't the same as somebody else's. Nor can I do what you were put here to do better than you can nor you do better what someone else was gifted with.
I have been reading and listening to leadership material by John Maxwell and he talks a lot about leading from the middle. In other words, not everyone is meant to be at the very top position, in fact, few are. Maybe you are meant to lead at the top of your organization and that is wonderful, I hope you succeed. However, maybe you are where you are because that is the exact place you need to be. Please don't think I'm trying to stifle ambition! At the same time, don't think that just because where you are isn't at the top (positions the world is usually impressed by) that your gifts and abilities aren't needed.
"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many." ~1 Corinthians 12:14
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Seek Solutions
"Recognizing the challenges is of little value without solutions." ~ John Maxwell
I think this is a great concept that if applied to everyday life, would change the course of our own lives if not the very course of the world. I have thought a lot about balance over the years and how important it is to find balances in the things we do. We may never come to a perfect balance but the closer we get the better we will be as people striving to be our own personal best. I love the idea of staying positive regardless of the circumstances. I also think that if we ignore the circumstances, we could wind up facing things that could have been avoided.
I think Maxwell's statement above holds a valuable key to finding the balance of remaining positive while recognizing there are challenges. And that is in looking for solutions. This looking for solutions allows us to constantly be seeking ways for improvement which does not allow time for wallowing, but pushes us to find the ways to make things better.
One of the most overlooked solutions quite possibly is prayer. Prayer allows us to go before the throne of the Creator of the universe and seek guidance and help in whatever situation we face. Now this does not mean God is a genie who will grant our every whim but rather we have the opportunity to humbly beseech our Lord for help in the things that are (and aren't) out of our control. We must do it on His terms, but what a great blessing that is!
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)
I think this is a great concept that if applied to everyday life, would change the course of our own lives if not the very course of the world. I have thought a lot about balance over the years and how important it is to find balances in the things we do. We may never come to a perfect balance but the closer we get the better we will be as people striving to be our own personal best. I love the idea of staying positive regardless of the circumstances. I also think that if we ignore the circumstances, we could wind up facing things that could have been avoided.
I think Maxwell's statement above holds a valuable key to finding the balance of remaining positive while recognizing there are challenges. And that is in looking for solutions. This looking for solutions allows us to constantly be seeking ways for improvement which does not allow time for wallowing, but pushes us to find the ways to make things better.
One of the most overlooked solutions quite possibly is prayer. Prayer allows us to go before the throne of the Creator of the universe and seek guidance and help in whatever situation we face. Now this does not mean God is a genie who will grant our every whim but rather we have the opportunity to humbly beseech our Lord for help in the things that are (and aren't) out of our control. We must do it on His terms, but what a great blessing that is!
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
yield not to self-pity
I came across a quote by Helen Keller yesterday that said, "Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world." I have always loved her outlook on life. She didn't start out with such a good outlook, but she eventually learned and chose the better way.
She holds a key though to a happy life. It can be easy to let life knock us down; to look at our circumstances and compare them with others and think to ourselves, "I didn't do anything to deserve this." Or another just as dangerous, "I deserve..." and we fill in the blank. Maybe these things are true but the opposite is as well. We each in turn have received numerous blessings that we didn't deserve and I daresay have been spared some of the things we did deserve.
Many times in life circumstances hit us. Sometimes we do something to cause them. Sometimes they are totally out of our control. What we do after and with them is what is going to allow us to grow and do great things. Our goal should be a proactive stance against whatever comes our way. Don't just sit there and let life happen! Make the most of everyday! Life is meant to be relished. Hard times will come yes, but if we don't allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity, but rather face each day with determination to make it a good one we will have a pretty good life.
"This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." ~1 John 5:3-5 (NIV)
She holds a key though to a happy life. It can be easy to let life knock us down; to look at our circumstances and compare them with others and think to ourselves, "I didn't do anything to deserve this." Or another just as dangerous, "I deserve..." and we fill in the blank. Maybe these things are true but the opposite is as well. We each in turn have received numerous blessings that we didn't deserve and I daresay have been spared some of the things we did deserve.
Many times in life circumstances hit us. Sometimes we do something to cause them. Sometimes they are totally out of our control. What we do after and with them is what is going to allow us to grow and do great things. Our goal should be a proactive stance against whatever comes our way. Don't just sit there and let life happen! Make the most of everyday! Life is meant to be relished. Hard times will come yes, but if we don't allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity, but rather face each day with determination to make it a good one we will have a pretty good life.
"This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." ~1 John 5:3-5 (NIV)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Focus: Christ or the storm?
In each day lies the opportunity for great things and for bad. Rarely if ever will we find ourselves in a situation that contains only good things or only bad so what we choose to focus on will ultimately determine how we react.
I have thought a lot about the story of Jesus walking on water, but not just Him walking on water, also Peter. At Peter's bidding Christ told Peter to come to Him on the water. So Peter got out of the boat and actually started to walk on the water, (something that was impossible for him to do on his own.) He was going along fine until he started seeing the wind and became afraid. At that point he began to sink and the Lord reached out his hand to rescue him.
There are many different points people can draw from this. I love the mental picture it gives me. There are so many times in life where we are hit with insurmountable odds. That is they are insurmountable on our own accord. There are times we are going to be called out of the boat (sometimes at our own bidding.) Where our focus lies after that is critical. If we have our focus and our faith in Jesus, we will be able to do the impossible. If we lose sight of Who is in control and doubt we will begin to sink.
Peter also shows another important point in that while he was sinking he called out to Christ, and He rescued Peter.
Life will come with many different challenges, opportunities, uncertainties and excitements. May we learn to focus on our Savior and not on the storm.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33 (NIV)
I have thought a lot about the story of Jesus walking on water, but not just Him walking on water, also Peter. At Peter's bidding Christ told Peter to come to Him on the water. So Peter got out of the boat and actually started to walk on the water, (something that was impossible for him to do on his own.) He was going along fine until he started seeing the wind and became afraid. At that point he began to sink and the Lord reached out his hand to rescue him.
There are many different points people can draw from this. I love the mental picture it gives me. There are so many times in life where we are hit with insurmountable odds. That is they are insurmountable on our own accord. There are times we are going to be called out of the boat (sometimes at our own bidding.) Where our focus lies after that is critical. If we have our focus and our faith in Jesus, we will be able to do the impossible. If we lose sight of Who is in control and doubt we will begin to sink.
Peter also shows another important point in that while he was sinking he called out to Christ, and He rescued Peter.
Life will come with many different challenges, opportunities, uncertainties and excitements. May we learn to focus on our Savior and not on the storm.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33 (NIV)
Friday, September 3, 2010
An Open Door
Once again it never ceases to amaze me how well God answers prayers! He doesn't always answer us on our timing, but He always has the perfect timing....
This whole summer I have known where I wanted to be, because I knew where I believed I could serve God best, but I knew that if it wasn't His will I would never get there (which is actually a wonderful thing!) I was at the point where I was having to figure out something to do, but I knew I still wanted to be here in this little town that I love. So I made arrangements to stay with only temporary forms of income in mind (my parents have graciously allowed me to stay with them so I wasn't panicking with the thought of unemployment.) Then out of the blue, God opened up a door with the school as an aid. One that looks like it will have many different facets which is right up my alley. My hope and prayer is that I will use the opportunites that are sure to come in the right ways, and that I will be able to glorify God with what He has given me in this area of my life as well. He has blessed me so much! : D
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." ~Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
This whole summer I have known where I wanted to be, because I knew where I believed I could serve God best, but I knew that if it wasn't His will I would never get there (which is actually a wonderful thing!) I was at the point where I was having to figure out something to do, but I knew I still wanted to be here in this little town that I love. So I made arrangements to stay with only temporary forms of income in mind (my parents have graciously allowed me to stay with them so I wasn't panicking with the thought of unemployment.) Then out of the blue, God opened up a door with the school as an aid. One that looks like it will have many different facets which is right up my alley. My hope and prayer is that I will use the opportunites that are sure to come in the right ways, and that I will be able to glorify God with what He has given me in this area of my life as well. He has blessed me so much! : D
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." ~Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Expectations
Have you ever expected people to read your mind? I know I have, although it's not always a conscious thought, and most of the time it happens when I'm around people I'm closest too. I expect them to know what I want and how I want it done. If I actually sat down and thought it through I would realize at the time how selfish and ignorant that sounds, but often I'm in the moment and like the commercial, "I want it and I want it now!"
It seems easier with people I don't know as well because they don't know me as well either and we don't have the history together so I have less expectations for them to do what I want. I was sent a text this morning talking about what genuine love is and one of the things it said was not having expectations. If we are talking about expectations in the way I just described I wholeheartedly agree. There are times, I know in my own life, where I set unreasonable expectations on people especially the ones I love, and often in those moments don't act in as loving a fashion as I should.
On the other hand I believe we should have great expectations for the people around us especially the ones that are closest to us. I have seen many times how when there are low or no expectations people usually live down to those, while, on the other hand, when there are high expectations people rise to the occasion. I believe part of our responsibilty to others is to help them grow as people and in the Lord, and if we expect nothing from them we probably won't help them as much as we should. The key is in finding that balance between reasonable and unreasonable. It calls for wisdom but can make a huge difference in our lives.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." ~Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
It seems easier with people I don't know as well because they don't know me as well either and we don't have the history together so I have less expectations for them to do what I want. I was sent a text this morning talking about what genuine love is and one of the things it said was not having expectations. If we are talking about expectations in the way I just described I wholeheartedly agree. There are times, I know in my own life, where I set unreasonable expectations on people especially the ones I love, and often in those moments don't act in as loving a fashion as I should.
On the other hand I believe we should have great expectations for the people around us especially the ones that are closest to us. I have seen many times how when there are low or no expectations people usually live down to those, while, on the other hand, when there are high expectations people rise to the occasion. I believe part of our responsibilty to others is to help them grow as people and in the Lord, and if we expect nothing from them we probably won't help them as much as we should. The key is in finding that balance between reasonable and unreasonable. It calls for wisdom but can make a huge difference in our lives.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." ~Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
we do have an enemy
Have you ever noticed that when you try to do good, there are often times when it seems like you are being met with resistance? It's like you try to build others up and find yourself doing the exact opposite of the advice you told them that you know to be effective, or you just keep doing things you know you shouldn't be doing and don't want to do, but you seem to do them anyway. It can be a very frustrating thing at times as well as disheartening, but it can be overcome.
We are told in Ephesians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This may sound a little creepy and in ways it is, but it points out that our struggle is not against the people of this world, it's against Satan.
We really do have an enemy who is constantly working against us. He is not one to be feared, but he is to be recognized as a real being who hates us because he hates the God we serve. The amazing thing is we serve a God who is stronger and who has the power to defeat every one of the devil's schemes. This doesn't mean God doesn't allow the devil to work, but it does mean that we have access to the power to defeat Satan's schemes.
I think most of us have heard the phrase, "The devil made me do it." Most laugh when they hear it because we recognize that neither God nor Satan make us do anything, we choose on our own. This however doesn't change the fact that we are sometimes tempted greatly to choose the wrong, and while we hope to always choose the right, we all have in the past and I daresay will again choose the wrong at some point in our life. Simply because we all do sin, doesn't make sin okay, but at the same time we cannot allow those times where we mess up accidentally or purposefully to consume us.
The reason Christ died, the reason we repent and are baptized into Him, was because God knew from the beginning that we would fail Him. So He sent us a Savior, and a way back to Him. The fact is we do have an enemy, but the greater fact is we having a loving God and a wonderful Savior who has overcome the enemy.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." ~Matthew 6:13 (an excerpt from the Lord's prayer)
We are told in Ephesians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This may sound a little creepy and in ways it is, but it points out that our struggle is not against the people of this world, it's against Satan.
We really do have an enemy who is constantly working against us. He is not one to be feared, but he is to be recognized as a real being who hates us because he hates the God we serve. The amazing thing is we serve a God who is stronger and who has the power to defeat every one of the devil's schemes. This doesn't mean God doesn't allow the devil to work, but it does mean that we have access to the power to defeat Satan's schemes.
I think most of us have heard the phrase, "The devil made me do it." Most laugh when they hear it because we recognize that neither God nor Satan make us do anything, we choose on our own. This however doesn't change the fact that we are sometimes tempted greatly to choose the wrong, and while we hope to always choose the right, we all have in the past and I daresay will again choose the wrong at some point in our life. Simply because we all do sin, doesn't make sin okay, but at the same time we cannot allow those times where we mess up accidentally or purposefully to consume us.
The reason Christ died, the reason we repent and are baptized into Him, was because God knew from the beginning that we would fail Him. So He sent us a Savior, and a way back to Him. The fact is we do have an enemy, but the greater fact is we having a loving God and a wonderful Savior who has overcome the enemy.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." ~Matthew 6:13 (an excerpt from the Lord's prayer)
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