Don't Dance with the Devil! - Part 3

Doing good doesn't come easy even when we are committed to do so from the depths of our heart. Jesus never varied from the path of righteousness, but he had to dodge taking the easy, less obstructed pathway. Jim Grace’s book Quarantine speaks of Satan's attempt to pull Jesus away from what he knew was God's plan for himself. Satan obstructs the way to heaven with evil allurements.

Jim Grace said, "God's cushioned finger would take Jesus by the elbow and ease him from the devil's grasp with his word."  Satan's business is to make temptation look sweet, but once stung by temptation and sin, escape is possible only by God's grace. The sting may go on indefinitely, but we manage the sting by knowing God’s grace is greater than all our sins.

Jesus said, "Wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction." God stands ready to take us by the elbow and hand and help us back onto the straight way. This is our hope.  
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To coordinate with KHCB’s “Five Days of Christmas” programming, I will post special Christmas thoughts on my blog Wednesday-Sunday, December 21-25. On those days, KHCB will air only Christmas music and short thoughts from the programmers.

On Monday, December 26, my blog posts again will coordinate with the radio broadcast schedule of Attitudes/Answers that airs at 5:45 PM on KHCB radio at 105.7FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, and FL, you may click on the KHCB link in the "About Me" section of this page.

Power Struggles: Choose to Step Back - Part 3

A good friend related a story about someone he had known all his life.  His friend left his job and family never to return. He described his friend as having a chink in his armor. This means a crack or narrow opening in his character that made him vulnerable to impulsive, hurtful decisions. Imperfections can result in disaster if we allow them to go unchecked.

Chinks in the armor permit power struggles to threaten a relationship because they're often expressed in defensive and protective behaviors. However God is faithful to provide ways to escape from succumbing to imperfections and unwanted consequences that may surely be disastrous for us and others.

How do you accomplish what might appear impossible? God's armor does not have chinks in it. Jesus withstood Satan's temptations with the armor of God's word. Then St. Paul instructs you to pray in the Spirit on every occasion. This means depending on the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide you. This is a choice only you can make, so be receptive to God's provisions.