Archbishop Gregory Holley

Temptation Cannot Be Avoided by E.L. Holley

Temptation cannot be avoided. The Lord Himself was tempted in all areas of life. Yet, he lived without sin. He did not yield to temptation.

Of itself, temptation is not sin. Moreover, it comes to all. Yet, we can, by the grace and help of God, overcome it. And, we must do so in order to live acceptable lives before Him.

If we view our temptations properly, we can better understand the effects they have upon our character and behavior. We might even recognize that temptation can benefit as well as damage us. At any rate, it is worth our time to consider the matter in this light rather than bathe ourselves in fears of self-pity.

Every evil to which we do not succumb actually becomes a benefactor! It does us good. We gain the strength of the very temptation we resist. And, the intensity of our resistance is determined by the force of the temptation itself.

For instance, the dedicated believer who resists the world of entertainment finds himself an overcomer of the beggarly, yet strong, elements of evil interwoven into its appealing fabric. Further, he sharpens his discernment between good and evil because of the deceptive portrayal of evil. So many things that may appear to be acceptable have that appearance because of the theatrical skill of Satan for dressing up the ugly, the profane.

A recent news article concerned a movie star who found herself being cast in roles which were degrading, roles which demanded more and more nudity and pornographic acting. She finally realized that her nine year old daughter would be seeing those shows on television. Approaching her supervisors as respectfully as possible, she explained, "My child will be confused. I teach her a different set of values. But, then I'm portrayed in roles which are the very opposite of what I want her to learn and live by. This is harmful to her in several ways. I'm quitting, I cannot continue."

Though she isn't an example in every area of life, I think her courage and reasoning is worthy of note. She had to go back to lower income types of employment. She knew her actions could be disastrous to her dream of an acting career. But, she resisted the temptation to "take advantage of her opportunity" toward stardom. She overcame it.

While this alone didn't constitute salvation, it did strengthen her balance of values.  She acquired even more insight regarding her responsibility to her family, especially her daughter. She gained strength of the temptation she resisted.

So, when temptation comes our way, let us recognize that a new strength, another dimension of insight, and a greater love and appreciation awaits us on the other side of the trial!  Thus, we can indeed "count it all joy" when we fall into various trials and temptations (James 1:2)

Boldness by E.L. Holley

They marveled! A closer observation revealed a lack of the long robes of learning. Such boldness! What was the answer? In the final analysis, the critical clerics found the source of apostolic boldness, " they had been with Jesus" ( Acts 4:13).

The mark of men who have been with Jesus is boldness! And, in this day of doubt, it is still marvelous to see men who are bold in the Spirit! They do not indulge in weak ambiguities. Their words are decisive and their declarations plain. With a love that shines through their expression, such men use plainness of speech. No stammering of fearful uncertainty, but the clarity of " thus saith the Lord" is their mark.

Such a boldness is not suggestive of a wild eyed frenzy in which fear is the object. It isn't threats or coercion. No, a thousand times, no! Abrasive speech is not indicative of boldness; rather, the very opposite.

Bold men are uninhibited by the paralyzing effects of fear. A visit with Jesus in prayer will enable a disciple to cast out all fear, indeed, perfect loves effects this in the heart of a child of God. Presence of mind and freedom of speech and action are true marks of a holy boldness. To saturate the soul with God's awesome presence is to create this condition. Witnessing is easy in such a state. And what is the prerequisite for this frame of mind? The answer lies in being "with Jesus."

A spiritual aggressiveness is becoming more evident. A readiness to step out on the promises of God is obvious. It is a very contagious condition!

God is the same yesterday, today and forever! To spend time in His presence is to stroke the fires of fervency and faith. He wants us to stand up for Him In a world gone astray! He will embolden you. First, however, you must get into His presence!

Creative Avoidance by Gene Holley

Gene Holley, my cousin, pastors in Pflugerville, Texas, a suburb of Austin. His blog is one I check everyday at www.holleyhappenings.blogspot.com . He is a Marketplace Minister in that he Pastors and is a Real Estate Agent! As my dad said, "How much more full time can you get than that! This blog was exceptional and I share it with you! Go to his site for more unique ideas and check out the great church he and his family are being used of God to pioneer!

Creative Avoidance by Gene Holley

I was in a class today and the term "creative avoidance" came up.  Actually, it is another term for the old standard "procrastination!"  It is when you know you need to do something, but you get creative and find an excuse to do something else that is more fun.  Instead of calling someone to ask for business, we end up spending time on the computer "researching" so we can answer their questions better when we finally make that call.  Or, maybe we check our email before working on that flyer, because there may be something in our email that will we need to put that flyer together.  We learn to be creative when we are avoiding something we really don't want to do. 

I think we are all guilty of this.  There are just some things we don't like doing or don't want to do at all and we put it off for some of the craziest reasons!  We must learn to do today what is today's task.  If we put it off, then we are postponing the inevitable and possibly making the inevitable task even harder than it would have been in the first place!

What are you avoiding?  I have found that a lot of people avoid God.  They find creative ways to put off checking the innermost part of their soul.  The problem is:  we will have to answer for our soul and the longer we put it off, the more life takes its toll on us and the harder it becomes to reverse the patterns that have been set.  And, there is coming a time when it will be too late.  We only have a certain number of days and we don't even know what that is.  We don't have time to make excuses and leave the weighty matters of life unanswered.

Today is the day.  Whatever it is you are putting off, stop all the creative meanderings, and get it done. 

www.holleyhappenings.blogspot.com

I was in a class today and the term "creative avoidance" came up.  Actually, it is another term for the old standard "procrastination!"  It is when you know you need to do something, but you get creative and find an excuse to do something else that is more fun.  Instead of calling someone to ask for business, we end up spending time on the computer "researching" so we can answer their questions better when we finally make that call.  Or, maybe we check our email before working on that flyer, because there may be something in our email that will we need to put that flyer together.  We learn to be creative when we are avoiding something we really don't want to do. 

I think we are all guilty of this.  There are just some things we don't like doing or don't want to do at all and we put it off for some of the craziest reasons!  We must learn to do today what is today's task.  If we put it off, then we are postponing the inevitable and possibly making the inevitable task even harder than it would have been in the first place!

What are you avoiding?  I have found that a lot of people avoid God.  They find creative ways to put off checking the innermost part of their soul.  The problem is:  we will have to answer for our soul and the longer we put it off, the more life takes its toll on us and the harder it becomes to reverse the patterns that have been set.  And, there is coming a time when it will be too late.  We only have a certain number of days and we don't even know what that is.  We don't have time to make excuses and leave the weighty matters of life unanswered.

Today is the day.  Whatever it is you are putting off, stop all the creative meanderings, and get it done. 

www.holleyhappenings.blogspot.com

Clear Thinking by E.L. Holley

In no small way, your eternal destiny depends upon it! Therefore, we understand why Jesus demanded logical, clear thinking on the part of His hearers (Matthew 18:12). As it was then, so it is now. We cannot afford, in this crucial hour, to allow Satan to muddy the waters of clear thinking. If we do, he will drag our thoughts into a quagmire of fallacious reasoning from which escape is virtually impossible.

Consider a couple of the more dangerous fallacies of our day.

One can become as foolish as the rooster who observed that after he crowed each morning the sun comes up. Therefore, he reasoned, his crowing caused the sun to rise! Needless to say, this "bright" conclusion gave the little rooster quite a feeling of importance, but it was all out of touch with reality.

God has seen fit to bless the efforts of some who immediately assumed it was their "crowing" that brought about the move of God. Then, they "crowed" all the more until they were exposed for the self styled "cocks of the walk" they really were. All of this could have been avoided had they kept thinks in their proper perspective. But, alas, such is the tendency of the carnal minded: self-aggrandizement lures them to their fall.

Since nothing seems to deter such people in their craving for glory, it becomes the responsibility of the rest of us to recognize the fallacy of their exorbitant claims. When someone points out that he went to this or that place and had " a great revival" when for years and years the place had been dead as a dry corn shuck, ask yourself what he is trying to prove. When men say, " I laid my hands on them and I prayed the prayer of faith., then...etc.,etc.," again ask yourself if perhaps the rooster hasn't decided his crowing caused the sun to rise.

We will do well to remember what Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, wrote on this point. He said, "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." And , it follows that he will also deceive all who are captivated by his egotistical brags. We had better keep our eyes on Jesus. He will never fail!

The second fallacy is illustrated in the story told of a man who decided to drive to the North Pole. Being a 'thoughtful' person, he decided to conduct a study to determine whether there would be adequate fuel along the way. So, he drove several miles north on the Montreal Highway in Vermont and counted service stations. From his figures he concludes that since there is an average of three stations per mile, he would have no worries about fuel! There would be plenty of gas to drive all the way to the North Pole!

He chartered two or three points, drew a curve through them and extended it indefinitely. His "facts" were limited and selected! Therefore, his prognostications about the unknown future simply reflected what he wanted them to reflect! Foolish, isn't it? But, consider a similarity in the spiritual realm.

One can select his evidence, limit it with his own guidelines, draw a curve and extend that line of thought in his pre-chosen direction to infinity. Of course, that line leads one to his own destruction more often than not!

For example, the man who doesn't love God enough to tithe his income is prone to look around in search of fellow-slackers. If he is able to locate one or two in a congregation, he pinpoints them as evidence. Then, from his limited 'facts' he draws a line which he labels "trend." The conclusion is that soon no one will be tithing, then, it would be foolish to tithe when "nobody" else does it.

Or, there is a fellow who visits a couple of churches in a certain area and observes what appears to him as "a trend toward worldliness."  Then, he sets them forth as proof, draws his curve and extends it into all the regions of hell. The grand conclusion is that all churches in that area are worldly and soon all churches everywhere will be in that "deplorable condition."

Time and space won't permit further development of these fallacies and their devilish results. But, thinking people will ask for all the factors involved in the prognostications of those who specialize in observing and analyzing trends in the church.

Fifteen Minute Vacations by E.L. Holley

The jingle goes:

"This is the age of the half -read page, The quick hash, and the mad dash, the bright night with the nerves tight, the plane hop with the brief stop, the lamp ran in a short span, the big shot in a good spot, and the brain strain, and the heart pain, and the catnaps until the spring snaps, and the fun's done!"

While every line may not be the apt or the applicable, too many of them are! Every child of God needs to get off the merry-go-round often enough to keep things in perspective. Maybe a fifteen minute devotion or a period of inflection will serve th purpose. At any rate, we must not ignore the vital and chase the irrelevant.

It is vital that we come boldly to the throne with our hearts filled with the gratitude. Regardless of what we face, we can rejoice in the fact that our names are in the Book of Life. We stoke the fires of life when we express the gratefulness of our hearts. Who among us can deny His goodness to us? Therefore, the positive declaration of gratitude will strengthen our step and grip our life.

If we begin to lose our grip, it will show up first in the simple areas -- the half read page, the right nerves, the mad dash. In such situations, serenity can come amid the chaos by simply turning our thoughts to the Prince of Peace. He can and will calm the storm.

When we find ourselves blowing the trumpet that brings our own walls tumbling down, we need only remind ourselves that His wisdom is ours merely for the asking. Man's wisdom educates him into imbecility, shortens his life with pills, scalpels, and syringes. But, God can, in his unmatched, unrivaled wisdom, lift us up above the shadows. How fortunate we are to know such a God!

Loving Him as we do, we desire to be like Him. We want to reflect Him as the moon reflects the sun. In the realm of integrity, in the beauty of holiness, in the clarity of truth and in the truth of charity, we desire to be like Him. We don't want our affluence to create a boredom which prompts a fascination with novelty. We want to be genuine and true in a day of sham and substitute.

Let's work while it is called day. The night cometh! And, in the hustle bustle of much activity, let's hold to the tried and true Christian values we know and love! In the transient waves following the ebb and flow of fad, fashion, and folly, we can steer a clear course to our heavenly home.

Selah! Take fifteen minutes, an think about it!

Conqueroring Evil With Good by E.L. Holley

" Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

From the cross itself, Jesus taught a great ethic. It was an object lesson. It wasn't taught as a discourse. There is no introduction, explanation, or conclusion set forth. But his response to an unreasonable, vehement hatred makes us stand in awe, think and hopefully learn.

The penetrating pangs of hatred were felt as surely as were the driven spikes. The expressions of scorn like scarring oaths, all that a violent mob is capable of expressing were felt. The natural, normal, rational response calls for reciprocal thought and deeds. But he refused to entertain thoughts of revenge and retaliation. Instead, love conquered hate. He overcame evil with good: "Forgive them father..."

The principle is worthy of our consideration. As it was important for Him to die by this ethic, it is imperative for us to live by it. In fact, we "die daily" as we live by it. It is our victory today as it was His then because He lives in us!

We receive injuries. We are victims of injustice. On occasion our name, our character, our life's work come under attack. At such a time it seems so very unreasonable and perhaps unfair. We gasp in horror as we see things we've given our lives to being torn to shreds by what can seem to be a mob of violent antagonists.

Suppose we retaliate? What is the result?

First the desire for vengeance is destructive. If we even entertain that tormenting thought, we invite an animal more vicious than a tiger into our hearts. It will rip everything beautiful within into tatters of torment. Misery multiplies. It is a struggle which has no victory!

A poet once said, "Hatred does  more damage to the vessel in which it's stored, than to the object upon which it is poured."

No amount of revenge satisfies the thirst for vengeance. To get even is impossible. As hatred begets hatred, so will retaliation. It feeds on itself and the victim who entertains it. The ever widening sphere of violence encompasses like a whirlwind. The dust and dirt disturbed by its violent gusts simply to blind and enrage those it engulfs.

But the principle is plain. We can overcome evil with good! While we are never to condone or tolerate evil in ourselves we can meet it and conquer it when we are confronted with it. Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory!

To see those who would perpetrate an injustice on us as Jesus saw his antagonists, is to find divine power to join Him in saying, "Forgive them, Father..."

Then, overcome evil with good!

Inspiration by E.L. Holley

To be in the presence of an inspired person is a rejuvenating experience! This holds true regardless of what the source of that person's enthusiasm happens to be. The exited squeal of children who have captured a black bird in a snow trap will captivate you. The lifted eyebrow of an oldster whose interest has been genuinely sparked tends to ignite the fires of attention and concern in you.

It works that way. Then, once  enthusiasm is unleashed in our hearts in one area, it quickly spreads like a prairie fire to other segments of our lives.

A few days ago, my wife were returning to Lufkin from a short trip. I had a voice problem and could not speak. We noticed a man on the side of the road hitchhiking. I decided to stop and give him a ride.

As he crawled in the back seat, my wife explained to him my inability to talk. He replied, "You're a Pentecostal preacher, aren't you?" I nodded. " I thought so!"  Then, after introducing himself as a member of one of the local Pentecostal churches, he began to talk about his Lord, his church and pastor.

Tears welled up in his eyes and ran down his cheeks! The visit was brief. In ten miles or so, he was home. As he got out of the car, he was inviting us to visit his wife and himself. The warmth of his love for God literally crackled through eyes ablaze with a quiet enthusiasm!

My wife and I drove away thinking about the scripture which refers to the possibility of entertaining angels unawares! We were inspired. We felt the depth of a sincere love of a sinner who had been saved by grace. His slow deliberate speech had caused our hearts to beat faster!

Who among us cannot recall the emptiness we knew before we were filled? Who cannot feel the emotion of gratitude as we simply review what happened, when the Savior reached down for us? Then, share it by testifying to its marvelous power! Now there is peace where once there was turbulence. Joy where there was anxiety. Hope where there was despondency. Share it! Only God knows the power of an inspired soul. It has a magnetic effect. It has a transforming effect. It has a renewing effect.

We are debtors to a world that sits in darkness. Let's let our light shine!

Fear by E.L. Holley

Fear torments! Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of forces outside of us. Name it and we must readily admit that "fear hath torment" ( I John 4:18).

The fear of failure can paralyze us, causing us to never try. We thereby suffer the greatest of all failures! This happens when we think of ourselves as failures because we failed and being a failure!

Some of our greatest missionaries suffered defeat after defeat before they broke through to great victory. Saints of God have been bolstered in the faith through apparent ability to exercise simple faith for simple things. Few great soul winners win ever soul, but they reach beyond their ability to reach some who will reach others. Somehow, they fail to acknowledge failure in their pursuit of the possible!

Rejection is one of life's greatest rewards are bestowed upon those who come to grips with a simple but profound truth;  we will never be rejected as Jesus was rejected until we offer ourselves as He offered Himself. Because it was in the seedling of His rejection that the offering of Himself was acceptable! Can it be any different for us? Does not genuine acceptance on the basis of righteousness not outweigh the momentary experience of rejection, no matter how bitter?

Sometimes it seems that we are so very vulnerable to forces beyond our control. Everything seems to collapse around us. Feelings of helplessness tend toward various forms of hopelessness. Fear magnifies and twists small and insignificant facts into formidable mountains laden with disaster.

Fear of the unknown can only be overcome by acquaintance with the known! While it is true that we know not what can be befall us, it is also true that there is a place where we there is no fear. And, in the absence of fear there is no torment.

There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear ( I john 4:18). Let us seek the inner security and peace found in real love. This is both our privilege and responsibility. It will enable us to love God and our neighbor. Is not this the identifying hallmark of His disciples.

Failure is no threat to a person filled and motivated by the love of God. Rejection does not haunt our thoughts. We see ourselves in His stead. And, if He was rejected, why shouldn't we be? Nothing from without can crush that which is within when love houses our souls!

Let each of us share the truth of our salvation in love. Thus, we cannot fail. He will accept us and those whom He calls will as well. And, nothing that is formed  against us shall prosper.  There is victory in love!

Confidence by E.L. Holley

After commending the endurance of his readers, the writer of the Hebrews letter urged, " Cast not away, therefore, thy confidence, which hath great recompense of reward..." (10:35)  They had shared the sufferings of the apostle, along with their companions, "endured a great fight of afflictions" (vs 32). Now, they were being urged to hold fast to the confidence they had displayed; the rewards were great!

Their confidence was anchored in God, His Word, and His people. Loss of confidence in any of these areas results in a tragedy in all. Who can trust God and doubt His Word? Or, how could we trust the Word of God and have no confidence in His people?  No, these are interrelated; loss in one area affects all. And, the apostle declared that your confidence "hath great recompense of reward."

Think how great the reward is when we have confidence in God! He will never fail us. His Hand is not shortened. He is an ever present help in time of trouble. He can and will do more in our behalf than we are able to think or say! 

Then, the rewards of having confidence in another, you might develop him. Who does not do better if he feels the confidence of a friend? Trust tends to draw our best from us. We are all inclined to strive to live up to the expectations of those we hold in respect. So, a great reward of having confidence in another is found in the knowledge that you contributed to his achievements.

On the other hand, if you cast away your confidence in another, you may well be casting the person himself away. It is quite rewarding, therefore, to exert an effort to hold fast to your confidence in others. Who knows what one word of faith, one utterance of assurance, one trusting expression can mean? Or, who knows what the lack of such a confidence can mean?

Then, the ability to trust in others is of inestimable value to one's self! When one loses confidence in another, there is a decided loss to the person himself. Each disappointment would be like a burned fiber in  a woven fabric. Loss of confidence tends to destroy the very pattern of trust within the heart. To distrust one creates a tendency to distrust another. Like the fabric, a few burned fibers will destroy the entire pattern. Thus, some men end up at some point in life cynical and disillusioned.

How great the reward of hold fast to our trust in others! Taking care to hold fast our confidence in others is a safeguard to the spiritual welfare of our own souls. This is not to say one should be gullible and allow discretion and discernment to fly out the window.  It is to say that the loss of confidence is irretrievable and tragic!

"Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward."

Tithing

Our merciful Lord pronounced woe upon a group of His own who had practiced tithing to the minute detail, but omitted such matters as mercy, judgment, and faith. He approved their practice of tithing and condemned their lack of those omitted qualities. It wasn't a matter of "either - or." Observance of both areas of the law were required. ( Matthew 23:23)

Just as mercy, judgment, and faith were of the law, but not limited to the law, so is the matter of tithing. These matters did not originate with the law. The were before the law. The law enjoined them, and inasmuch as they were before the law, they did not cease with the fulfillment of the law.

Centuries before the law was given at Mount Sinai, Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec ( Hebrews 7:2 Genesis 14:20) It is apparent that the principle did not originate with this practice; rather, the practice was in compliance with an established principle.  This is important!

The principle stated simply is:  The tithe is the Lord's. ( Leviticus 27:30) Since it is His, the practice of tithing has been from the beginning, Godly men have always honored God with the tithe.

With the advent of the law, God established another principle. He gave -- it was His to give -- the tithe to the priesthood, the Levites ( Numbers 18:20-21, 24-26).  It was to be their inheritance. This act of divine authority established the principle. God's people were to give God's tithe to God's ministers who were to "do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." ( Numbers 18:23)

The writer of the Hebrews letter declares that the sons of Levi were under commandment to receive the tithe. More than an optional provision, it was a divine imperative - a command. From this, the inspired writer wrote in the present tense during this dispensation of grace and declared, " And here men that die receive tithes..." ( Hebrews 7:8)

His comparison between Melchisedec, who had the power of an endless life, and "men that die." Both receive tithes. But when he said, " And here men that die receive tithes..." he was referring to a practice that was prevalent then among the believers. It was in accordance with the principle.

Paul applied the principle of the tithe to the support of the Christian ministry in I Corinthians 9. After referring to the law of Moses (vs. 7-9), h goes on to declare that the practice is to be in accordance with that principle.

In fact, every man who is ordained to preach the gospel is also commanded to " live of the gospel." ( I Corinthians 9:14)  Paul later repented for denying the Corinthians the privilege of following the established principle. He "robbed other churches, taking wages of them" ( II Corinthians 11:7-10) in order to preach the gospel to them "freely." Then he asked them to "forgive me this wrong" ( II Corinthians 12:13).

The tithe is the Lord's. He honors those who honor Him ( I Samuel 2:30). The tithed dollar is blessed; the unblessed tithed dollar is cursed ( Malachi 3:7-12). We are privileged to experience the blessing associated with practicing the principle. There are many!