February 27th, 2026
by Mark McAdow
by Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
Halt! Not a word we use very much. When I think of someone saying “halt!,” I usually picture a uniformed office or soldier at a checkpoint demanding me to “stop!” It’s a command not a suggestion.
Yesterday I was visiting with a new friend at lunch, and we were talking about temptation in life. We know Jesus was tempted by Satan, but He never gave in. Jesus is perfect; we are not. We, on the other hand, have been tempted and given in to temptation too many times to count!
Temptation is real and Satan is, too. How can we overcome temptation in our lives? We must be aware of Satan’s strategies.
I was sharing a concept I learned years ago based on the acrostic H.A.L.T. When are we most tempted? It’s usually when we are: H-hungry, A-angry, L-lonely, and T-tired. Think about a recent temptation in your life. Were any of those four factors impacting your life at the time? I bet one or more of them were. Tempted to stay up and watch something questionable? Maybe you were lonely or tired. Tempted to say something you know you’ll regret? Maybe you were angry or tired. Tempted to spend money you don’t have? Maybe you are angry or lonely believing you deserve better. Discontent can also lead to sin.
Temptation is not sin, but giving in to temptation is. Next time you’re tempted, I pray you might HALT and seek the help of the Holy Spirit and the power of God’s Word to help you overcome.
That’s what Jesus did when He was tempted. He quoted scripture He had hidden in his heart and mind. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” wrote the Psalmist in Psalm 119:11. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth this: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.’- I Cor. 10:13.
As we said last Sunday, “Love God and Hate Sin.” That’s our call as Christian disciples.
This Sunday is March 1, 2026. Can you believe it? Looking forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion together.
Love you,
Pastor Mark
Halt! Not a word we use very much. When I think of someone saying “halt!,” I usually picture a uniformed office or soldier at a checkpoint demanding me to “stop!” It’s a command not a suggestion.
Yesterday I was visiting with a new friend at lunch, and we were talking about temptation in life. We know Jesus was tempted by Satan, but He never gave in. Jesus is perfect; we are not. We, on the other hand, have been tempted and given in to temptation too many times to count!
Temptation is real and Satan is, too. How can we overcome temptation in our lives? We must be aware of Satan’s strategies.
I was sharing a concept I learned years ago based on the acrostic H.A.L.T. When are we most tempted? It’s usually when we are: H-hungry, A-angry, L-lonely, and T-tired. Think about a recent temptation in your life. Were any of those four factors impacting your life at the time? I bet one or more of them were. Tempted to stay up and watch something questionable? Maybe you were lonely or tired. Tempted to say something you know you’ll regret? Maybe you were angry or tired. Tempted to spend money you don’t have? Maybe you are angry or lonely believing you deserve better. Discontent can also lead to sin.
Temptation is not sin, but giving in to temptation is. Next time you’re tempted, I pray you might HALT and seek the help of the Holy Spirit and the power of God’s Word to help you overcome.
That’s what Jesus did when He was tempted. He quoted scripture He had hidden in his heart and mind. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” wrote the Psalmist in Psalm 119:11. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth this: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.’- I Cor. 10:13.
As we said last Sunday, “Love God and Hate Sin.” That’s our call as Christian disciples.
This Sunday is March 1, 2026. Can you believe it? Looking forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion together.
Love you,
Pastor Mark
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