During Lent, Christians can reflect on ways we have given in to temptation and put a barrier between us and God.

Everyone deals with various temptations, and Satan tailor-makes temptations for each individual.

For example, purchasing a new, expensive electronic gadget is a temptation for me; for you, it may have no appeal whatsoever. You might be tempted to purchase a new ATV; for me, that has no appeal.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan tailor-made temptations for our Lord:'

●Turn stones into bread

●Rule the entire world's kingdoms

●Demonstrate God’s protective powers

There was nothing overtly wrong about those temptations — they could have accomplished good results. But Jesus determined they would not have accomplished the greater good.

People needed more than loaves and fishes to live; they also needed God's word. Jesus was to rule people’s hearts, not this world's kingdoms. Jesus would not instill false hope or expectation regarding God’s favor.

Jesus weighed temptations against the scriptures and made right, good decisions.

When it comes to temptations that hit you, do you rationalize reasons for giving in to them, or do you consider the greater good?

If you are tempted to belittle your child, is that the greater good? If you are tempted to fudge your tax return, slam a political candidate, complain about your pastor or your congregation, cheat on your spouse, get revenge for a real or perceived slight, have one last drink for the road, take what does not belong to you, spend money on something not budgeted — is it the greater good?

Whichever temptations come your way, weigh them against scripture as Jesus did. Ask yourself if giving in would produce the greater good.

If not, walk away from it. If you give in, you have yet another thing to feel guilty about, and the need to seek God’s forgiveness.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Weigh temptations against scripture

A long-time local tradition is music to many residents' ears. It is the sound of tractors, tillers and other machines working hard before Valentine's Day to plant peas, potatoes and other crops. 

Churches, similarly, should start a tradition of planting seeds of faith, joy and salvation. 

Take gardening, for example.

In the summer, plants wither and die without plenty of water. It is the same in church. Sermons on God's grace and mercy act like water to our souls. 

With fertilizer, plants receive vital nutrition, they can begin to green out and produce fruit at a greater rate and better quality. 

When people allow the Bible to be their road map to living, and ministers return to preaching's roots by holy living, turning away from sin, and becoming Christ-like, we become uncomfortable. However, this too provides the spiritual nutrition we need to branch out and bear fruit.

Pruning and hoeing, and eliminating weeds and the garden's dead spots add to the plant's ability to do even better. Similarly, uncompromised preaching helps us eliminate our lives' dead areas, and remove anything detrimental to our testimony. 

Will your garden grow "OK" or will it be wonderful? What about your Christianity?  

The choice is yours.  

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: How does your garden grow?

King David wrote Psalm 51:10 and 11 amid a difficult time. He had grievously sinned. 

One day, he spied the beautiful — and married — Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop. Consumed with lust, he had her brought to the palace, had his way with her, and she became pregnant.

To cover his misdeed, David made sure Bathsheba’s husband was killed in battle, and he took Bathsheba to be his wife.

He and his new wife's child was born sickly, so for seven days, David prayed for God to forgive his sin and spare the child.

"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:1-4)

David confessed his sin. Wearing sackcloth and ashes — symbols of repentance — and through fasting and praying, he pleaded for his child's life.

But the child succumbed to its illnesses.

David then removed the sackcloth and ashes, washed and anointed himself, and asked to be fed. When questioned why he did not mourn his child, he said he had been repentant, he mourned while the child was alive, and nothing he could do would bring the child back.

This may sound callous. However, his heart was not untouched. He mourned his child. He consoled his new wife. He confessed his sin and repented.

David knew God forgave him, and he did something many of us have great difficulty doing: he forgave himself.

When we receive God’s forgiveness, we must also forgive ourselves. When we don’t, we tend to negate God's forgiveness.

Nothing you can do is so horrible that God will not forgive you. And if God — creator of the universe, author of life, the one who knows your heart — can forgive your most heinous sins, you can certainly forgive yourself.

This Lent, seek God’s forgiveness, and ask for the wisdom and strength to also forgive yourself.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: This Lent, learn to forgive yourself