Bait of Satan devotional for the week of April 27

******Make sure you rsvp to this email or 964-3304 ext. 1129 by May 10th if you plan to join us on our annual kayak/canoe trip Saturday May 16 ....leaving Billtown at 9:30am and returning 4:30pm. Tom needs to make reservations with the outfitters there. It'll be a super great time!!!! Pray for good weather.*******

"Grace is Given to the Humble" read I Peter 5:5 and Phil.3:3

Be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Read pages 88-92 and pages 218-219 (Bait of Satan)

We have been studying the life of Simon Peter and his struggle with pride. After his denial of Christ, he had lost his natural confidence and let humility become part of his character. Humility is a prerequisite in order to be used of God and necessary for the grace of God to flow through us freely.

Trials and testing in life will bring to light what is truly in our heart. Our reaction and attitude will show if we pass the test of humility and consequently allow our roots to shoot down deeper, stabilizing us and our future. Failure to pass the test leaves us offended and defiled with bitterness.

Think about this:

The author states...."Christians who experience hurts and disappointments often become offended with the Lord because they believe He should give them special considerations for all that they have done for Him. They are serving Him for the wrong reasaons. We should not serve the Lord for WHAT HE CAN DO, but rather for WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE FOR US."

Are you serving the Lord out of pride, self-confidence, or the hope that He will reward you for your service with material things or an easy life? OR Are you rooted and grounded in knowing that God would never do anything to harm or destroy you, and whatever He does or does not do in your life is in your best interest. If you know this, then you will give yourself freely to Him, lay your life down for Him, and cannot be offended because you are not your own. Can you say: "I trust You, God even though I don't understand." Read Hebrews 11:35-39 and you will be reminded of those who never saw the fulfillment of their promises from God and still did not waver.

complete these sentences:

My motivation for serving Christ is__________.

My confidence rests in _________________.

The reward I expect from Him is _____________________.

Search my heart oh God!

See you Thursday at Source,

Becky

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