Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
We’re in our third week of our study on temptation in the youth ministry here at Morningside. Here’s one of the great devotionals from our student book from LifeWay’s Known 07 material.
If you have ever taken martial arts or self-defense class, you know there are a lot of ways to defend yourself if you need to. You learn to protect yourself and also how to stop an attacker. But, as my instructor once said, the best defense is to not be there. In some conflicts, it is sometimes better to avoid the conflict and run. The same is true in our spiritual lives as well.
Joseph knew the principle very well. Read his story in Genesis 39:7-12. What did Joseph do when faced with temptation?
Potiphar’s wife wanted to have sex with Joseph. But when temptation came, Joseph resisted because he had made up his mind where he stood. He could never betray his master and do this great evil and sin against God. When the temptation continued, he fled. He didn’t need to wait or think about it. He ran.
What is your limit? What lines have you drawn? Have you made up your mind what your standards are? What are some of your standards? Are there temptations that you are resisting, when you should really be running? In what areas of your life do you need to run? Set your standard. If you get too far – Run!
Anderson came home from school a few weeks ago and said that he wanted us to take a vacation to Washington D.C. so he could see where George Washington and Abraham Lincoln lived. We told him that they were dead…and he said, “yea, I know…I just want to see their statues.” This past weekend Anderson drew us this picture. Notice the details: the White House with two columns out front, the black limo, the American flag, even the eagle on the left. I love it. I just had to blog about it so you all could see his creativity. I guess we better go to D.C. for our vacation in June.
Saturday night Ashley and I went to a great restaurant called the Tadpole Fish Camp where Jacob Balmer and his family works. It was great. It’s been a while since I’ve gone out for seafood. It was a great date night for Ashley and I and some great food. Speaking of food, check out one of the devotionals for this week from our Known 07 curriculum by LifeWay.
Imagine a huge buffet with piles of fresh shrimp, crab legs, tender roasted prime rib, fresh steamed veggies,and trays of beautiful desserts. There’s molten chocolate cake, fresh-made ice cream, along with fresh fruits and berries.
You sit down and notice a half-eaten chicken drumstick under the table. Disgusted, you call the host to show it to him. To your surprise, he picks it up and begins to say how delicious it looks. In fact, it looks so good that you shouldn’t waste time going to the buffet line when you have a perfectly good half-eaten drumstick right here. Then he tries to convince you that the buffet line really isn’t that good. After a little while, you start to agree and decide to eat the half-eaten chicken leg from under the table. Gross!
Jesus promises a “buffet” in your life, but when you fall into temptation, it’s like wanting the half-eaten drumstick. The devil’s good at convincing you that the “buffet” is not good. God has great stuff in store for you. Don’t settle for the devil’s lies and distractions.
Be at Ignite on Wednesday to learn more about staying clear of the devils distractions and living an abundant life in Christ.
Nathan Neighbors 