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Think Noble Things of God
by Jim McGuiggan

Bible Answers.ie
An Irish Christian Resource
by Tony Coffey

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Life Communications Library

Essays
by Larry Deason

1. JESUS, MY FOCUS
2. GRACE, MY ORIENTATION
3. LOVE, MY MOTIVATION

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by Bobby Deason

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PowerPoint

You Can kick the habit!

Despite the many health warnings…despite publication of proven facts that smoking kills people…millions continue to be addicted to smoking. Fear of cancer, as strong as it is, as real as it is, does not cause many people to give up smoking. It is a special problem to the Christian because he has been warned against defiling the body which is the temple of God.
 
1 Cor 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)

Perhaps some of you who are reading this wish you could kick the smoking habit but haven't been able to in the past. And you won't be able to now unless you will it so. It takes a strong constitution and a strong will to give up this drug. Some who wanted to quit smoking tried pills, candy, eating, or some other substitute. How about trying this formula: Instead of carrying a pack of cigarettes, carry a small New Testament. Instead of reaching for a cigarette, reach for God's Word and read a scripture to take your mind off your craving for the tobacco drug. Instead of telling yourself you just can't hold off any longer, try praying for God's help to give you the will to stop.

Don't think ahead to all the days, weeks and months you have to go through to break the habit…just concentrate on that first cigarette. Just the first hour…then the next. No fanfare. In fact, why even tell anyone you have quit? They will notice in time.

This is a principle from the Bible. Put off one bad habit and put on a good habit.

Eph 4:22-28 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (NIV)

Col 3:1-10 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (NIV)

How about you? Don't you want to quit? How strong is your will? You'll never know until you give it a try. What a blessing it will be when you have kicked the habit.

The Hunter and the Bear!

As the hunter raised his rifle, the bear called out, "Can't we talk this over like two sober beings?" The hunter lowered his gun, "What's to talk over?" he asked. "Well, for instance," said the bear, coming closer, "what do you want to shoot me for?" "Simple," grunted the hunter, "I want a fur coat." "All I want is breakfast," smiled the bear. "I'm sure we can get together on this." So they sat down to work out an agreement. After awhile the bear got up, all alone; they had reached a compromise. The bear had secured his breakfast, and the hunter had on his fur coat.

There has never been any other result in the warfare between the flesh and the spirit when the spirit permits any compromise with the flesh. Sin is deceitful and will always destroy even while putting forth a pretense of fair words. The Word of God gives us only one possible course of action, "Flee."

 

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