Monday Morning Perspective

What a great day at Millbrook yesterday.  Awesome crowd came out to worship together, study God's Word through small groups and hear God's Word proclaimed.
I'm loving our time in the book of James.  Like Eddie said, it's 108 power packed verses of practical living.  My prayer is that each and every verse would impact the way we live.  May we hold one another accountable to live out what we are hearing with our ears.
Pass the Test...that was the challenge.  We saw once again that God tests us but Satan tempts us and our times of testing can so often lead to seasons of temptation.  There is always that temptation to do things our way and not wait on God and so we find ourselves in a state of sin.  I loved the illustration of how monkeys are caught because they won't let go of the rice in their hands and so often we hold tightly to things that we want so desperately and before you know it we are caught and hooked.  I also loved how Eddie talked about Satan being the expert angler and how he baits the hook that appeals to our desires.  He knows us well. For most of us he has spent years watching us and observing what appeals to us and he knows what our weaknesses are and how to get us and yes for many of us "any slimy worm will do".  Doesn't that make you hate him all the more!?  I loved Eddie's challenge to see behind the hook.  Realize the power in the boat to get us to grab the hook and be swept away.  The bait gets our attention, it affects our attitudes as we begin to think about it, then the action...we bite.  Realizing that taking the bait Satan puts out there for us leads to death but relying on the power of God in our life to overcome those temptations leads to life and He will ALWAYS provide a way out if we look to Him and wait for Him.
I'm so thankful that as we grow in Christ and rely on His power in our life we can have the abundant life He has for us.  We don't have to be victims of Satan and his bait.  We can be overcomers and live a life of victory.  But...to do that we have to grow up, be mature believers and walk the talk.