Choosing the Word of God over our fleshly desires when there is a conflict.
Only God can make it possible for us to do this.
I Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, WHO will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
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Comments by Joan Boney:
I became a football fan after moving to Dallas,Texas, in 1960.
God caused me to be a born again Christian in 1975.
During the time God was training me to do the work of the ministries to which I am called by HIM (1975-1980), there were a few things I was impressed "not to do." I did not do these things during the 5 years God was teaching me: (1975-1980)
- Do not attend football games.
- Do not read secular books or religious books. (God wanted me to learn my religion from HIM. ) Just read Bible: Old and New Testaments. And let God set my doctrine by the Holy Scriptures.
- Do not attend movies or plays.
- Do not watch TV.
God wanted total concentration from me.
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During that time, I went on a buying trip to purchase merchandise for my shop in American Indian Arts. My Mother and Dad met me in New Mexico to take me out to the Indian reservations where I bought jewelry and pottery for my shop.
As we were riding along to the reservations, someone mentioned a man named "Jimmy Carter." I said, "Who is Jimmy Carter?" They were very shocked! Jimmy Carter had just been elected President of the United States.
(I had never heard of him before this point in time.)
There was a very strong call of God on my life.
After I was born again, I was transported into heaven twice in the night as I slept. At that time, I was with God and with Christ and with the Holy Spirit. (no physical images just an experience in Spirit.) Both times, I was merged into the body of Jesus, made one with the Word of God, God and the Holy Spirit witnessing.
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There are many areas where people seek vain glory:
* Sporting events
* Games, such as bridge
* Clothing: Physical attire
* Houses, cars, properties
* Education: especially higher degrees
This past year, I decided to stop being "a football fan". My goal was to live in peace and I felt disturbed by being a fan.
Fans get upset over losing their good coaches and players to another team.
Injuries can keep their team from winning.
I see the pursuit of all this as conflicting from my goal to live in peace, without spot, and blameless as Peter said to do as we wait for the return of Jesus. 2 Peter 3:14
When your team fails to make the playoffs year after year for 40 or more years, you often wonder about all that you are choosing to put yourself through.
For me, it also came into conflict with my goals as I set by the Bible: to live in peace, without spot, and blameless.
So I quit being a fan.
I Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I asked God for help! and God helped me.
But I recognize a danger: My team fired the coach. There is a coach they interviewed who is really "big-time" and could cause them to win again. Winning is the problem!
So I prayed for God to work this out and make a way of escape for me! I see it as only with God's help can I overcome.
If you have any temptation at this point in your life, your hope must be God and the way of escape HE makes for you. But also you must choose to take that way of escape.
Mt. 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
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