Quote from Forum Archives on November 11, 2002, 1:35 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

As we begin another work week, I'd like remind you that God
provides all that we need - not just in the material sense,
either. God also provides us forgiveness from our misdeeds and
failings, and God even provides a way to turn away from past
deeds and ways.

Today's message from Neil Anderson does a good job of explaining
this good news, then helping us deal with how to process it. The
scriptures that Neil uses to illustrate and make his point are
among my favorite scriptures.

I pray that each of you will have a great week, and that each of
us will firmly take hold of what God so graciously provides and
makes available to each of us - the daily things we all need,
like food, clothing, shelter, and also the things we can't
outwardly see, like the air we breathe, the Spirit that God
places within us, and the attitudes that we carry. I pray that
we appreciate all that God so graciously and lovingly provides,
even if it is a way of escape.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

November 11, 2002

THE WAY OF ESCAPE

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and
God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what
you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of
escape also, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians
10:13).

First Corinthians 10:13 is the shining good news in the midst of
our fears and concerns about temptation. Where is the escape
hatch that Paul is talking about here? In the same place
temptation is introduced: in your mind. Every temptation is first
a thought introduced to your mind by your own carnality or by the
tempter himself. If you ruminate on that thought and consider it
an option, you will eventually act on it, and that's sin. The
first step for escaping temptation is to apprehend every thought
as soon as it steps through the doorway of your mind.

Once you have halted a penetrating thought, the next step is to
evaluate it on the basis of Paul's eightfold criterion for what
we should think about in Philippians 4:8. Ask yourself, "Does
this thought line up with God's truth? Is it suggesting that I do
something honorable? Right? Pure? If this thought becomes action,
will the outcome be lovely and contribute to excellence in my
life? Will other believers approve of my actions? Is it something
for which I can praise God?" If the answer to any of those
questions is no, dismiss that thought immediately. Don't have
anything more to do with it. If it keeps coming back, keep saying
no. When you learn to respond to tempting thoughts by stopping
them at the door of your mind, evaluating them on the basis of
God's Word, and dismissing those which fail the test, you have
found the way of escape that God's Word promises.

In contrast, if a thought enters your mind and it passes the
Philippians 4:8 test of truth, honor, righteousness, etc., "let
your mind dwell on these things" (verse 8) and "practice these
things" (verse 9). "And the God of peace shall be with you"
(verse 9), which is an infinitely better result than the pain and
turmoil which follows when we yield to tempting thoughts and
become involved in sinful behavior.

Thank You, Lord, for providing a way of escape from all my
temptations. I am determined to win the battle for my mind.

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< www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/>.
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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