F4S: The hardware is, but "media" is not neutral. Let it not rip you off..especially of your victory.

Friday, September 6, 2013

The hardware is, but "media" is not neutral. Let it not rip you off..especially of your victory.

As an early morning West Coast surfer I have found that small flames of fire, in and of themselves, can be such a wonderful thing to warm shivering salty wet humanity. But you already know that they can also burn your skin or your modern glass-sided house on that sandy Strand with that multi-million dollar ocean view ..right down to the ground if you're not careful with em.

Well, let me say this.. the hardware of all media and technology is also neutral and like money or musical notes or yes, flames, can be used for good or for evil, for construction or for destruction.

Me thinks that because the Prince of the power of the air with his twisted gang of fallen angels (a third of all angels to this day..don't think any have been having baby angels) and falling humanity who are spiritually blind and literally held in his sway like wooden puppets on his strings...are the majority here in comparison to the smaller remnant who have been reborn into real life in Christ, so yes....I assert to you that today's media is not neutral as many falsely suppose. It's being used by so many and it's good to know this. 

Lead us not into temptation and grant us the victory, Lord, so we can be effective witnesses! In Christ "Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory." ~ Frederick W. Faber

"Prayer is life passionately wanting, wishing, desiring God's triumph. Prayer is life striving and toiling everywhere and always for that ultimate victory." ~ G. Campbell Morgan

Believer, you know that when you are tempted even your old fleshly nature inside would be for, would encourage towards, would even push for you to take part in the impurity of worldly media on the web etc today, so therefore we all must be extra prudent, extra (not worldly) wise, be God-fearing (having reverential awe for, minus having any confidence in our own personal strength or old nature) and be very cautious with it as we walk with Jesus.

Don't get me wrong, Americans. I am totally excited, way ampted about what's going to happen nationwide via technology and thousands of venues simultaneously with HarvestAmerica.com on September 28th and 29th ....and I am indeed planning to pray the price so to speak, and be apart of it as you also should be. Perhaps God would lead you to open up your home for this. Are you lacking significance and need something to do that is really significant? 

Yes, I am grateful for the advances and creative arts in media, and in social media, and with our cool technological communication tools that we can use to glorify the Lord with ...and use to educate, to edify, to challenge, to feed in certain ways, and even to spread the Gospel with. But still we all must be careful with "media" so as not to get corrupted by some well-intentioned but corrupt people behind it, or get addicted to it, or get re-chained-up by it..so to speak. Let's be wise and careful. Did you know that...

"Fifty nine percent of people that accidentally or intentionally see pornography in the media, including on the web and in social media, say that they do absolutely nothing to resist these temptations. And only one percent of them say this junk is there because of our old sinful nature inside." ~ E. Lutzer

It's of course it's not a sin to be tempted, but don't let that surprising image turn into a long look, in the gazing at, into a life-habit that destroys you. The same strong grace that saved you is the same grace they can keep you, that can help you be an example witness for Christ, and also help you to repeatedly resist the evil of the enemy.

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph2:1-6nkjv).

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." (1Cor15:57nkjv).

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith" (1Jn5:4nkjv).

"The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

"Take your stand on the Rock of Ages. Let death, let the judgment come: the victory is Christ's and yours through Him." ~ D.L. Moody

"When we pray for the Spirit's help… we will simply fall down at the Lord's feet in our weakness. There we will find the victory and power that comes from His love." ~ Andrew Murray

"Any battle for victory, power, and deliverance—from ourselves and from sin—which is not based constantly upon the gazing and the beholding of the Lord Jesus, with the heart and life lifted up to Him, is doomed to failure." ~ Alan Redpath

"Religion today is not transforming the people - it is being transformed by the people. It is not giving victory or raising the moral level of society - it is descending to society's own level and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smiling accepting its surrender." ~ A.W. Tozer

"How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" is the exact question that Joseph posed to an uber-lustful married woman (in Gen39:9 his boss' wife), yeah, when he was privately surprised by and confronted by sensual temptation. But what was the smart move that he didn't have to pause and pray about.. but rather made in an instant before his brain could listen to his flesh and start rationalizing? He bolted. He bailed. He ditched that wild woman (who was probably very attractive cuz money has pretty much always been able to cover up gobs of ugly underneath), running away like a fleet footed Hirsche (deer), like a well-trained Olympiad crossing the victor's tape. And that's what we need to do, as Paul said, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (See 2Tim2:22 and Prov6:5; 1Cor6:18; 10:14; 1Tim6:11).

Be careful not to get even one pinch inappropriate in those hidden SMS Texts or Social messages. If you feel like deleting those messages so that your wife won't ever see em, perhaps something is already wrong. Don't even be disloyal and sin in your spirit or heart. Sexting is of course out. Stop it, it's not for you. "But everyone is doing it!" Listen, you don't want what everyone is getting.. divorce, disease, corruption etc..do you?     

The Bible says, "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" (1Jn2:16). The Apostle Paul agrees and says, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Gal5:16).

Please know that there are people in every crowd who have not been completely fulfilled inside by social-media, by political or social improvement, or by self-improvement programs or personal affluence. 

Some people simply feel that their needs are not met..yet..but perhaps somehow, somewhere, with someone special could be.

Some sense their inner emptiness, ache and longing.

Some are hurting inside for one reason or another. Some have been dumped by job, group, lover etc. Some have failed and are broken-hearted with crushed dreams and ashes, and some simply feel lonely inside.

Some have a sense of real guilt inside—we've all blown it in some way or another—and some people sadly struggle under false guilt as well. And they don't know what to do with it all. They say No regrets as they try to ignore "being guilted" or sometimes judged by the (lost or carnal) religiously self-righteous who like to do that sorta thing.   

Many people around you and me have a universal fear of death, as well as other fears like of failure or of violence as this world grows more and more violent and turbulent. We must know this about people around us, and feel compassion for them. Christ did and does! 

Each one is so worth praying for (earnestly, thoroughly, in faith expecting)....is so worth helping out with the real Gospel Message along with all other applicable Scriptures and care. 

The negative influences of main-stream media (in different arenas), of say worldly lyrics in very popular songs, of provocative blockbuster movies, of steamy romance novels, and of social media with all its anonymity (and of course I don't mean that all of the influences coming through social media today are negativeyou know what I mean), and of your Sirius or XM radio waves or via satellite and Wifi or through those fiber optic lines into your ears…can take any of us down permanently.. if we allow it to. Don't allow it to! 

Many I've met say they can constantly take it in and not be affected by it, "You've just got to be strong in yourself and then no prob." False. Think again. 

Let's so to the Spirit and not to the flesh, or to world in a spiritually compromising way. Let's hate evil, and Mr LuCifer, and sensual lusts and sin ...and not allow any of it ever..for God has better things for us. In Him we can have hope, a hope that's valid and that won't disappoint. In Him we can have lasting satisfaction and fulfillment, but not in lust. Sure, He has a good plan for your life, as well as for those around you, and you've just got to believe that! You just gotta know Himthe real Him! Let's do it His way, not ours or the world's way. 

Lets make an impact for Christ while we still have some time. Listen, each one of those dear persons around you there...friends, spouse, kids, relatives, coworkers..watching you..are so worth us fighting for—no, not in the flesh, but in the good fight of faith. Let's live free, live in the Spirit of truth, live in love, and keep tasting victory from above. Yeah, let's get on with it for His sake and glory.  facebook.com/shareJesus   

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