What's Your Weakness? - From His Heart - Week of September 1, 2016

I hate to admit it, but honesty demands it.  I have a weakness when it comes to sweets.  I just love a good dessert ... and I love to run it back for round two.  I think to myself, Surely, that second piece of pie would taste even better than the first piece, especially if I add a little ice cream this time. 
 
One year, my dear friend, Louis Miori, got me a tee shirt for Christmas.  It simply said, “I Beat Anorexia.”  He still laughs over that gift.  He knows how much I like to eat and how weak I am when it comes to saying NO to the dessert menu.      
 
WHAT’S YOUR WEAKNESS?
 
Let’s face it.  Weaknesses are something none of us like … but all of us have.  Our weaknesses are not the same.  Some are weak when it comes to physical appetites and the lust of the flesh.  Still, others are weak when it comes to the issues of jealousy, anger, greed, or pride.         
 
Whatever your weakness might be, I have good news!  The Lord Jesus can sympathize with it.  He doesn’t excuse it, but He understands it because He was tempted to the nth degree “in all things as we are.”  The difference between Him and us is that He never succumbed to the temptation, not even once.   
 
Because He never sinned, He is our perfect sacrifice who made a way for us as sinners to draw near to a holy God.  He tore the veil in two when He died for us on the cross.  The throne room of heaven is wide open, and we can get close to God and receive His grace to help us in our time of need and in our area of weakness. 
 
DON’T LET THE DEVIL DECEIVE YOU
 
The devil is a master at pointing out our weaknesses and sins.  He will tell us, “You can’t come before God.  Look what you did!”  But he is a liar and the father of lies.  The truth is we can come straight to God’s throne of grace if we come with true repentance and sincere humility.  When we come that way, He will receive us, cleanse us, and pour out His grace (His undeserved favor and power) upon us to help us in our time of need.  He is a good God who knows everything about us ... and loves us still, even when we fail and fall. 
 
Let me encourage you to take time each day to thank the Lord for His everlasting love.  Make your way to the throne of grace on a regular basis.  As you do, you will find His amazing grace and sustaining power to enable you to stand strong in the trials and temptations of life.  You and I cannot make it without Him.  So, let’s quit trying, start trusting, and take God at His Word.  

P.S.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this.  Direct questions and comments to pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org.