Last night's message was titled R.U.N. (Retreat Unreservedly Now), and it's about how God has not called us to FLIGHT temptation, but rather to FLEE temptation. The enemy uses temptation to lure us down paths that kill, steal, & destroy our calling, our potential to glorify God, and our very lives. We are drawn towards temptation so when we try to fight it we end up prolonging our exposure to it and like the Tractor Beam in Star Wars it sucks us in to our demise. God's Word tells us to RESIST the devil, but not temptation... we are told over & over again to FLEE or RUN from temptation like Joseph did when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him (Gen 39). But the more we stand and gaze at temptation, like Adam & Eve did (Gen 3) or King David did with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), then we guarantee our defeat. James 1:14,15 shows the progression of this process is that temptation lures & entices our own desires (cravings or fleshly appetites), desire gives birth to sin, sin grows, and sin goes on to bring forth death. Our only way to guarantee victory from this death spiral is to R.U.N. (1 Cor 6:18; 1 Cor 10:13-14; 2 Tim 2:22; Matt 26:41; Prov 7) as soon as our flesh is exposed to the enticement. R.U.N. as fast as you can away from death and towards the fullness of life in Jesus =)
After the message the youth pastor - Jarius Hodges - gave a very compelling salvation invitation. Glory to God, 1 girl received Christ last night and about 10 more youth rededicated their lives to Jesus!! Praise God!!
I go back tonight to speak to the high school youth group.
