Lead Us not into Temptation - Pastor’s Heart

Hi Folks!

How is your 2006 going? I'm excited about 2006 as it will be the greatest year for the Body of Christ since the early days of it's formation 2000 years ago. There is an anointing that each of us can tap into to do the work He has called us to do, as we live our lives for Him in these last days. That's what it's all about... Him! We are not our own any longer to live just any old how we feel like it. We have been bought with a high price, the costly sacrifice of the Son of God Himself.

No greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. John 15:13.

This is what the Master did for you and I, and not just for us only but for every single soul in the entire human race! What a mighty Saviour we have and He deserves all we are capable of giving Him and more. Surely He is the best thing that has ever happened to anybody and without Him we would indeed perish. He deserves our very best so let's decide that this is what we will give Him this year - our best. May 2006 be your best year ever as you live your life for Him - to His eternal glory amen.

I will continue on with the last couple of teachings from the Lord's Prayer series I was doing last year. It has been months since I finished teaching this in Church so please forgive me for taking so long to get it down on paper. Life has been very busy - but fruitful nonetheless. We have moved onto other things through the beginning of this year about His Prosperous Life. I believe these truths are necessary to grasp as we move into the final days before the return of our Lord. We must be in position and we must be living in His divine provision if we are to accomplish together the huge task ahead of us of reaping the precious fruit of the earth. Jesus could come at any time and are you ready?

You will notice Jesus taught us that we should ask the Father to lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (this would include all the evil that comes along with him). Folks just think about that statement... all evil. "All" is a very big word. It leaves nothing out does it? Our God is willing to get involved in our lives and protect us from all evil - praise God that's an awesome promise from our God who cannot lie! He is more that capable of protecting each of His children from every foul demon and every evil thing that tries to come upon us from this cursed world, as we continue to put our faith and trust in Him.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles... Many are the afflictions (troubles and trials) of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17, 19.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you... Psalm 91:1-3a

Our Father God is a mighty deliverer and this is good news to you and I. The times we are in are dangerous and they will only get worse as we head towards the tribulation. But you and I don't need to be afraid as we have a secret place in the presence of our mighty God that will keep us from the evil one (and all the evil that is associated with him). He is not only capable of keeping us from all evil, but also from the temptations that are coming upon the world, that are ensnaring many. We are to walk as our Master walked when He was on earth - unharmed by evil.

Why are we not seeing this in the Church as we should then you may ask? Of course there would be many reasons such as people being ignorant of God's ways, laziness, disobedience and sin to name a few. But I believe the Lord gave us a vital key in His model prayer just before we were asked to pray for His deliverance and protection... "forgiveness". There is a lot of unforgiveness going on in the Body of Christ that is in direct opposition to keeping His command of love. Jesus instructed His people to ask for forgiveness in this way... forgive us our sins "as" we forgive those that have sinned against us. We will be forgiven just like we forgive. If we refuse to forgive another, for any reason whatsoever, then we forfeit our own right to be forgiven by the Lord. If we will not forgive then neither will He forgive us. If we refuse to show mercy to another, then we will not be able to receive the mercy we so greatly need from God. I know this may sound a little harsh to some of you but it is written. We have been born of Love and it's our Christian duty to love - no matter what the cost it may seem to ourselves. Just keep reading straight after the Lord's Prayer.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:14-15

and other such verses as this one

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26

As I said in the last Ps Heart message, forgiveness is the very foundation to Christianity. God was willing to send His Son as a sacrifice for our sins and forgive us even when we didn't deserve it, and before we even knew to ask for it. Salvation to you and I was a free gift which we didn't earn. We just received it by faith. But after we are saved it will now cost us our life to serve Him as we ought. Since you and I have been forgiven of a multitude of sins we committed against the Lord, isn't it right that we forgive a brother or sister, or family member of a trespass they may have committed against us - no matter how vile? Yes it is. It would be unjust of you and I if we were to believe that we could be forgiven of all of our sins and then go and hold one or two things against someone who has wronged us. We are all deserving of the lake of fire by our own righteous acts. Grace came to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and the least we can do for Him is love those for whom He came and died for.

Our God is faithful and He will keep His end of the covenant with us and show us His great deliverance as we do our part and follow the method our Saviour taught us through His prayer. If you and I will stick to the "love walk", we will see the Lord lead us away from temptation and deliver us from all evil. Let me close with these mighty promises from the Lord (my words in brackets).

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (in the love walk). And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. John 10:27-29

God bless you!

David

Dear people. We hope these Pastor's Heart messages have been a blessing to you. Please feel welcome to email us at any time with feedback. Any questions you might ask we will endeavour to answer if we can. email@livingwordfellowship.com.au

To subscribe or unsubcribe please email us, email@livingwordfellowship.com.au

Previous Pastor's Heart messages can be viewed on our website
www.livingwordfellowship.com.au