SUBMISSION IN THE BATTLE based on 1 Corinthians 10:11-13, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, and James 1:12-16
We are all human beings; therefore, we all struggle with temptation. Even though we might strive to not give in, when the right hook comes, we find ourselves being attracted and falling into sin. In many ways, we are just like my cat Fig who could not resist the taco meat when it was left unguarded in the middle of the kitchen! The battle for our souls and minds is very real. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, principalities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil at work in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12).
Even though we are in a battle, we don’t have to lose the battle. We can overcome sin and temptation. If we desire to become an imitator of God, we must do so. But how can we overcome temptation? What can we turn to to assist in the battle? It starts by submitting ourselves to God and resisting the devil (see James 4:7). How do we submit ourselves to God in the battle? How can we resist the devil? We can do so by following these twelve tips:
- Learn the lessons of the past (1 Corinthians 10:11). If we do not learn the lessons from the past, we are doomed to repeat it. We have been given the history and story of the people of God from creation through the early church. We have seen glimpses of their struggles, where they fell short, and how they were successful or failed. We are not better than them; let us learn from their example so we don’t repeat the same mistakes.
- Be humble and real (1 Corinthians 10:12). Paul admonishes us to be careful. Don’t view yourself more highly than you are; you might think you are standing firm, but arrogance will lead to a downfall. Rather, we need to be real, that we need Jesus, lest we fall!
- Recognize the source of temptation (James 1:13). Temptation does not come from God; rather, it comes from the evil one who plays upon the desires of our hearts. When we are in the struggle, or reap the consequences of our sin, do not blame God. Instead, recognize the evil one at work and watch what is in your heart.
- Establish spiritual boundaries (James 1:14). We all have weak points. If we know an area is a greater temptation, put safeguards in place. Have an accountability partner. Place a physical barrier to keep you from walking into that sin.
- Separate yourselves from the world (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). The world does not value the spiritual and often minimizes sin. Instead of encouraging you to live a righteous life, the world will encourage you to indulge in your passions and give into temptation. The world is not your ally, but your adversary.
- Submit and rely on God’s strength (1 Corinthians 10:13a). Although temptation is a shared human experience, we do not have to fall and give into it. Rather, God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. In other words, when we face that temptation, God is still greater and can overcome anything that comes our way. Rely on his strength when we are tempted to resist.
- Demolish strongholds and arguments (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). A stronghold is an area in our life that is resistant to God and is difficult to break. It can be anything, from an addiction to shame. But we have been given spiritual weapons to demolish those strongholds and any argument that comes against Christ. The weapons are the armor of God!
- Take your thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Temptation always starts in the mind. Whatever comes to mind, make it obedient to Christ. If the thought does not align with God or his Word or what is true, then you must discard it. Don’t hold on to it or linger on it. Adam and Eve had an opportunity to dismiss the serpent, but let him stick around–and it cost them dearly!
- Look for God’s escape valve (1 Corinthians 10:13b). God will provide a way of escape so we don’t have to be crushed by the weight of temptation. If we do not take it and instead give in, we will reap the consequences.
- Don’t minimize sin (James 1:15). Many sins might seem insignificant, like a white lie. But sin that is fully grown leads to death in every sphere–physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Don’t buy the lie of justification, believing sin is not a big deal.
- Don’t think you can overcome on your own (James 1:16). If we could overcome it on our own, we would not need a Savior! But Jesus came and died for our sins so we have a path to God. It also means that he is with us in our struggle against sin, providing us the strength to overcome.
- Persevere through the trial (James 1:12). The battle is tough. But if we do not give up, we will receive the crown of life. If you mess up, get back up again. God’s grace covers a multitude of sins!
Questions for Reflection
1) Is there a specific temptation you have struggled with all your life?
2) What boundaries have you established to keep you from falling into sin?
3) What arguments and thoughts need to be made captive today? What strongholds need to break?
4) What is your attitude toward sin? Do you see it as a big deal?
5) What lessons do you need to learn? Where do you need to be honest before God?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will start the study in the discipline of service with the sermon titled, “Heart of Worship”, based on Micah 6:6-8. How is service connected to worship? Why is service so important to God and our faith? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for September 26 – October 2
September 26: Leviticus 26:14-46 What are the consequences of a lack of submission?
September 27: Numbers 16 What were the consequences of a lack of submission?
September 28: Judges 16 What was the consequence of Samson’s lack of submission to God and compromise with the world?
September 29: 1 Samuel 4:1-11 What were the consequences for the lack of submission to God?
September 30: 2 Kings 19 What were the consequences of Hezekiah’s act of submission?
October 1: Matthew 4:23-25 How did Jesus’ acts of service impact lives?
October 2: Matthew 5:13-16 How does service impact lives?
This Week’s Events:
Saturday, September 30–Men’s Fellowship Breakfast @ Thomas House, 7:15 am
Sunday, October 1–First Sunday Breakfast @ 8:45 am
Sunday, October 1–Worship Team Meeting @ 12 pm
Monday, October 2–Timothy Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, October 8–Love Feast
Saturday, October 14–Fall Festival, 9 am – 12 pm
Sunday, October 22–Congregational Business Meeting & Chili Cook Off after church
Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4–Beaver Creek Cares
Announcements:
Submission– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
Submission is the discipline of bringing and ordering our lives fully under the mission of God. This week, we will intentionally take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
Every evening, take about ten minutes of quiet time. Do your very best to be silent and drown out all voices. Almost all of us will find it an impossible task! After those ten minutes, I want you to write down every thought that came to mind that you can remember. Those thoughts are what occupy the deepest recesses of your mind. Then, I want you to pray through each of those thoughts and compare them to the armor of God. Is the thought true? Does the thought lead to righteousness? Does the thought bring you peace? Does the thought increase your faith? Does the thought challenge salvation? Does the thought stand up to the Word of God? If you answered no to all of those questions, then those are the thoughts to take captive!
Once you have identified those thoughts, I would like you to pray and directly name that thought to the Lord. Identify why that thought needs to be captured. Ask God to release you from it. If the same thought returns the next day, do it again. If it continues, ask someone to pray with you and keep you accountable until it is fully released.
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office or leave in the offering plate your birth date so we do not miss anyone!
CALL FOR CANDY
Our Fall Festival is slated for Saturday, October 14. As the date approaches, we will have a call for volunteers for the specific stations again. But for now, we need candy! We use the fun-sized, trick-or-treat-sized pieces of candy for the prizes for the games. We need both chocolate and non-chocolate options. A box will be placed in the narthex of the church. Please bring some donations of candy and place them in the box. The more we have, the more we can bless the children of our community! We need approximately 5000 pieces of candy! To date, we have only received about 1500 pieces.
Fall Festival
Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 14 from 10 am until 1 pm. Several of you volunteered last year to help with food and/or games, and several of you have already spoken with someone from the Outreach Team. If you would like to help (set up, games, food, clean up), please let me know or call the office with the area you would like to help in. We also would love some donations of snack cakes (Little Debbies, Hostess, etc.).
We need as many people as possible to know! I have attached the flyer for the event. Share it with your friends and neighbors–especially if they have young children!
Social Media
Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so as many people can hear what is going on at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/
Love Feast
Our next Love Feast will take place on Sunday, October 8. Details will be coming soon!
Chili, Soup, & Dessert Cook-off and Council Meeting
Our next council meeting will take place on Sunday, October 22 after church. We will start with the chili, soup, and dessert cook-off. Then, we will have our meeting and announce the winners at the end. In the narthex and attached to this email are two proposed changes to our Constitution and Bylaws. Please read over them carefully!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Phyllis Simmons (children’s story) if you want to serve.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY
There is no children’s church this Sunday. It will resume the following Sunday, October 8.
Call to Prayer
Let us continue to pray for our nation in the following ways:
1) National return to God
2) Repentance of personal sin
3) Repentance of corporate sin
4) Healing for the brokenness of relationships
5) Our leaders
6) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
Idea Box!
What do you want to see at Beaver Creek? What are some ideas you have for the long-term growth of our congregation? Any outrageous outreach ideas? Please either email Pastor Ryan or write them down and place them in the brown suggestion box in the narthex. Dream big!
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour and church hour. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!
Sight & Sound Interest
The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. We have had several express interest and are trying to the best package for us as a church body. If you are interested and would like to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe to the church office
2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving
4) Place in the offering plate on Sunday!
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller & Carolyn Wine
Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth and Tami Plaugher’s friend Vicki as they both are wrestling with cancer.
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Deanne Dastoli (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
Bill Eckard (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Reba Kline (recovery)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Ruth Luce (health)–Deb Hoover’s mother
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (recovery)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Roger Simmons (surgery)
Crystal Smith (health)
Norma Suter (recovery)
Kenny Wheelbarger (injury)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Cindy Wittig (health)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church
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