The end of the year

It is the end of the year and everything is slowing down in a sense. Today I was truly blessed with a sermon that cut open some truths I have never thought about. Especially during the festive season there are quite a few things that should keep track of in order to get the most out of our holidays.

 

When we look at scripture it is evident that all of us will have times in our life when all does not go according to plan. Times when we feel that we are provoked more then normal, or where we cannot break through. Jesus himself went through a time when he was in the desert for 40 days and being provoked by the devil... This is in Matthew 4:3, 6 and 8.

 

Verse 3: The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

 

Verse 5 and 6: Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

 

Verse 8: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

 

In these 3 verses the devil comes and tempts Jesus in order for Him to sin. Jesus never fell for the temptation, but we often do. Also, in these 3 temptations lies all sin... Let's have a closer look:

 

Verse 3: Pleasure

Verse 6: Position

Verse 8: Possession

 

We often sin in order to gain pleasure. To have fun we do things we should not, or we hurt others, etc. For our own pleasure, we sin... We turn rocks into bread so that we can eat, drink and be happy, but it does not fall within the will of God at the time. More tomorrow.

 

We also sin because we are in a position of power, or to gain position. To gain the worlds eyes on us, to get attention from people. We increase our might over people.

 

Lastly, and I think this takes place most of the time, is to increase our possessions. We want more and more and will do a lot to get it. We gather up this, that and the other and won't let go. Some will even kill in order to get more, or to protect their earthly possessions...

 

It happens to all of us at some stage or the other. We put ourselves in the wrong place. Let's dwell on this during the coming week and seek God's will for us in every situation.

 

http://rudolf-rautenbach.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-end-of-year.html