LUST

Do not be drawn away from God.

I remember a time in high school when I worked second shift at a hosiery mill to save money for my first car. I had it all picked out—it was a beautiful convertible car in buttercup with a black top. I had called the owner of the car dealership to advise I was on my way. Someone else came before I arrived and bought the car I thought I wanted. Needless to say, I bought a different car but a few weeks later the owner (who was also a good friend of our family) called to share that the car I had intended on buying caught on fire and burned up. God had saved me from something I could not see or know.

This was a spiritual lesson I learned at a young age before college. It has helped me know and understand that God goes to extreme measures to save us from harm. The Bible says:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James 1:13-15).

This Scripture says we are tempted when we are drawn away. Drawn away from what? God! Anyone can be drawn away from God. As believers in Christ Jesus, our inner man wants to do the will of God. Our hearts desire to please Him and to do what is right inside. The battle that sometimes rages within is a warning from God to make the right choice. We have freedom to make choices, but not consequences.

We all have to contend with the temptations of the flesh. As long as we live in this world, there will be a battle that rages between the spirit and the flesh. The word that is most often associated with flesh is the term “lust.” When you hear or see that word, most think of sex or immorality. The Greek meaning is “strong desire.” Simply put, the lust of the flesh is the strong desire to follow after the ways of the world, rather than after God.

Lust for money, power, and control can draw you away from God. Lust for having everything your way will also draw you away from God. Lust for being a people pleaser and not a God pleaser will destroy you. The green-eyed monster of envy and jealousy can raise its ugly head when you lust for things and use people to get them, and when you choose to hurt people on purpose.

Lust for anything that goes against the Word of God will eventually destroy you. The car I thought I wanted was not a sin—it was just that God knew it wasn’t best for me at the time.

It is acceptable to God to have desires to obtain an excellent career and education, while it is also acceptable to have a desire for success, but not at the risk of destroying others. These “wants” are acceptable and permissible as long as they line up with God’s Word and are kept in perspective. We must choose to be watchful on purpose so that none of these things draw us away from God.

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are already citizens of the kingdom of heaven and we can walk and function in this world without being subjected to it (John 17:16). God calls us to be a living sacrifice in this world—a person who is not conformed to this world, but we are to present our bodies a living, holy sacrifice, and being transformed by the renewing of our minds to the will of God.

The manifestation of God’s power is directed related to purity and holiness in the Body of Christ—His Church. God does not manifest Himself to those who are disobedient and have sin in their lives. The Holy Spirit works in us to bring us to the light of God’s Word and His ways, while Satan works without to keep us in bondage to the world and people.

But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. (James 1:14 GNTA)

Anything you gain through manipulation, deception, and control will ultimately end in disaster. Whatever or whomever you try to destroy to protect self will ultimately end in eternal disaster unless there is true repentance. You can read the account of Judas in the Bible and find out how deception and betrayal brings destruction. A story with a better ending is the account of Joseph who had brothers who sought to destroy him.

We must defeat the enemy’s schemes and choose to walk in the life of the Spirit of God, being led by Him and by His Word—if we are to be vessels of honor and power.

Don’t get into agreement with Satan or the people he is using. Stay connected to God. God does not lie. The circumstances on this earth do not bother God. He is not bound by circumstances and He is not limited to them either. God knows how to turn anything around for you. It doesn’t matter how awful things may seem, nor does it matter who has come against you. You are in the world with a Savior—His name is Jesus! Stay in God’s Word and remind the enemy that He has messed with the wrong person—a person connected to Jesus! You have the power connection with the power above ALL power, and choose to maintain a divine awareness of that connection!

You will find the most wonderful relationship with Jesus that is beyond anything you can dare think or imagine that will change your life! Dare to believe Him today and draw close to Him! Choose to walk the straight and narrow way with God—even if it feels like you are sometimes alone!

While some bridges are out in the natural due to all the recent flooding in North and South Carolina, there is ONE BRIDGE that will never go out—His name is Jesus. He is the bridge between all of mankind and God—for all who will call upon His name and receive the gift of eternal life.

With the catastrophic flooding that happened the weekend of October 2 and 3^rd, people were scurrying to buy groceries in the midst of the storm. People who had prepared for a storm were glad they didn’t have to go out in the awful weather.

Since we had to stay longer than planned in Myrtle Beach for a wedding, we also had to buy extra groceries. As I saw the panic on faces of people in Wal-Mart, I saw another warning of the flood of lies that people have bought in America. One of the employees at Wal-Mart was standing at the door and I began to talk with her while waiting. She told me she wanted to go see her sister but was afraid—and asked me this question, “Where do we turn?”

God is sending warnings for the Church to be ready—the Bride of Christ.

As a nation of people, we have only one need: to turn inwardly to God and let Him cleanse and purify us by the Cross of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, so that we may be cleansed from all the impurities that Satan has mixed into us.

The night before the wedding there was a river flowing in front of the place for the rehearsal dinner due to the flooding from Hurricane Joaquin (Hebrew meaning: “raised up by Yahweh.”). Me, Mother, and the kids walked across the road that was like a river that came halfway up our legs as we walked to the front door. We came in and talked to the owner of the Bed and Breakfast House as we tried to dry off; and the place was full. We were then seated close to the Groom who sat at the Head of the table (representative of Jesus who is coming back for His Bride).

Our Lord is referred to as The Bridegroom who comes for His bride at Midnight. (See Matthew 25:6).

With catastrophic flooding and signs of the times, it is foolish to be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and those who believe. Even though this was a wedding in the natural—right in the midst of a storm—we can rest assured that Jesus is coming back for His Bride in the midst of the storms that are raging in the world! (Matthew 25:6).

Could it be the Lord is revealing the flood of lies that people have bought across America? Could it be that God is revealing the only real life is in the River of God? Could it be that God is revealing what is most important in life?

I also found it very interesting that many of the roads were also closed going into Kiawah Island except River Road and a portion of Main Road. Some roads have now reopened but the way to Kiawah Island is on Main Road to River Road currently, which is a natural manifestation that we must choose to step into the River of God—by turning to Him.

The Andell Inn, nestled in Kiawah Island, is one of the best-kept secrets in South Carolina and provides a warm and inviting experience for all its guests. Due to the flooding, several weddings in the Charleston area were cancelled so they tried to find other venues. Some were held in homes, and one was held at the Andell Inn. The name Andell means “messenger of God” and I find it very interesting that they made room for the wedding at the charming, boutique hotel.

Miles and miles of interstates surrounding North and South Carolina were also closed due to flooding and many lost their homes while some lost their lives.

Sometimes living for the Lord is a real battle and a real fight. The enemy can’t drown you with his lies if you resist him with the Word of God. The Bible is God’s standard—a banner or flag we can wave in front of the enemy and he will leave. He can’t take the Word (James 4:7).

When Satan tempts you to be discouraged or in any other area, what do you do? Ask God for a Scriptural answer. That’s what Jesus did and He is the Master Teacher and no one knows better than Him. He quoted Scripture to the enemy—and he fled.

When the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of God will raise a standard against him (Isaiah 59: 19). Choose to bury the enemy in a flood of the Truth and put him out of action. Turn to God. The Word of God works. Baptize yourself constantly in praying Scriptures, soak yourself in the Word of God, memorize and quote God’s Promises!

Take time to watch the movies WAR ROOM, GOD’S NOT DEAD, and DO YOU BELIEVE? Choose to spend time face-to-face with family rather than communicating only through text and email. Pay attention to what really matters in life—people and eternity. You have never locked eyes with anyone that is not valuable to God. We are called to be “messengers for God” to others. Take time to share your faith and hope in the midst of the storms. 

The Andell Inn made room for the wedding and God has made room for you through Jesus Christ—the Bridge for all mankind to God!

Deborah Starczewski

THE GRACE UMBRELLA

God goes to extreme measures to make Himself known to us in small ways so we totally trust Him in the big things of life. Last week, Mother and I were in a department store and as we were about to leave, it began to rain—buckets from heaven. I knew we would get soaked if we left so we talked to a friend that works in the store. I have known the clerk for over 25 years and she said, “Deborah, we have a couple umbrellas that customers have left—and you can borrow one.” I asked her if one was a small black umbrella by Sharper Image. She said, “Yes, and the lady who borrowed it a couple weeks ago returned it today.” I had left mine in the store a couple months earlier.

Look at the extreme measures God went to make sure I got my umbrella back! God has the “sharper image” and the view from heaven. He is not caught off-guard or by surprise by anything. Trust Him today!

 What was amazing about the timing was that it was Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement on the Jewish calendar. God never ceases to amaze me how He makes Himself known. God made sure I received my umbrella back that I had inadvertently left in the store on that specific day on the calendar. God is our covering—and He covers us with mercy and grace. His banner of love is over us. God was working behind the scenes to make sure I got that umbrella back—but on a much larger scale, it represents God’s covering, and His total restoration in the process. Won’t you trust Him with everything today?

 If you are searching for God’s Will or direction in your life today regarding a decision you are facing or a certain aspect of your life, rest assured that God has a plan and purpose for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), a master plan. If you seek Him prior to making a decision instead of running ahead without His direction, God will direct your path and meet your needs. If you have run ahead of God and feel like you are in a battle, turn to Him and He will guide you—right in the middle of the storm that may seem to be raging. The Bible instructs us to seek God in all our ways and not to lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 Trust Him today! He cares greatly for you!

Deborah Starczewski