Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 1
Monday


STRUGGLING
WITH
ADDICTION

READ:
Hebrews 4:14-16
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God is faithful.
__1 Corinthians 10:13
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Eric was struggling with an addiction, and he knew it. His friends and family members encouraged him to stop. He agreed that it would be best for his health and relationships, but he felt helpless. When others told him how they had quit their bad habits, he replied, "I'm happy for you, but I can't seem to stop! I wish I had never been tempted in the first place. I want God to take the desire away right now."
Immediate deliverance may happen for some, but most face a daily battle. While we don't always understand why the temptation doesn't go away, we can turn to God on whatever path we find ourselves. And perhaps that is the most important part of our struggle. We learn to exchange our futile efforts to change for complete dependence on God.

Jesus was tempted also, just as we are, so He understands what we're feeling (Mark 1:13). He sympathizes with our struggles (Heb. 4:15), and we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (v.16). He also uses others, including trained professionals, to lean on along the way.

Whatever battles we may be facing today, we know this__God loves us much more than we can imagine, and He is faithful to come to our assistance. __Anne Cetas

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
Read Matthew 4:1-11 about how Jesus handled
temptations. also read 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 to learn
how He can help us when we are tempted.
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We are not tempted because we are evil;
we are tempted because we are human.

********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Hebrews 4:14-16*********************************

14 Seeing then that we
have a great High Priest
who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold fast our
confession. 15 For we do not
have a High Priest who
cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all
points tempted as we are,
yet without sin. 16 Let us
therefore come boldly to
the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of
need.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The high priest in ancient Israel was the representative of the
people before God. The writer of Hebrews draws a distinction
between the high priests of Israel and Jesus, or Great High Priest,
who came and experienced life on the earth. We can approach
Him with confidence, knowing that He truly understands what we
face, for He faced it well.