You are my beloved child, in whom I delight

“Have you heard God’s blessing in your inmost being? Are the words “You are my beloved child, in whom I delight” an endless source of joy and strength?

Have you sensed, through the Holy Spirit, God speaking them to you? That blessing – the blessing through the Spirit that is ours through Christ – is what Jacob received, and it is the only remedy against idolatry. Only that blessing makes idols unnecessary.

As with Jacob, we usually discover this only after a life of ‘looking for blessing in all the wrong places.’ It often takes an experience of crippling weakness for us to finally discover it. That is why so many of the most God-blessed people limp as they dance for joy.”

- Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods (New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2009), 164.

I did it again!! :(

Every time I sin, I make light of God's grace in my life! My actions clearly manifest, lack of trust in the All-Powerful God and reveals the presence of remaining sin in my flesh. What am I thinking when I disobey God?? Is it a sense of over confidence, that quietly seeps into me, when I give in to temptation?? What does God's word say?

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." James 1:14. The sparks are within me to start a fire!!!!

What more does God's word say? "But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16. A simple command to follow and believe!

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness." Hebrews 3: 7, 8

Yes!! Listen to what God's word says in regard to temptation. Take a close look at this verse!!!!
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. " 1 Corinthians 10:13 (emphasis mine!)

And don't forget what it says in Romans 15:4. "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope."