Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - More Than We Bargain For

     Sonny the cat got more than he bargained for this morning.  The red mylar "I Love You" balloon Tom gave me for Valentine's Day is finally drifting low enough to waggle its ribbon in front of our cat's weak eyes and he can't resist that skinny, limp strand dangling in mid-air just waiting to be attacked.  So he pounces, slapping and trapping the thin strip between his claws and trying to hang on to it.  All he can see is the ribbon while the balloon hovers silently above him.  However, on one or two attacks the string wrapped around Sonny's claw and when the cat ran, something big and noisy chased him and it didn't stop until Sonny let go.
     Satan dangles harmless looking ribbons in front of us every day.  We see the ribbon and think we're seeing everything there is so we pounce. Maybe it's all fun and games for a little while, but at some point we get more than we bargained for and we're running terrified at what we've brought down on ourselves.  Or, maybe we enjoy living on the edge and just haven't decided to let go yet.

     "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, 

and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." 

1 Timothy 6:9

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; 

but God is faithful, 

Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, 

but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, 

that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

"When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD."

Proverbs 19:3

Lord, You know what ribbons Satan will dangle in front of us today.  You know our weaknesses better than we do. Strengthen us to pass the temptations, knowing there's always a hidden cost. Pour Your Word and Wisdom into us. Forgive us when we ignore You then blaming You for allowing consequences of our decisions to fall in place. 

     You bring Joy and You'll provide all the thrills we can handle. Your Goodness and Mercy follow us.  Lord, satisfy our hearts with Your love and thank You for spiritual armor and power to fight off or escape from every temptation and trap Satan sets.  We put our hands in Yours today and wherever You lead, we'll go.

In the Name of Jesus Who told His disciples to 

"Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”  Matthew 26:41