“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)

I’ve heard it said in the past that the three greatest temptations known to man are money, sex, and power. I can see where that makes sense and clearly ties in with the scripture reference above where God makes it known how sin entered the world, and continues to do so with us even today. (Gen.3:6)

Personally speaking, I guess I can relate more to that pull that money and sex may have (lust of eyes and lust of the flesh) more so than the lust for power. I can’t say that has ever been an area, that I’m aware of, that has ever had much pull on me, so I don’t understand or relate to it as much; but clearly...it is a ‘thing’ for a lot of people. And I suppose the case could be made that the more power one has, in this world, the more the other two are easily made available to them.

We hear frequently these days how mental illness is on the rise, and the levels of anxiety that so many people are dealing with today is ‘off the charts’. Sounds similar to what Jesus said would happen in these days when ‘men’s hearts would fail them for things they saw coming on the earth’ (Luke 21:26). And let’s not forget what Jesus said could be a main culprit in hindering ‘good fruit’ being produced in our lives – the ‘cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things ‘entering in’ choked the word, and it becomes unfruitful’ (Mark 4:19). Which is why we all need to be reminded often just how important good ‘fruit’ is and better be evident in our lives. (Matt. 3:10; 7:19; Luke 13:6-9; John 15:2-6)

It seems from past postings of mine, regardless of how careful I have been to avoid coming across sounding ‘political’...some have mistakenly taken my messages to falsely conclude that I’m ‘bashing one side’ of the political spectrum and am implying that ‘voting for the other guy’ is what I am making the case for. Nothing could be further from the truth. What has been the ongoing and consistent cry from my heart is this: Anyone and everyone who considers themselves to be a follower of Jesus...better make sure that all their allegiance, devotions, love, and passion is directed into the only ‘kingdom’ that matters, and the one which will be the only one left standing, and that is God’s eternal kingdom.

And the ONLY way...anyone can enter into, let alone even ‘see’...the kingdom of God, is to undergo a ‘new birth’ to be ‘born again’, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:1-7. Bless his heart, even the well-educated Pharisee had a hard time wrapping his brain around this concept...asking...’how can these things be’ {8}? And he was the one who first approached Jesus admitting...”We know...you are a teacher from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.(2)”

Do you recall how Mary, the mother of Jesus asked a similar question when she was first approached by the angel who informed her she had been chosen to bear the Son of God (Luke 1:31)? She responded by saying that she had never been with a man...’How can this be?”(34)

The angel assured her that ‘with God, nothing will be impossible’ (37). Notice her last response: “Let it be to me according to your word (38).”

She simply ‘received the ‘Word’; she received...the Seed, for ‘The seed is the word of God’ (Luke 8:11).

That’s all one needs to do...is open one’s self to God’s word, and then let it do it’s thing. But also know that when that ‘seed is sown’, don’t be surprised when ‘external entities come immediately to snatch that word from one’s heart, lest they believe and are saved’ (Luke 8:12).

If ever there was a time...when people needed to turn to God and simply open one’s heart to Him, that time is now. He will make Himself known to you...if it’s genuine truth, peace, and yes...even lasting joy that one is yearning for, that time is now. And when He does, one would do well to turn completely and wholeheartedly to Him. There is much to learn, and quickly. Peter left us with these words:

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” (1 Peter 1:13-17)

Just know that it will be the working of the Holy Spirit who will enable and empower you to live in such a way...which is the ‘way of holiness’. That’s a fancy way of saying having one’s heart made pure, for without this purification process, no one will ‘see God’ (Heb. 12:14; Matt. 5:8)

But notice that last line there that Peter reminds us...that pertains to ‘living the rest of your time here as temporary residents’. It will be a daily effort, and even a ‘war’ at times...to set, and keep your mind and affections ‘set on those things above, and not on the earth’ (Col. 3:1-2). And what about those ‘earthly things’ that we still need to exist while we are here, temporarily residing? Jesus reminds us that our Father in heaven knows...we have need of these things...but just ‘seek first His kingdom, and these things will be added to us’ (Matt. 6:25-33)