We should be thankful for all that God has given us. He created the world and lavished us with so much. Because of sin, our world is flawed. We can’t experience it like God wanted us to but we can still taste God’s goodness. We are also flawed because of sin. We can look around and see many hurts all over the world because of sin. We have a Savior that simply by invitation will cover our sin with His blood that will allow us to be righteous before God and He will enable us to live above the sin if we seek Him in all things. This is something to be thankful for even if we wouldn’t have any of the other beauty that surrounds us.
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Sin is Selfish
Sin is a selfish act. It usually brings some type of temporary satisfaction but it leads to the destruction of the one participating and it leads to hurting others that it touches. The person that is involved in sin will affect all people in their surroundings, including family, friends, bystanders and even those that are also involved in the same or similar acts of that sin.
Make Satan Sorry
I was laying in bed last night thinking, “I am so tired.” I wasn’t that tired physically but I was tired spiritually. When I got up and the two boys that are still at home were off to school for the day, I still felt tired. I did some daily devotions and prayer and had no energy to attack my “to do” list. I opened my email and my daily email from Mark Gregston at Heartlight Ministries talked about the things you go through with your children and the last line read somewhat like God has not given up on them, why should you? Laying in bed last night I have to admit I felt like it would be nice if I didn’t have to have this battle but I don’t know if I would give up. If it weren’t for parents, who would be fighting and praying for our kids. It would be nice to think others would step in but the passion is never as deep when it hasn’t hit home or it isn’t your children.
Being too tired to attack my “to do” list, I went to the couch which is not what I usually do. I began to ask God “What am I to do?” and “How long will this take?” I asked him for ambition and motivation to do what I needed to do today or at least what I thought I needed to do. I sat there and felt like I should turn the TV on. This is something I hardly ever do. I flipped through the spiritual channels being very selective of my choices. I came upon Beth Moore. It is nice to sit and listen and go to church and listen but if we spend all our time getting fed, we won’t have time left to feed others. I think God knew I needed some time to listen.
Beth mentioned when God restores us from whatever we are called to go through that we become stronger and are used by God in such a way that Satan is sorry that he ever messed with us. I have had many things that I feel God has been calling me to do in the past few years. Some doors have been opened but I am still waiting for the details of the others to be revealed. I feel overwhelmed at times because of so much stuff and a lack of resources. It is hard to be patient and excited at the same time.
I had some energy restored and walked to the barn to feed the animals. Just as I finished, I felt God telling me this and when I got back to the house (about 1000 feet), I was like “WOW”, I literally did not remember walking up the driveway. We hear parents say, “Don’t mess with my kid or you will be sorry!” or “You can mess with me but don’t mess with my child.” This is my claim today that I want Satan to be sorry that he ever messed with my kid. I trust God to help me accomplish that goal.
We all have something that Satan has tried to use to destroy us that God has used for His Glory. Do something for Christ to make Satan sorry he ever messed with you.
Did I accomplish anything today? I don’t know. I guess it depends on how you look at it.
Are You A Smoker?
Do you see people on oxygen, some struggling to breath, some coughing, and wonder what is wrong or if they will make it through their coughing spell?
Do you say, “I never want to be that miserable”?
What are you doing to prevent it?
Everything we do has consequences. Those consequences are good and bad depending mostly on the decisions we make.
We can decide today, this moment to be a NON-SMOKER. There are helps out there to aid in that decision, but the best thing to do for yourself is to see yourself as a NON-SMOKER. Fight off the temptation. Just like anything you put off, like cleaning the toilet. Put off having that cigarette. Find something else to do.
If you fail, don’t quit trying. Put the cigarette out as soon as you realize you slipped. Be determined. You CAN do it. You will benefit from the fight you put into it. The longer you go without, the easier it will become. You may not believe it now but it will become easier.
If you gain unwanted weight, do something else to lose weight. Exercise will help and it will also give you a better sense of well being that will help with your ability to quit smoking. You will reap other benefits from the exercise as well.
Withdrawal time will be different for everyone. Don’t be discouraged. Temptation will come but don’t give into it. There is always a way out.
Helps:
Find support, accountability, encouragement, etc.!
Don’t keep cigarettes handy!
Avoid atmospheres that bring about temptation!
Avoid others that smoke!
Axis Notes
I attended a weekend event where Axis presented their Grid Presentation and these are my notes:
What do you love?
Love the right thing.
What kind of empire are you building?
Don’t build an empire of dirt.
Don’t build an empire of dirt.
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What is your target?
If we hit the wrong target, it won’t count.
What game are you playing?
It won’t matter if you win if it is the wrong game.
What do you believe?
If you are acting differently than you say then you probably don’t believe what you say.
Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.
Are you filtering your views?
Make sure you embrace the Truth.
We need real relationships with real people.
God wants to have a relationship with you.
We have done nothing wrong, but what have we done?
Do something to make someone else’s life better. You will be better for it.
What excuses are we using to not change?
Allow God’s Word to change us.
God gives us guidelines to protect us from harm and everything we give up or give to Him allows Him to give us something better and more fulfilling.
Examine your life: What can you do to make your life one level better?