Pleasure - personal pleasure - A foothold for Satan

 Good evening all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  PLEASURE!  We, today, in our modern and "civilized" world live by pleasure.  Whether it is pleasure of the tongue from that tantalizing steak or your favorite food seasoned just perfect to make your taste buds dance with joy, we like pleasure.

  It may be that new car, wearing our new clothes, and being sporty.  It may be that praise received from the people around you for doing something well, whether it be sports, music, speaking, or just the work you do; the praise brings about an emotional response.

  We take pleasure in what we do, and this is not all bad, UNLESS, you are constantly expecting that praise or moments of elation and live for it.

  Matthew 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

  What is this saying to you? Yep, if you want reward here on earth you have received your just reward.  However, let's go on:

Matthew 6: 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

  So, what do you see here? Do not be a hypocrite and let everyone know what you have done or are doing; WHY?  Because you will be getting your reward right there.

    However, when you do it in secret God will reward you openly. We may think--but look at all I have done and I see no reward.  Don't think this way; you are on God's timetable and it will come as HE plans; if you are wanting it right now you may need to do a self examination to see where your heart and mind really are.

  Pleasure - an excellent tool for Satan as it can become our achilles heel or weak spot and Satan will attack right there. Feed me your thoughts and may you be blessed.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny