24 And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Mark 10:24-26
All Bible verses taken from the NASB
I feel out of place as I start to write this message for today. It seems so long ago I did this and now that I am back for the first day it seems hard to get going. So enough of that, let's dig right into the message for today and that is TV itself. You can control what you watch right? Well in part that is true, but there is a part that is not. I will give examples of this; you can watch a TV show about how something is made but cannot control the ads and other stuff around it. You can watch a show about golf or football but cannot control what is surrounding it. Even ads today are becoming riskier and that is during the day. Anything that you see can be a trigger for you to be led down the wrong path.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 when you see something that can cause to be led away from Jesus do not conform to it instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind In Jesus. You can control watch you specifically watch, but you cannot control what is around what you watch. even though you cannot control the surrounding stuff you can control what you do with it. Many will stumble over them, Then they will fall and be broken; They will be snared and caught. Isaiah 8:15. You can create boundaries around the surrounding things you cannot control, you can pray during those moments. you can do whatever it takes for you to not be led down a path further away from Jesus, so you do not stumble like the verses says.
This is what the Lord of armies says: “Behold, evil is going out From nation to nation, And a great storm is being stirred up From the remotest parts of the earth. Jeremiah 25:32. There will always be evil, it will always try to stir up and be made know. But it is what we do with evil that comes our way the defines us as we are. So, things on your TV will come that you cannot control but it is what you do with it that will define you as a Christian. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Mark10:25. This can be said of anything you want to put there instead of a rich person.
This all boils down to that there is a lot of good things on our TV, and we should seek those things but in the midst of that is snares and we need to be ready for them, so we don't get led father away from Jesus. So, stay strong and be careful, for evil is there just waiting for you but you know that Jesus is with you fighting the battles you cannot see. just keep praying and never cease from Jesus and His message.
All bible verses taken from the NASB
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:12-16
All Bible verses taken from NKJV
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. Philippians 1:27-30
All Bible verses taken from NKJV
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. Philippians 1:19-26
All Bible Verses taken from NKJV
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11
All Bible verses taken from NKJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20
All Bible verses taken from NKJV
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:15-21
All Bible verses taken from NKJV
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:1-7
All Bible verse taken from NKJV
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended” —what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:1-24
Due to circumstances all that will be posted today are these great Bible verse. If circumstances change I will continue the series tomorrow
All Bible are taken from the NKJV
15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject prophecies, 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22
All Bible verses taken from the NASB
Do you justify what you watch on your TV?
Do you watch things that are unholy intentionally or unintentionally?
Is what you watch holy or unholy or is it neutral? an example of neutral is the weather.
Do you need to get out of the way, so Jesus can do a work in what you watch on your TV?
Do you need to create boundaries surrounding your TV, so you do not stumble, or it become a stumbling block?
Are you lying to yourself about what you do on your TV?
These are the questions that I asked yesterday for you to think about and then answer them. So, what did you find out after answer the questions for yourself? Do you justify, lie to yourself, do you stumble, watch unholy things unintentionally or intentionally on your TV. These questions were not meant make you feel bad or to scold you but to make you understand what you do on your TV. But He led His own people out like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock; Psalms 78:52. Jesus does not do things to scold you are to make you feel bad but to guide you and to help you realize that what you are doing is not of Him. Jesus does not correct you but help you to realize that what you are doing is holy or unholy. Jesus is not a God of correction but of helping and guiding you to His Path and all His ways. Make me know Your ways, Lord; Teach me Your paths. Psalms 25:4.
With that being said, did these questions help you to understand what you do on your TV? If I took these questions 5 or 6 years my answer would look very very different that they do today. My answers are not shared here so all can see but they are answered and not shown for me to know and help me, just like your answer are not here for display but are there to help you. I needed to get out of the way so Jesus could do His work in what I watch on my TV. Now I do not justify, lie and try not to create stumbling blocks as it pertains to TV (Anything can be a stumbling block). I tell you all this so that you know that I do it too and not just not have you do it. We are in this together. I need the things I talked about here just as much as you do. This is all for you to be led to glorify Jesus. But I am here to tell you I need to be led just as much as you do. I am not some holy person who is perfect and knows all but I am going through the same things you do in your walk with Jesus.
So, with the answer you had from the questions above, do you need to make adjustments in what you watch, or do you need to get out of the way for Jesus to work in what you watch on your TV. Whatever it is pray for it and create ways and boundaries surrounding your TV today.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jesus you are the Great I Am
I praise You and thank You for being that person to me
Jesus, I pray today for me to get out of the way, so You can work on me in what I watch on my TV
That You would protect and guide me on my TV
Thank You and praise You again for this and for everything you do for me
In Jesus Name
Amen
All Bible verses taken from the NASB
19 And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘The Lord says this: “In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick up your blood, yours as well.”'" 20 Then Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, enemy of mine?” And he answered, “I have found you, because you have given yourself over to do evil in the sight of the Lord. 21 Behold, I am bringing disaster upon you, and I will utterly sweep you away, and will eliminate from Ahab every male, both bond and free in Israel; 1 Kings 21:19-21
All Bible verses taken from the NASB
Yesterday I talked about other people being a pitfall in terms of TV. Today I will talk about ourselves being the pitfall. Then Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, enemy of mine?” And he answered, “I have found you, because you have given yourself over to do evil in the sight of the Lord. 1 Kings 21:20. We are our own worst enemy most of the time, it can be other people or other things but most of the time it is own mind and body that cause us to sin. We have a choice to what we do on our TVs. People can physically make you do but for the sake of this discussion we will not go there. A remote sitting does not turn on by itself and turn to something that is not holy. A remote unto itself is not something that is evil or used for evil but only by an action can be it be used for evil or for Good.
We wrestle everyday with good versus evil. This is no different on our own TVs. As I have said we have the choice what we do on our TVs to something that lift up the Name of Jesus or the choice to turn and do evil things on our TVs. The choice is yours, that is why we our own worst enemy because we can explain it away to ourselves, or justify why we need to do it, or we just go to the edge, and we end up in the thick of it. No matter how you look at it all leads to us being destroyed or destruction. So, he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his own destruction. 2 Chronicles 22:4. There is so much evil that surrounds us in this wicked world that it is hard not to see it and be tempted to go down that path and follow it, but it will lead to our destruction.
On our TVs there us a lot of things that are unholy. We choose what to do with those unholy things to seek them or to seek Jesus. I keep asking that in different ways so it will sink into your brain.
Today I want you to take time to ask yourself these questions and answer them truthfully.
Do you justify what you watch on your TV?
Do you watch things that are unholy intentionally or unintentionally?
Is what you watch holy or unholy or is it neutral? an example of neutral is the weather.
Do you need to get out of the way, so Jesus can do a work in what you watch on your TV?
Do you need to create boundaries surrounding your TV, so you do not stumble, or it become a stumbling block?
Are you lying to yourself about what you do on your TV?
Think about these things, answer them, and tomorrow we will discuss these question.
All Bible verses taken from the NASB