Bridge to a New Beginning or to Disaster?

The events and attitudes that precede a new beginning often determine its success. Yearning for a new beginning may be prompted by someone’s unhappiness, boredom, or discontent. An exception was Moses. God intervened in his life when a new beginning wasn’t even contemplated. Another exception was the Pharaoh of Egypt, who was content using the Hebrew slaves for his construction projects.

The Egyptians would have to experience ten consecutive disasters to be convinced God meant business about freeing his people. The tenth disaster struck so hard and was so personal to all the Egyptians that compliance to God's plan appeared to be their only choice.

Pharaoh's stubbornness built a bridge to these disasters which eventually caused the death of the Egyptians’ firstborn sons. It can be difficult to trust the future completely into God's care. Even though transitions aren’t easy, God will provide whatever is required to make sure his plan for us is comprehended and brought to fruition.

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Let everyone in all the would – men, women, and children – fear the Lord and stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command! And with a breath he can scatter the plans of al the nations who oppose him, but his own plan stands forever. His intentions are the same for every generation.

~Psalm 33:8-11 The Living Bible

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Who's Your Worst Enemy?

It seems insulting that someone could be their own worst enemy. How is it possible when everything within us wants to avoid pain and suffering? Failing to pay attention to warning signs has the potential of building a bridge to disaster. Ignoring obvious pitfalls paves the way to pain and heartache.

It’s unclear whether Samson believed Delilah would betray him, but listen as she appealed to his vanity. "Tell me the secret of your strength, how you can be tied up and overpowered." Every caring person wants Samson to run for his life. Instead he took delight in her frustrations, as her continued attempts to betray him failed. 

Samson may have loved Delilah, but it was a one-way street. He was blinded by sexual passion, which gave Delilah permission to extract information leading to his capture and death. Samson disregarded God's attempts to intervene. If this is indictive of where you are, open your heart and mind to Christ Jesus and he will provide you a life that promises contentment and hope.  

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I waited patiently for the Lord’s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry. He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.

~Psalm 40:1-2 Good News Bible 

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Evil Distractions? Impulse Control Imperative!

Uncontrollable impulses and urges build a bridge to disaster and destruction. The apostle Paul warned against submitting to distractions that are unacceptable to God. He explicitly instructs us to "put to death sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed.” When the young man Shechem met teenage Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob, he became so out of control with lust and evil thoughts that he raped her.

Becoming distracted happens to everyone at some level, but it’s imperative to exercise impulse control when tempted by evil distractions. However, Shechem gave free reign to his impulsive thoughts and desires and, in doing so, committed a grievous crime.

After raping Dinah, he realized his sinful distractions would have unimaginable painful consequences. Permitting Christ Jesus to have a place of prominence in your thoughts and feelings for others will give you power for effectively managing evil impulses, regardless of their significance. "Greater is Christ Jesus who is in you than Satan who is in the world."