The Biggest Lie and The Greatest Temptation

I've seen many lives cut short and destroyed in the pursuit of what the world calls the "good life."  You know what I'm talking about - wealth, fame, big houses and fancy cars, designer clothes and sparkling gems.  But if you really look at the lives of the "rich and famous," none of them are truly happy.  They have no peace, no joy, and no sense of security.

People who pursue beauty by changing outward things become ugly.

People who pursue wealth by deceitful means will lose it all.

People who pursue the favor of man by compromising their dignity will ultimately be rejected by all.

People who pursue personal gratification by mistreating others will themselves be taken advantage of and shamed.

Look at the personal lives of those who supposedly have it all and you will find just as much if not more, insecurity, fear of failure, depression, rage, bitterness, deception, and loss of identity as those of us who don't live in the spotlight.  

As human beings we were made to pursue something, to worship something with complete abandon. So the question I want to ask you is - what are you worshiping?

               Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 

                              Matthew 4:8-10

In this the third temptation of Jesus that is revealed to us, the devil comes offering to give Him all the glory and treasures of the world but Jesus refuses on the grounds that God wants to be the only thing we worship.

I remember how hard it seemed to let go of worldly things in exchange for more of God.  I wanted God's promises but I also wanted to do and have things that society convinced me I had to have.  I wanted to so desperately to be liked and accepted by the people around me.  I wanted nice things like a new car, a big house, and stylin'clothes.  I wanted a life with no worries and no problems.  But most of all - I wanted to be loved.

In my pursuit of all those things that I thought would make me feel loved, I only found misery and rejection.  I did many things that made me feel ashamed and filled me with regret.  But when I got serious about really following Jesus and putting Him in front of everything I'd always thought I had to have, my life began to change.  My heart was healed.  I was set free from guilt and condemnation.  I became happy.  It was not an overnight process but it has been a great adventure.

Living with God first in your life can heal your heart and change your life. 

It doesn't matter where you've been or what you've been through, what you've done or what you've said.  The blood of Jesus can and will wash it away and make you whole and clean.  Only He can heal your heart.  Only He can fill your body with health.  Only He can nourish you with Living waters so you will not thirst again.

Don't wait.  Call upon Him now.  Seek Him even in the darkness of grief.  Surrender all you have and all you are to Jesus. He will never leave you and never forsake you.  He loves you.  Right now, in this moment - Jesus loves you. He took away the punishment you deserve for your sins when He died on the cross.  As He hung there, Jesus saw you and thought of you and counted you worthy to be called a child of God.  Accept this gift.

You cannot earn it. Just receive it.

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We love you.

Heidirn