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Welcome to Week #7  of the Dreamers Series

If you missed a previous week you can find them by clicking on the pictures below: 

      

 

 

 

 


Living a life of Integrity when Temptation Lurks

Dreamers Series

 

My sister and I were standing at the front of the store looking at all the candy and gum waiting for my mom to finish grocery shopping. When my mom came to the front to pay, I presented her with the gum I had chosen.

 

“No, Debbie, we are not getting gum today. Go put it back,” my mom replied.

 

I hung my head as I began to pout and made my way slowly to return the gum to where it would belong.  It was not premeditated.  I didn’t even think about it, it just happened.  I walked around the corner to where I should have put the gum back and instead slipped it into the pocket of my pants.

 

I am not sure if my sister made her request of candy or gum and was told no as well because I was so focused on being told no myself and then instantly succumbed to the temptation to steal.  I was 5 or 6 and, in all honesty, I didn’t know what stealing was until that day.  Upon arriving at our car, while my mom put the groceries in the trunk, my sister and I climbed into the back seat awaiting our moms help to buckle our seatbelts. I had wrestled the gum out of my pocket and was trying to unwrap the wrapper from a piece double-bubble-bubble-gum when my mom’s horror raised voice broke my concentration.

 

“Debbie Lynn!” she screamed “Just what do you think you are doing?”

 

I am not entirely certain what my response was, but I do vividly remember being told I was going to march myself into the store and tell the manager what I had done and see what he had to say about it.

 

I got a lesson that day in integrity and learned the hard way that stealing was a sin and had severe consequences.

 

The older I get the more I fully understand that the enemy indeed lurks all around.  He is looking to pounce and is often relentless in his pursuit to lure us into temptation.

 

In my book: The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement,” I wrote the following:

“A healthy heart condition is essential to serve God. God has a plan and a purpose that will be accomplished. Very few people in ministry set out to corrupt. Once the door is opened, the enemy swoops in and perverts the gift God has given us. He will use jealousy. He will use the desire for recognition. He will use the love of money. He will use whatever he can to attack us. I’ve heard leaders say there are three paths to the downfall: gold, glory and girls. In today’s lingo, we would probably call it the love of money, power and sex. An oversimplification perhaps, but absolutely true.”[1]

 

#God calls us to live a life on #integrity even when temptation lurks. Share on X

 

It is so important for every believer not just leaders, pastors and teachers to be on alert and have our eyes open.  God calls us to live a life of integrity even when temptation lurks. It is through this process our character is developed and God can entrust us with more. This is evident in the life of Joseph.

 

After a while, his master’s wife began watching him, and she tried to seduce him.

Potiphar’s Wife: Come. Sleep with me.

But Joseph refused.

Joseph (to Potiphar’s wife): Look, please don’t take offense, but with me in charge, my master has no concerns for anything that goes on in his house. He has trusted me with everything he has. He hasn’t treated me like I am any less than he is, and he hasn’t kept anything from me—except, of course, for you because you are his wife. Why would I do something so clearly wrong and sin so blatantly against God?

Joseph’s refusal to have sex with Potiphar’s wife demonstrates how God wants His people to act. How different he is compared to Judah and Reuben!

Although she pursued him day after day, Joseph would not consent to sleep with her and refused to be alone with her. One day, however, when he went into the house to do his work while no one else was in the house, she grabbed him by his clothes and tried again to seduce him.

Potiphar’s Wife: Come on. Sleep with me.

But Joseph ran outside away from her, as far and as fast as he could, leaving her holding his clothes in her hand. When she realized he rejected her again and she had his clothes in her hand, she called out to the other servants of her household.

Potiphar’s Wife: See here! My husband brought this Hebrew into our house to take advantage of us! He came to me and wanted to sleep with me. I screamed as loudly as I could, and when he heard me yell, he dropped his clothes here beside me and ran outside. (Genesis 39:7-15 The Voice)

 

 

As I read this passage of Scripture, there are several things I noticed that we need to be aware of.

 

  1. When God’s favor rests upon us and blesses us – we still need to be mindful of the enemy’s traps and seductions.

 

The favor of God was evident on Joseph’s life, everyone saw it.  God’s favor brought Joseph to the attention of Potiphar who trusted him with his entire household.   This favor also brought him to the attention of others including Potiphar’s wife.  When God’s favor rests upon us, it opens doors for us and we begin to walk in God’s plans and purposes, but it also draws the attention of the enemy.  Scripture tells us our battle is not against flesh and blood, but it’s in the spiritual realm, which is so true.  But sadly, people can be used as part of the enemy’s traps and schemes against us.

 

  1. Rejection makes people react irrational and irresponsible.

 

When Joseph says no again to Potiphar’s wife’s advances, she feels overly rejected and she lashes out.  Rejection is a crazy emotion.  It’s roots often go very deep and often causes people to act irrational and irresponsible in the heat of the moment.   Joseph’s rejection sent Potiphar’s wife over the edge.  She lashed out and made false accusations against Joseph which lead to him being thrown in jail.  Joseph didn’t do anything wrong, he had integrity, he spoke the truth, and didn’t give into the temptation, but the enemy laid a trap and when it sprung, Joseph was caught in the middle of it. Even in the midst of Joseph doing the right thing, and being thrown in jail, God continues to promote him and give him favor.  I love Joseph’s heart of trust toward God in this season.  We don’t see him asking “why is this happening?”  We don’t see him having a pity party or sulking, we see him making the best of a bad situation and moving forward one day and one step at a time.

 

  1. Hurting people, hurt people.

Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “Hurting people, hurt people.” Potiphar’s wife was hurting.  Joseph’s brothers were hurting.  When we look to people to fill the void in us or be what only God can be for us, we will always end up disappointed and walk away hurt.  How we process and deal with the hurt matters.  As we read Joseph’s story, we see time and time again that people who are hurt, lash out at hurt him.  We all have “stuff,” we need to work through and receive healing for.  If our “stuff” is left undealt with, the hurt becomes pain, the pain becomes bitterness and can lead to unforgiveness, which hinders us from walking out the destiny God has for us.  When we are hurt, we must turn to God and trust Him to help us walk out the healing process so we can move forward.

 

  1. Temptation lurks at every person’s door, including mine and yours.

 

No one is immune from temptation lurking at their door. What is temptation for one person may not be for another.  We must be diligent and aware that the enemy is prowling around.  He sets traps and he is waiting for us to be lured in and take the bait. Scripture tells us how to combat this.  We must be alert, diligent and watchful.

 

 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).

 

In spite of temptation lurking around every corner, we need to remember that we don’t have to fall prey to it and can rise above it.  We don’t have to give in or feel overwhelmed.  We just need to turn to and trust the ONE who can help us navigate any situation that comes our way.

In the face of temptation, remember, God is calling His people to live a life of integrity.

 

#God is calling His people to live a life of #integrity Share on X

 

 

[1] The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement, Chosen Books 2018 page 182

 

Last Week’s Top Viewed Post: 

Last week’s most viewed post by a landslide was Michele Morin’s: The Adjacent Possible. 

I love Michele and her writing, so I was not surprised to see how many of you clicked to read what she had to say.

In her post, Michele challenges us to take one small positive step in the right direction, instead of scanning the horizon for the big eureka moment.  Head on over and check it out if you didn’t get a chance to last week.

Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!

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It know it may seem like a lot to ask, because it takes time. However, if you can leave an honest review after listening, it would really be a HUGE blessing. Each review helps the podcast rank higher and get more eyes. If you’re interested, here’s how you do it:

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Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com

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YouVersion 7-Day Devotional

This is a 7-day Devotional you can get on the YouVersion Bible App

I am blessed and honored to have a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible App. YAY!!! It is a great way to kick start the 7- days before my on-line Bible Study starts next week. I would be so blessed if you would check it out and share it with your friends. You can find it here: Be The Gift Someone Needs Today!


Have you had the opportunity to read my new book  “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for others.” ?  This book is about learning to hear the voice of God in our own life so we can respond to those God bumps and little nudges He gives us on a daily basis.    God is calling us to be agents of encouragement and to be the gift the worlds needs today.

We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.

To order your copy today: You can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, OR your favorite online retailer, Plus, newly added, you can now get a signed copy from me.  Click Here to order yours today! 

We all have the opportunity to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need today.

 


Do you wonder if God still speaks today?  Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally?  Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?

Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to  move you forward  hearing from God?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need.  I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others.  He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you.  The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice. 

God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?

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