The vicious bite of sin.

The scariest thing about sin is not knowing you're in it.
And even when you do know, it keeps telling you it's not a problem.

What a way to die. 
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Be clear-minded and alert! Your enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
1 Peter 5:8

A call for resistance.

As intimacy increases, control, communication and purpose collapses. 

Keep dating holy and pure.

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Treat younger women as sisters in absolute purity.

1 Timothy 5:1-2

Weapons of mass reflection.

1. How have you chosen to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin in this last week?

2. What have you done in the last week for your present comfort and/or security?

3. How have you chosen to be mistreated with the people of God in this last week?

4. How have you made friends / stored up treasure in heaven in the last week?

5. What are the weight/s and sin/s that are clinging closely that you need to lay aside? How are you going to do that? What needs to change?

6. What is the single obstacle/issue that is stopping you from considering vocational ministry?

7. What does the bible say about this issue?

Jesus sure was disciplined.

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Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 1:35

When it feels like freedom.

The below is a good description of what I fear most when I'm overwhelmed by stress, anxiety and frustration; when my ears become closed to the voice of reason yet very wide open to the voice of my nerves and mass emotions; when I won't give a damn about the world, truth or responsibility.

And, after the storm, amendments may need to be made, apologies may need to be said, and certain requests may need to be offered to God.

Emotions are real. Sin is real. Responsibility is real. We will have to deal with it. But thank God that Jesus died for the church that there may be support, encouragement and friendship.

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In your anger do not sin;

when you are on your beds,

search your hearts and be silent.

Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:4-5

Technical problems with God.

O: I'm finding it hard to pray or even just to focus on God through all of this.

A: That is only normal in a time like this. But even when you don't know what or how to pray, he knows what you need before you even ask — you don't even have to say a word. Keep groaning and crying out to him. 
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In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 

 Romans 8:26

"Aargghh!"

Sin is so frustrating.

Praise God that Jesus delivers us from bodies that are so prone to wander.

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Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:24-25

Looking at porn?

That makes us adulterers. And when God sees us, he would see 'sinful', 'offending' and 'criminal' clearly written across our eyeballs, ready to pronounce judgement against them. 

Yet Jesus' eyes tasted judgement in place of our eyes. 

In fact, it was not just his eyes but his whole body too.

So, being pardoned by grace, let us all the more protect our eyes lest we get enticed completely and be thrown (eyes and all) into hell.
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If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:29

Killing the pirate within.

As we look to the cross it teaches us the lordship of Christ, the grace we receive and the value of godliness.

What a joy to see this in action!

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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

In wringing and twisting pain.

Jesus is coming back—
What a beautiful thing to know.

Pondering how to split your soul?

Sometimes I forget that there is a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned. In gaining Christ and being found in him, we must die to sin—how can we live in it any longer? If we pursue treasures on earth, Jesus says it will be easier for the camel to go through the eye of a needle than for us to enter the kingdom of God.

We cannot serve two masters. Either we will hate the one and love the other, or will be devoted to the one and despise the other. We cannot serve both God and the desires of our flesh. 

Don't hide your soul in this world.

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What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Mark 8:36

Heavenly Father,

This feels like hell and (bad word) right now.

I don't know or fully understand absolutely why you are letting this happen,

But I am absolutely certain that Jesus has forgiven my sins and prepared a place for me.

Thank you for the comfort of the brothers and sisters who love me,

And for the confidence that at the end of the day Jesus will reign.

Please give me the strength, wisdom and love to persevere in steadfastness.

That even in this hell state, your glory may be revealed in me.

Amen.

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Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray.

James 5:13

Someone's apartment window. Nice.

I like the message.

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Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Osama deserves to die, yet so do we.

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Mathew 5:44-45

Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.

O: You've read it before. There's nothing new in it. So how do you keep coming back to the same book?

A: Every time I read God's word, Os, I learn something new.

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O God, from my youth you have taught me, 
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 
So even to old age and gray hairs, 
O God, do not forsake me, 
until I proclaim your might to another generation, 
your power to all those to come.

Psalm 71:17-18

Make the most of your 21st birthday party.

Proclaim Jesus.
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I give you this charge: Preach the Word.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

Imagine.

Imagine if every believer made it their ambition to suffer for the gospel.
At school, on campus, at work, at home, at church, on the streets.
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Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.. but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

2 Timothy 1:8

"ARGHHH!"

Wow, I've been so busy that I haven't even had time to think lately. Follow God's example for rest, Osmond.

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For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:11

As iron sharpens iron.

'What areas of sin are you most uncomfortable with me asking you about?'

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Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

James 5:16

3 thoughts.

1. A reminder for men:
   • God always takes first priority
   • Then, your wife/family
   • Then, your ministry
2. Being faithful to God's word has its importance but skills in teaching, inspiring, communicating, organising and time management also have their roles in good leadership. This will hit you like a train.
3. Don't be anxious, but pray. For our flesh and our hearts may fail, but may God be the strength of our hearts and our portion forever.

I've been convicted in the midst of my current responsibilities, but immensely glad that God is refining us as through fire so that our faith can become like gold.

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Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Hebrews 12:7

Don't try this.