Today’s Scripture
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)
Big Idea
You become stronger when you know where you are weakest.
Today’s Thought
Sometimes we struggle to understand what a passage of the Bible is communicating. It can feel old, confusing, and weird — just like your math teacher! But you can understand 1 John 2:15-17 vividly by picking up a copy of almost any magazine targeting young people. These verses talk about three strategies Satan uses to drag us away from God’s priorities.
Satan targets our passion to feel with a craving for physical satisfaction — lust of the flesh. It’s a temptation to pursue pleasure. Satan targets our passion to have with a craving for things we see — lust of the eyes. It’s a temptation to pursue possessions. And Satan targets our passion to be with a pride in our achievements and possessions — the pride of life. It’s a temptation to pursue status.
But these aren’t new temptations. Satan successfully used the same tricks
with Adam and Eve back in Genesis 3 — and unsuccessfully tried the same
approach against Jesus in Matthew 4.
What’s your area of vulnerability? Maybe it’s that good-looking classmate or the website you know you shouldn’t visit. Maybe it’s that dream of having a brand-new car or a wardrobe that always reflects the latest trends. Or perhaps you feel such a deep urge to be the most popular kid at school.
Your area of weakness is where Satan will attack you. Guaranteed. So, how can you prepare yourself for the battle that’s ahead? Take 1 John 2:17 and make it your theme verse for the next few days. Write it down on a 3x5 card and tape it to your bathroom mirror or your car’s dashboard or the refrigerator or a book — somewhere you’ll see it several times each day. Memorize the verse. Remind yourself that your goal as an r12 Christian is to live a life that pleases God, but Satan is trying to knock you off track!
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)
Big Idea
You become stronger when you know where you are weakest.
Today’s Thought
Sometimes we struggle to understand what a passage of the Bible is communicating. It can feel old, confusing, and weird — just like your math teacher! But you can understand 1 John 2:15-17 vividly by picking up a copy of almost any magazine targeting young people. These verses talk about three strategies Satan uses to drag us away from God’s priorities.
Satan targets our passion to feel with a craving for physical satisfaction — lust of the flesh. It’s a temptation to pursue pleasure. Satan targets our passion to have with a craving for things we see — lust of the eyes. It’s a temptation to pursue possessions. And Satan targets our passion to be with a pride in our achievements and possessions — the pride of life. It’s a temptation to pursue status.
What’s your area of vulnerability? Maybe it’s that good-looking classmate or the website you know you shouldn’t visit. Maybe it’s that dream of having a brand-new car or a wardrobe that always reflects the latest trends. Or perhaps you feel such a deep urge to be the most popular kid at school.
Your area of weakness is where Satan will attack you. Guaranteed. So, how can you prepare yourself for the battle that’s ahead? Take 1 John 2:17 and make it your theme verse for the next few days. Write it down on a 3x5 card and tape it to your bathroom mirror or your car’s dashboard or the refrigerator or a book — somewhere you’ll see it several times each day. Memorize the verse. Remind yourself that your goal as an r12 Christian is to live a life that pleases God, but Satan is trying to knock you off track!
Avoid the places and thoughts and people that make you more vulnerable.
Renew your mind. Pray for God’s help. Think about God-honoring things.
Maybe even talk with a close friend who can hold you accountable in your
area of greatest weakness. And most of all, remember that God is on your
side!
Prayer
God, I know I’m an imperfect person. I have areas of weakness. I stand on Your
Word and Your promises to be with me at all times. Guard my mind and my
heart as I continue growing as an r12 Christian. Protect me where I’m weak,
and give me Your strength today — and every day. Amen. Prayer
:)
ReplyDelete-Jasmin
Read it :)
ReplyDeleteI read it- gabby :)
ReplyDelete