Legacy Busters, Pt 1

When soldiers go into battle, they are prepared; they know who the enemy is and who they are fighting. As Christian men in a post-Christian culture, we find ourselves in a spiritual battle. We, too, must be prepared. Today we prep for battle by looking at Scripture which identifies the three great enemies of our faith.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Our flesh is simply our human nature corrupted by sin. The lust of the flesh describes what it means to live your life dominated by our senses. This lifestyle constantly fights against the things of God in our lives. Paul identifies the acts of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 as, “sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing and things like these.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Romans 13:14 gives us two important instructions, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts”.

1. Put on Jesus by digging into His Word in your quiet time and at church. Make provision for Truth and the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.

2. Put off the flesh by removing the opportunities for the flesh. Remove that source of temptation – the Xbox, put a filter on your computers, etc. Make NO provision for the flesh.

“Walk by the spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

Legacy Busters, Pt 2

Legacy Busters is our title for today’s devotional in our series, Your Legacy. What can destroy the godly legacy that we want to leave to our descendants? Scripture is very specific and identifies the second enemy of our faith. Join me we as learn together.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Our eyes are the main avenue of temptation. Your eyes are closely related to your heart. “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:13-15

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Temptation is inevitable. However, lust is either pursued for pleasure or fled from for righteousness. Listen carefully to Paul, “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” II Timothy 2:22

"Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store;
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, Christian, love me more.’"
Cecil Alexander

Legacy Busters, Pt 3

Today we close our series, Your Legacy, by looking at the third enemy of the faith, the boastful pride of life. Our modern-day version of this posts a selfie showing how good our life is. Join me as we hear what God has to say about this issue that we all struggle with.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

The third enemy of our faith is the boastful pride of life. I wanted to share this amazing quote with you: “Someone caught up in the pride of life is not trusting that they are already empowered by God, loved by God and famous with God.” James 4:4 tells us what happens when we seek life’s satisfaction elsewhere. “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Then this prIde often keeps us from truly repenting of our sins and turning back to Him.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Your life is a gift to you from God. What you do with that life is your choice. Your choices will affect and influence your children and grandchildren. Men, can I encourage you to grow in your love for Christ and resolve to run only after Him.

"Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last." C.T. Studd