Temptation

Jesus is tempted

Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13 & Luke 4:1-13

Matthew 4:4 - "People need more than bread for their life, they must feed on every word of God."

Luke 4:4- "Jesus told him (Satan), "No! the scriptures say 'People need more than bread for their life."

Jesus was sent to this world to show that God understands ALL things. In these scriptures, it shows us that not only does God understand how hard temptation can be, but also how easy it is for Him to give us his strength. He shows us that something we want so much can be right in front of us that we can reach out & touch it yet its not of him. May not be the right time or right place. To me, Jesus saying, "People need more than bread in their Life" is like saying we don't need to stress about how will we eat or how will I pay for this bill. In Matthew 6: 25-34, God teaches us how valuable we are to him. That with any temptation (no matter what we have done) all we need is him & his strength. Trust him and see!!

Prayer

Lord, Thank you for your word. I pray that you take my heart & make it more like yours. Help me to understand & put it in to meaning what you want me to learn. Help me to show others your light & guide me down your path. Lord thank you for temptations so that we can see that you are more powerful than it all. Guide our tongues to say the right things to teach people your word. We love you Lord!

In your name,

Amen

Posted by: Melissa Grygotis

Create the outcome

"This certainly wasn't my fault!"

Naturally, life doesn’t always go our way and we seem to make mistakes as a response to events that come from outta nowhere.  Yes, it’s so easy to make excuses, place blame on others or argue that someone or something is out to get us.  Still, we only progress in life to the magnitude of how we take responsibility for our actions and attitudes while putting forth the initiative needed to create our own outcomes!  posted by Chuck Collins

Notice "Who's strong and Who's weak?"

I assume America is aware of its strength.  Yes, strength can appear in different facets.  We’ve had it drilled in our brain that strength is a mighty military and Christmas is about making others smile while in return you get the same.   This is a season when Americans can realize it must have something more than numbers and wealth, more than sharing a gift, picking a tree adding some lights, to satisfy the longing of the soul.  Dare we agree that wisdom must be added to strength while greatness needs morality?  Let’s not let this inspirational season leave us without hope.  Unwrap your gift of life and notice there is hope inside.  Hope not only for you but for others.  In this “mighty” country how many will go without clothes and a meal on Dec 25^th?  So are we strong or are we weak?  I know it’s bigger than one person can take on.  We’re a country.

Posted by Chuck Collins

The more we know; better choices we make

Moralities always have natural consequences attached to them. There are positive consequences when we live in harmony with the moralities. There are negative consequences when we ignore them. But because these moralities apply to everyone, whether or not they are aware, this law is universal. And the more we know of God’s moralities, the greater is our personal freedom to act wisely.

posted by Chuck Collins

Zig Ziglar died Wednesday, November 28 He was 86

If one is looking for pleasure in life, they look to their desires. If one is seeking truth, they look for answers. If one wants to get motivated, they pick up a Zig Ziglar book.

“Even in tragedy, God through His word offers hope for those who seek and believe. It starts with the promise of a better tomorrow, of life everlasting, of eternal peace. It’s called faith, and it offers hope where none existed.” – Zig Ziglar

"He was an early inspiration to me while in the Marines and 20 years old." - Chuck

Today Matters Most

Most night’s before I go to sleep I think of my day.  I review it to hopefully find that I've accomplished something.  Do you review your day?  If so, were you satisfied with what you did with the time given to you? Did you make the most of the opportunities afforded to you? Importantly, did you say everything your heart desired?

Perhaps you have a bit of unfinished business you're putting it off? Why do we avoid some people and situations, hoping they'll go away and magically work themselves out? Living in truth could leave us vulnerable and exposed but we never have to worry about not living!   Are you willing to tie up loose ends? Here is a million (today it’s a billion) dollar question: Why do we put off for tomorrow what we have the power to change today?  You will absolutely overwhelm yourself trying to do it all when the payment is due.  Also ...

That tomorrow moment may never arrive.

Over the last couple of years I’ve facilitated several funerals.  The lives I was given the privilege to honor were friends, siblings of good friends and my own mother.  During the preparation time and my attempts to give comfort to grieving friends I realized that life is fragile and very short.  Can we agree that one day our friend or dearest love is here and too soon we’re left asking “What happened?”

The fact is no one is promised tomorrow. We know this, but because it’s not a popular focus, our habit is to put things off. More often than not we put off and allow wounded relationships to remain severed.

We may even allow years to go by before picking up the phone and attempt to reconcile with someone. The wounds may be great and the anger may still be present, but our hearts long for that relationship. Through the process of time we become either too afraid to reach out, fearing more pain through rejection, or we're just prideful. Neither will heal us. Ignoring your special someone will probably lead to more loneliness.  Some trials in life cannot be conquered alone.  We cannot ignore that our poor choice of words, coupled with a sucky attitude, is a recipe for hurting another.  Denying the responsibility of retracting that action with an apology will only create further distance and therefore greater loneliness.  No one wants to face tomorrow alone.  Right?

Let’s face it love is wonderful and beautiful, but it can also be painful. Our heart and invested emotions we give away to people could return to us beat up. Yes, love hurts but it hurts worse when we stop love.  We should learn from yesterday with an understanding that yesterday ended last night. Things happen that cannot be undone.  Tomorrow may come, maybe not, which of us really knows? 

Today matters

Is there someone who needs to hear from you? Do you need to ask forgiveness of someone, even if you didn't mean to? Do you need to set aside the weight of family pride for a moment and call a family member? Can you cast a stone at anyone?

The truth remains that life has many facets.  Don’t simply walk out this life or hold onto grudges.  Grudges coupled with pride wastes precious time.  Whether it lasts years or hours wasted time rewards you with regret.  You could be enjoying life instead of trying to figure out how to medicate any mistakes or poor decisions.  May I encourage you to pick up the phone and call someone? Do it!  Meanwhile, tonight, you'll be able to tell yourself I accomplished something today and it was worth my time.  Peace.

posted by Chuck Collins

May The Odds Be For You

A few years ago I attended a technical class with someone that was at one time employed with a Lotto agency.  Of course he was asked a lot of questions regarding the best ways to play and win the lotto.  He brought up to facets I never would of dreamed existed.

1.  He suggested to pick your numbers in the range of 32 - 56.  This reason for this range is because the majority of players use birthdays in their number selctions.  You have better odds of not sharing the jackpot when selecting numbers between 32 - 56.
2.  He went on to suggest playing your numbers as close to the deadline as possible.  The reason is becuase you have better odds getting hit by a car while crossing the street and dying than you do at winning the lotto.  Interesting.

Congrats to the winners for surving that walk accross the street. 

posted by Chuck Collins

Accepting our Life

JaNonda and I recently watched "Lincoln", twice. Yes, I know, you may ask, "Twice?" What can I say, "It was excellent!" To me it speaks on so many levels.
1. To the war history of that time
2. To country politics of that time
3. To our personal role in life
The decisions we make have a ripple effect that affects many indirectly.  There must be strength in knowing the role you have been assigned to carry out isn't for anyone else but you!

As I watched this movie (twice) I combined it with everything else I read about our great president. I was reminded of all his turmoil, trials and loss. Not just as a president but throughout his life; losing his mother at a young age to his tragic death after passing the 13th Amendment.

How can someone, with so much happening around them, actually stay on the path? Could it be stubbornness? Perhaps. Could it be pride? Maybe. Could it be fear? Yes. Could it be faith? Certainly! If President Lincoln was filled with stubbornness the amendment would've failed. If he was full of pride and fear he would've never been as loved as he was then and is now. I give this over to his faith. Learning about his creator at a young age built a resolve deep inside.  This resolve began to slowly arise as he recognized and accepted his lot in life during the internal war torn era of America. Could there have been any person other than Mr. Lincoln that could've done the same job? I would argue no way! He was absolutely the person to be elected as our 16th President. He knew exactly what it meant when it was said "Pick up your cross daily."

In the Old Testament the Hebrew definition of Abraham is father of a multitude (nation). In the New Testament Paul declares Abraham to be our father in faith. Coincidence? Abraham Lincoln was responsible for rebirthing a nation just by getting the 13th Amendment passed. Not to mention that showing our country the obsession of staying the path of what is right and loving mercy.  Which I believe all the above was orchestrated by our Creator. This is what happens when you decidedly accept your role in life no matter how much turmoil it may bring. Let’s be willing to pick up our cross, daily.  It could be lonely most of our life but somewhere we will reap the rewards.  However, be willing to accept, it might not be from the same arena that generates the turmoil.

posted by Chuck Collins