“…The mighty God….” – Isa. 9:6
We live in a troubled world and we can’t seem to stop thinking about it. Consequently we find ourselves focusing on the fruit of the problem rather than the root. We give more thought to the situation than we do to the solution. Rather than looking at the problems, we need to be “Looking unto Jesus” ( Heb. 12:2) to keep from fainting. Our text helps us to do that. Here we see Him described as “The mighty God“. And that, dear friend, is exactly what we all need. We need Him because our needs are many. There are — Transgressions that need to be pardoned.
– Temptations that are powerful.
– Traps that are in our path.
– Trials that are pernicious.
– Tribulations that are painful.
– Troubles that are perplexing.
– Terror that prevents peace.

But we, who have a personal relationship with Christ, have a mighty God! And He has given us exceeding great and precious promises assuring us of help in time of trouble. Thinking upon them brings a great reward. For example –
– Consciousness of them procures hope.
   Our God is merciful, marvelous, magnificent, and mighty. With Him all things are possible!
– Confidence in them provides help.
   Trust in these truths moves God into action. If you don’t trust Him who is True and Faithful who will you trust?
– Considering them produces happiness.
  “…whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.”- Prov. 16:20. Nothing brings greater happiness than considering who we are and what we have in Christ. Thinking about such things should banish all fear and cause us to shout with joy unspeakable! “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”- Heb. 13:15. – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” – Matt. 6:13

Our desire for deliverance should be from all sin, not just certain sins. If you think you are safe because you have overcome a particular sin or avoided others you are mistaken. As I said, “there is some sin that you can’t resist without God’s help”. Given the right time, situation and circumstances there is some sin you cannot resist without divine help. There are some sins you haven’t committed only because you have never had the opportunity. If you did you would collapse like a house of cards. That’s why you need to pray that God will keep it from you. God not only can keep you from sin He can keep sin away from you!

However, remember this, praying to be kept safe from sin does not negate the need for other things. You must avoid bad company, watch, study the scriptures, be obedient, mortify the flesh, etc. While nothing is more important than prayer, prayer is not the only important thing. Excelling in one thing doesn’t excuse our failure in another.

The problem of temptation is everywhere, everyday, for everyone.
The power of temptation is enormous.
The prayer regarding temptation is effective.
The protection against temptation is essential.

The moment God saved me He put within my heart a desire to do what is right– to please Him. It was God given. I didn’t sit down and reason out why I should.God put the desire in me. The same is true of every Christian. There is a yearning to be like Jesus. And although the struggle is great God enables us to win. “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.” (1 Cor. 10:13).– HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” – Matt. 6:13

I can’t tell you how important prayer is. About the best thing I can do is to say what I’ve said many times–“Everything depends on prayer”. Without it we fail. This is never more true than when it comes to deliverance from evil. Many pray this after the fact, when they should have prayed before their fall. It’s better to pray to be able to resist it than to later pray to be rescued from it!

Evil is a terrible thing and does terrible things! And, in our ability, we have no power over it. You might not be tempted to any and all sins, but there is some sin you can’t resist without God’s help.

When you understand what is meant by the word “evil” you will agree with me when I say, only a fool wouldn’t want to be delivered from it. We are in constant danger because we cannot avoid temptation. You can’t lock it out or hide from it. You can isolate yourself like a monk in a monastery but you can’t lock temptation out. James 1:13-15 explains why–we are drawn away by our “own lust”.

Temptation isn’t a sin, but we are commanded to flee from it (2 Tim. 2:22). We are even told to avoid all appearance of evil. God doesn’t tempt us to do evil, but He does test us, or allow us to be tested so as to bring out the best. Although He permits us to be tempted He has promised that through Christ we can win ( Rom. 6:14). As someone said, “True holiness is the result of a battle–It is only as we fight against our own lusts and against Satan that we become holy”.

To see the seriousness of this we need to consider the word “evil”. When we understand what we need to be delivered from we will be more serious about prayer. It comes from a Greek word (poneros) that means “bad, of a bad nature or condition, wicked, or hardships causing pain and trouble”. If you knew a serial killer wanted to enter your house would you invite him in? Of course not! If you knew you house was contaminated with a deadly disease would you spend another night there? Of course not! We take every precaution possible to protect ourselves physically. Why then would we ignore the danger of evil? We are quick to pray when afflicted, but sin is far worse than afflictions. Thomas Watson said, “There is more evil in a drop of sin- than in a sea of affliction”. That being the case shouldn’t we pray, “deliver us from evil”. – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346