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EXPRESSIONS

       

 

BEST OF 2001-2002 

BEST OF 2002-2003

BEST OF 2003- 2004

BEST OF AUG 04 - JULY 05

NEWS

Special three year   anniversary 9-11 edition

Blasi on Board Brings Brightness!

President Bush's inaugural address focuses on freedom, friendship, and faith!

Pop singer Michael Jackson acquitted of all 10 counts!

SGB ELECTIONS:

'Driven', 'Proven' and 'Results Matter' slates sweep SGB election!

Endorsing the fabulous five for Student Government Board (SGB) elections on Nov 17!

ELECTION 2004:

MORAL PUSH 4 BUSH WORKED!

Kerry for a weaker America: Running for president, they call him Kerry!

PSelect-cision 2004 asks: "What are issues that are most important to you that you are basing your vote on and why?"

PSelect-cision 2004 asks 40 students, "Which presidential candidate will best lead this country and why?"

Kerry for DRAFT which Bush is against!

Trial advocate Edwards could not defend Kerry against charges!

Who cares for the the 2nd victim!

Republicans are the political party for African-Americans and people of different ethnicities!

Answering, "Voting for neither candidate of a major political party is going to bring us closer to God."

IMPRESSIONS

Carnegie Library corrupts the morals of a minor!

SGB and Rainbow Alliance’s view of homosexuality is not held by all!

Juveniles escape of death penalty could influence abortion decisions.

FDA should continue to ban gay sperm and ignore editorials opposing them!

EXPRESSIONS

Archives of Daily Devotionals Delivers Dosage!

Christian groups seek to provide haven for incoming students!

Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling knows all about spiritual strikeouts!

Vote for the perfect candidate 24-7!

HOTPRESSIONS:

The Pitt News editorial, 'Troop casualties undercounted by 17,000'  makes it sound like......

Rebuttal to Daniel Masny's Feb 03,05 Pitt News column

SPORTS    

Pitt  2004 Cheerleading and Dance Team surrounded Schenley Quad with their Squad!

Pitt Cheerleaders and Dance team try to cheer up Panther fans!

"Golf’s New 'Sultan of Swat' Victorious Again"

There’s a New 'Berg' in the ‘Burgh.'

Three Panther fans weather the floods at 6:30 a.m.

Steelers Open Season with Home Victory

Pitt's Track and Field could go the distance!

Pittsburgh Steelers come back with rookie and backup players!

Deja Vu for the Steelers

ENTERTAINMENT:

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

FEATURE

"Top 25 reasons given for why students think the original candy cane was made with red and white stripes and was in the shape of a candy cane?"

Top 14 answers to "Love is....."

My Kiss of a Lifetime hopes to be special!

Top 14 responses to 'A Loving friend is........'
 

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the top 50-26 responses to 'Love is....'

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the top 25-1 responses to 'Love is....'

Top 5 responses given by students to, "What is the most important lesson your mom taught you?"

Acrostic Poem for Mother's Day!

GREEK LIFE:

Greek communities can communicate charity and care!

Kappa Kappa Gamma sister Jessica shows her Pitt spirit with her friends!

Newest sisters of Delta Zeta sorority enjoy a meal at Schenley Cafe after their initiation!

Student Government Board member Liz Blasi enjoys a meal at Schenley Cafe with her Chi Omega sisters!

FOOD

PGSIS 2005 Taste with Haste Cereal Poem

PGSIS Class of 2005 Favorite Cereal Survey Results

EDUCATION

Human Resource Management Final Exam Sample Questions II

Human Resource Management Final Exam 45 Sample Questions

MONTHLY
ARCHIVES

 

   

There Exist Many Petrifying Things And Temptation Is One Naturally!" (T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N)

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

Editors note: The devotionals that appear from this month on will be taken from the summer archives because I want to go over the Gospel of Mark from the beginning.. It is possible they will have updates and will be highlighted in pink.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 97, Proverbs 7, and Mark 1:9-13)

"Obey me and live! Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart." (Proverbs 7:2-3, TLB)

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark 1:9-13)

Observations:

I asked myself in whose COMPANY Jesus was in according to v.12

  1. The Spirit

  2. Satan

  3. Wild Animals

  4. Angels

Observations/Interpretations:

I asked myself what role each played?

Point 1: The Spirit

I found it very interesting that right after the voice told Jesus, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’, 'At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert.'

This is very significant for me because what came to my mind is before the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert; He was built up with love and support, after being acknowledged as His Son, by the Voice. Right after being baptized, Jesus could have been sent to the desert but He was not. Instead, He was built up first with love and support.

Implications:

I remember when I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I was built up so much in love, encouragement, and support. I felt so much loved by Jesus. Jesus was helping me to grow in Him. After awhile, the testing began but by then I already felt so loved by Jesus and felt His continued presence in my life. Even if we do not feel His presence He still is there, for when He comes in, He will never leave us or forsake us. I am so thankful that right after I became a Christian I was not plunged into temptation but protected from it. But being protected all our life from temptation does not really help us grow as a Christian. It is in adversity that our true colors and character shines forth. I was built up enough that the Lord allowed temptation to occur in my life. I wished that it could be like it was in the beginning but that would not help in my growth. I am so thankful how the Lord Jesus handled me as His new follower.

Point 2: Satan

Satan tempted Jesus in the desert while Jesus was there for forty days. The content of the temptation is not revealed in this Gospel but we know Jesus was tempted after being encouraged and supported.

Implications:

I have been tempted so many times in so many areas and have not always come through because I relied on self and the flesh but Jesus Christ came through the temptation. The detailed version can be found in the Gospel of Luke 4:1-13 and Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11. What I learned is that I can too overcome temptation by using the biblical principles Jesus used.

Point 3: Wild Animals

Everything mentioned in the Bible has significance so the purpose of the wild animals being there has significance. I believe it is to show us the protection Jesus received by the Spirit.

Implications:

When I became a Christian, I believe the Holy Spirit came to live in me and reside in me. The Spirit can protect me from dangerous temptations, etc that can kill me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically as I focus on the Spirit. Each temptation can be different and address different dimensions of humanity. Just as wild animals can kill, temptations can kill too. But, the Good News is when I yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to be in control I will not give into the flesh. Even when we give into temptation, I am so thankful for the mercies of the Lord for they are new each morning, Great is His Faithfulness!

Point 4: Angels

The angels came to attend Jesus after He overcame the temptations of Satan. This is so cool that God sent angels to attend to Jesus in the desert. I believe the angels took care of Jesus in the desert. We need to remember, though Jesus has the qualities of Divinity He came to relate with humanity and experienced the same things as humans do such as hunger, emotions, etc. The difference is that Jesus did not give into temptations.

Implications:

I believe when we are tempted it can be frustrating and many times painful not to give in. Our flesh wants to do things but we know that the Holy Spirit does not want us to give in. It can be encouraging to know that the victory is the Lord’s and He will send His help to attend us as we continue to fight the temptations that Satan sends our way.

I ask you now dear friend, how do you handle temptation?

Dear friend, it can be so easy to give into temptations when we follow our fleshly desires but sadly many times we do because we do not focus on the Lord and what He wants to offer us. I know I have been guilty of that time after time. When Satan tempts, he makes things look so good and enticing.

He could put thoughts such as these in your mind so you will give in:

  1. You must have this or that right away!

  2. There is no point in waiting when it is at your reach.

  3. What does God know; He does not want you to have fun.

  4. No one is watching.

  5. Go ahead this one time.

  6. You will like it; try it.

All temptation starts with a thought process put in our mind my Satan. When that thought process is rehearsed over and over with false and deceptive rationalizations, they are acted upon and become actions. Once an action is done then Satan will not use those same reasons above but now becomes your accuser and puts thoughts such as these in your mind:

  1. God does not love you after what you have done!

  2. You are no Christian because of what you have done!

These are only some of the ways that Satan accuses. You see friend, when Satan entices people to let them give into temptations, he paints a rosy picture but in reality you do not get the rosy picture but the thorn picture of pain, shame, and hurt.

There is Good News however, friend and the victory is the Lord’s. Just as Jesus overcame temptation, we can too by following biblical principles. When Satan tempts you, you can resist him by quoting Scripture to him and commanding him to leave you alone. You have to focus on the Lord and allow Him to work in your life. God’s Word, Prayer, and a community of believers who are loving but not judgmental can help you go a long way.

There will be times we still give in because of our flesh. In those situations, forgiveness is available at the cross and you can move on. Lord loves you so much even when you mess up. He wants to help you and you can come to Him as you are. Let Him guide you and lead you. Yes, friend, He wants to help you! Experience the power of His love !!!

I want to share with you a poem, the Lord Jesus helped me to write years ago. It is called ‘Enduring Temptation’ and was written to help a lot of people. The rest of the poems can be found at http://www.pitt.edu/~rcrst6/Devotional.html

This one goes with the Scriptures from Romans 7:14-8:1)

Giving into temptation making you feel so Low?There seems nowhere to Go,
Making your life a tremendous Blow
Causing you to be full of Woe?
Devils temptation has become your Foe
There ain't no escape you think you Know
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
Though temptation is very Strong
It wont last very Long.

Cause Jesus, our Savior is the Way. (John 14:6)
For us sinners, he did the price Pay.
(1 Cor 6:20)
So as we turn to Him and Pray,
(Matt 26:41)
He will help us overcome Satan each Day.
(1 John 4:4)
Now Satan's temptation's tremble and cant Stay.
(James 4:7)
So you see how it Goes. (
Nah 1:7)
With Jesus we can overcome our Foes.
(Romans 8:31)
When we are Tempted, (
1 Cor 10:13)
He will let us be Exempted
(Revelation 3:10)
Before committing what was Attempted
(Heb 2:18)
He is the Light
(1 John 1:5)
Will make us do what is Right.
(John 12:36)
By His blood we have been made White
(1 John 1:7)
With the Lord, the devil we can Fight
(Philippians 4:13)
So with Jesus please Walk
(John 8:12)
So with you He can Talk
(Isaiah 30:21)
And be our mighty Rock
(Psalm 18:1-3)
He wants to open our hearts Lock
(John 3:16)
Our heart Jesus knocks with a big Knock.
(Rev 3:20)

"There Exist Many Petrifying Things And Temptation Is One Naturally!" (T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N)/"How do you handle temptation?"

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I love you so much. Thank you Lord you love me more than words can say. Lord Jesus as you already know, I keep getting tempted by Satan and many times fail to do what is right. This makes me feel so low because I have gone my own way. Please Lord I ask you to forgive me when I get tempted and do the wrong. On my own I know Lord that I will keep committing the same mistakes which you know I hate and cannot help it. I humble myself before you Lord. I realize I am a sinner and accept my peril before you and yield my life to you. Help me please Lord to follow your ways. You are my hiding place OH Lord. I trust you completely. You keep me from stumbling, thank you Lord. Thank you Jesus you are my Light and my Salvation. You will let me overcome any temptation I am facing. Thank you Lord you know how temptation is because you experienced it in the wilderness when Satan tempted you many times. Yet, you did not give in. Thank you for being able to relate with us when we are tempted. We turn to you for help.  Thank you Jesus for making us white as freshly fallen snow. I invite you into my heart. IN YOUR NAME I PRAY JESUS, AMEN.

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18, NIV)

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have done and messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me unconditionally for who I am. Thank you Jesus! I turn myself to you Oh Lord in this Fall of September 2005. Please forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart.  I accept you Jesus into my heart. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart. Thanks for forgiving me of all my sins. Thanks for giving me a new identity in you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus for the coming days we can do things together. Thanks for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!

If you need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of September 2005, you can email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Next Devotional:
Who controls your T.I.M.E?

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SEPTEMBER 2005

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SEPTEMBER 2005

CHAPTER 1

How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y to prophecy?  (Sept 01, 05)

Who do you P.O.I.N.T to? (Sept 02.05)

"Will you take a S.T.A.N.D?" (Sept 03.05)

How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E? (Sept 06.05)