Thought 241: Porn from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 241

Porn

  I have read many articles and testimonies from boys and men that have battled with this ugly monster. But let me assure you, most of the things that I have learned; any wisdom that my soul might now cling to, has come from using the gifts of my ears and eyes to listen and to read and using my mind to muse over something and consider the matter. God is the only way out of an addiction to pornography.

 God accepts me despite my failures and despite all my sins and all my miserable shortcomings. If He can accept me, one of the worst sinners, then He can accept you as well.

 If you struggle with the sin of pornography, first recognize that you cannot be free in your own strength, but the Lord’s Spirit in you can give you the power to become free. Believe—have faith—that the Lord will free you from this. It is not His will for you to stay in sin and if you are willing He will delight in helping you out.

 Read these Scriptures and stand on their promises—memorize them, know them, quote them when temptation comes: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Ephesians 5:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Psalm 24:3-4, James 1:12-16, Psalm 119:9-11, Philippians 4:13, James 4:7-8, Matthew 1:21,   Hebrews 2:17-18, 1 John 2:14, Psalm 101, Job 31:1, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, 1 Cor. 10:13

Thought 239: The Desires of Your Heart from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 239

The Desires of Your Heart

 

“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give      

thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4 KJV

  I do not believe that this Scripture is referring to your lusts and fleshly passions when it talks about the desires of your heart. If that it what it meant, God would be condoning sin! However, God does place desires in your heart for a reason. One that has really been on my heart for years is a wife: even a little boy I’ve looked forward to getting married and having a family. I don’t see God moving in this area, yet He is working. HE placed that desire in my heart for a reason, and God is never slow about carrying out His promises. As I continue to delight myself in the Lord, spend time in His presence and share His Word, I am sure that His perfect timing will fulfill every desire that is from Him. Any lustful or sinful desire; however, will be cast to the ground for sin cannot dwell in the heart of a person after God. Sin may tempt, but it cannot inhabit a vessel of the Lord for what fellowship has light with darkness, life with death; how does a good tree produce bad fruit?

Pray and then read the whole Psalm 37; as you do so be prepared to learn from the Lord.