God said, 'Let's make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26 WEBI love cars, always have. Once I was slowly restoring an old Pontiac Grand Prix. I had installed a fresh big block 400 engine, custom TH400 transmission, new dual exhaust, and she was riding on a set of BFGoodrich T/A radials. I spent a lot of time in junk yards, gathering parts like I was on a treasure hunt. The old Pontiac was coming back to life.
Unfortunately I was with a person who would try and destroy something that I cared about anytime she became angry, and that was pretty often. When I had the car close to finished, I came home one day to find that she had spray painted profanity all over the body, the windows, the chrome, the grill, the bumpers, the rims and tires in a bright neon pink. I sold the car that afternoon to a junkman to get it out of the yard. I didn't want neighbors, friends, and family to see it.
Yet the story doesn't end there. It should have, but it didn't. Over time I watched her beat the windows out of my cars with shovels, kick dents in the fenders and door panels, and ram them with other cars. It was like an uncontrollable jealous rage, but she couldn't take her rage out on me directly. The way that she hurt me was to hurt something that I cared about.
We are made in the image of God, and He loves us. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son' (John 3:16). God is big and strong, so satan cannot stand up to Him. Instead he takes his anger out on something that God loves: us. Every time that we fall into one of his traps, he is filled with happiness because it hurts God a little more. This is his way of getting back at God, by hurting those who God cares about.
When David had Uriah killed and took his wife Bathsheba to be his own wife, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to him who said: 'Because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh's enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die' (2 Samuel 12:14). When satan got David, the great man of God to fall into his trap, it gave the enemies of God 'great occasion' to blaspheme, curse, and laugh. Over all, the enemies of God loved it. They celebrated a victory.
Your actions and choices affect more than you for there is a spiritual battle raging on in the spirit realm. Stay close to God and do not be used as a tool to hurt Him by falling into temptation. Though it looks pleasurable, it is nothing but a trap designed to trash the image of God one more time.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me stand strong and to see the road ahead clearly. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one. Protect me from my own weaknesses and let me never give Your enemies a reason to rejoice. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presences and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link:
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Amen!!
Amen Lord, amen
Amen Father!
Amen
Amen!!!!
God is so Good!!!!!!
Amen! Love your stories, Pastor Dion.
Thank you for sharing. Amen
Amen, praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Thank you Lord Jesus for everything. Amen!
Heavenly Father, please help me stand strong and to see the road ahead clearly. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one. Protect me from my own weaknesses and let me never give Your enemies a reason to rejoice. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! Great message Pastor Dion!
Oh Heavenly Father I trust in You, don't let me fall to the temptations of him whom wants to destroy our relationship. Show me a clear path to follow Your designs and be protected by You, in Jesus name I pray. Amen. With You I always be safe.
Great testimony Pastor, God bless you.
What a great analogy--Satan uses us as tools! I think this lesson should be taught in Sunday school-- maybe, kids would stop and think before tempted to steal that coveted item from the store!
Pretty powerful message this morning, Pastor! Thank you. We’ve all been there and now have a way to be forewarned! Blessings to all ;-)
Amen!
Amen
Protect us dear God from all evil. Praise God. Amen
Amen! Oh Lord God, dear Heavenly Father, please keep me from temptation and deliver me and all my loved ones fromt he evil one, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!
I'm so very sorry, Pastor Dion, all that pain and hurt, which is so hard to forget!!! Just remember the day will come and the Lord will wipe away all tears and all painful experiences and memories with His healing touch!!! Blessings to you!!!
NEVER GIVE UP ON GOD ,HE WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU
Amen!!