I am ready for some college football!  My Longhorn gear is ironed and ready for the weekend.  Literally millions of dollars will be spent this Fall on game tickets, travel, hotels, etc. as with any college football season.  So what does football have to do with faith?

Simple thought really.  Less than 5 months from now, all the money and time that has been invested toward this season’s games what will be the return on the investment?  Maybe a fleeting memory will remain, but for the most part that’s it.

Today, God reminded me of the implications regarding the investment of my faith.  By faith, am I investing in what will last eternally (the Word of God and the souls of people) or is my faith simply wrapped up in that which is temporary?  I’m ready for college football but more importantly I’m ready to invest my faith like never before!

Hook’em Horns!  But MOST importantly, keep the faith!

Family Wednesdays resume tonight at West Bradenton!  I will be launching a new Bible Study series on The Gospel and articulating how the New Testament describes the Good News.
Here’s the Schedule:

5:00pm – 6:00pm • Family Meal
6:00pm • Awana (3yrs – 5th gr) Registration Begins, DIVE Room opens for students (gr 6-12)
6:15pm • Awana begins
6:30pm • DIVE begins, Midweek Connection for adults (sanctuary)
7:00pm • Worship Choir Rehearsal
7:30pm • Worship Orchestra

Can’t wait to connect with our church family tonight!

Let’s face it.  We are all tempted by the enemy!  Even though we are all tempted in different ways but the essence of the struggle is the same.  The reality of my struggle is that far too often, I throw in the towel.

I find it interesting how the ESV translates 1 Corinthians 10:13.  “No temptation has overtaken you…”  Paul is not referring to future tense, he is referring to past patterns.  I find the enemy bombards me with the same temptations repetitiously.  There is comfort in knowing that my struggle is not uncommon.  The enemy is crafty though, isn’t he?  First, he deceives us and lures us into temptation.  Then the Deceiver changes roles and becomes the Accuser.

“Look at what you’ve done!”

“How could you?”

“Who do you think you are, you can’t just walk back into church like nothing has happened!”

“You are such a hypocrite!”

It doesn’t take many accusations like this and I begin to feel defeated before the battle even begins.  God ALWAYS provides a way of escape!

Here are a few reminders…

• Stay in the Word!  God speaks powerfully through His Word.  This step helps us stay close to the Father.
• Confession is good for the soul!  I know that’s cliche.  But seriously, we must confess our sin immediately so that our intimacy with the Father can be restored.
• Find a friend!  Find someone with whom you can be vulnerable.  Share your struggles and ask them to pray for you and to challenge you to live righteously and seek out God’s way of escape in the midst of temptation.