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Apples of Gold
Radio Script for April 15, 2009
“Please, Please Don’t Let It Be You”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
Well, I heard of two more long-time Christian couples getting divorced this week.
In both cases the husband went for the greener grass.
They were tempted, and they caved.
And I ask myself, “Why don’t I cave in to temptation?”
I guess it’s because I firmly believe James 1:17, that “…every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”
Now I’m certainly not perfect, but I keep my eyes fixed on the Lord. Yes, in a sense I have put blinders on myself. There are some things I don’t even think about. I won’t let my mind go there.
That may sound legalistic, but it’s that very attitude which has helped me avoid the big temptations that have brought down so many others.
“Lord, Your way is the best way. Your way is the only way. I can do no good without You. Without You I am nothing. I need You. I want You. I must have You working through me. Apart from You I can do nothing.”
These are the kind of thoughts that run through my head constantly.
“I am dust. A grain of sand. A vapor. What is man that You are mindful of him? Lord, I need You. Lord I crave You.”
See, I know just how badly I need the Lord. I know that there is no good thing coming my way apart from Him.
So when you know that God is perfect, and that all good gifts come from Him, and you keep your eyes fixed on Him – then when some imposter gift comes along, it just looks cheap and trashy.
Hebrews says that Jesus was tempted just like us, yet was without sin – and that qualifies Him to help us when we are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 says, “…He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Then the next verse says, “Therefore, holy brothers…fix your thoughts on Jesus…”
And Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
So remember those prayers I just told you about, the prayers that constantly run through my head? Well those prayers fit in with these verses.
I fix my thoughts on the Lord who will help me. I constantly approach the throne of grace for help.
And now get this. I don’t wait for temptation to come along and get hold of me. I don’t put the Lord on the back burner until, uh-oh, now what have I done?
And you know what? It’s paying off.
I look around at the sorrow some of my fellow men have caused their families. I look at the ex-wives they have selfishly left behind in brokenness. I look at children that are fractured because their daddy was stupid.
And trust me, I’m not so smart myself. I know just enough to know that all good things come from the Lord, so I keep coming to Him. I constantly turn to Him and away from whatever trashy thing the world is offering today.
And He has helped me. There is no brokenness or sorrow in my family. I am loving life with the wife of my youth. My children are like flowers, blooming in the light of the Lord.
Our home has a firm foundation, and that is God Himself.
So let me speak to men today, to husbands and fathers. Don’t you want a God-blessed home?
Then do not give in to temptation, and here are some tips.
First, drill it into your head that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Anything else, no matter the hype, is just cheap and trashy.
Second, fix your eyes on the Lord. Put blinders on yourself so your eyes are always on Him.
And third, constantly beat a path to the throne of grace. Jesus will help you overcome all temptation. Just let your prayers come before Him constantly, acknowledging your weakness and accepting His strength.
Yes, temptations will come. And yes, in 2009 there will be a new crop of stupid daddies shipwrecking their wives and children.
But please, please don’t let it be you.
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2009 The Arrow’s Tip
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
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