"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not" (Romans 7:18, NASB)
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9, NASB)
My flesh is consistent and persistent. It wants what it wants, when it wants it. It wants to be lazy first thing in the morning. It wants to lust just before I start my quiet time in the morning and sometimes during it. It is very controlling and manipulating and has no regard for other people. I believe God when He declares that "...nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh..." The Bible doesn't teach me to strive against the flesh on its terms, but rather to remove the flesh from the equation all together through faith by setting my mind on the Spirit and counting the flesh as dead. The world tries to convince me that living in the Spirit (thinking about God, meditating on Scripture, and talking to God all day long) is extreme and fanatical, but that is the only way I have peace in my heart and victory over sin in my life. It may be extreme and fanatical but that is what God has called me to and I will gladly do it to have the relationship with Almighty God that I have. I am not perfect at it (no one is), but that is what I strive for every day. Sometimes I feel like quitting, but I keep fighting the battle of faith because God has promised to me life eternal and an abundant life right here and now. Don't give up!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Important Things
"Come now, you who say 'Tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow, you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'" (James 4:13-15, NASB)
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17, NASB)
The news of my cousin Sheila's death has got me thinking about eternal things. The things that really matter that I so often take for granted have come to the front of my mind. I am becoming increasingly aware that there are many sideline activities in my life that rob me of precious time I could be using doing more important things. It is not so much that these diversions in my life are necessarily bad in and of themselves, but to the extent that they hinder my progress, or rob me of opportunities to do greater things, I have to consider them idols. TV, the Internet, video games, are all diversions I allow myself as a way to relax, or recreate, but there is always the danger that they will crowd out those things that I still have a strong desire to accomplish spiritually, relationally, and even professionally.
Time is a commodity that I take for granted so easily. I just assume that I am going to wake up each morning and have the full day to do whatever it is I desire. What a tremendous source of pride and arrogance! Each day is a gift, each moment is to be treasured, every breath I take, I take only by the grace and mercy of Almighty God. Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning.
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17, NASB)
The news of my cousin Sheila's death has got me thinking about eternal things. The things that really matter that I so often take for granted have come to the front of my mind. I am becoming increasingly aware that there are many sideline activities in my life that rob me of precious time I could be using doing more important things. It is not so much that these diversions in my life are necessarily bad in and of themselves, but to the extent that they hinder my progress, or rob me of opportunities to do greater things, I have to consider them idols. TV, the Internet, video games, are all diversions I allow myself as a way to relax, or recreate, but there is always the danger that they will crowd out those things that I still have a strong desire to accomplish spiritually, relationally, and even professionally.
Time is a commodity that I take for granted so easily. I just assume that I am going to wake up each morning and have the full day to do whatever it is I desire. What a tremendous source of pride and arrogance! Each day is a gift, each moment is to be treasured, every breath I take, I take only by the grace and mercy of Almighty God. Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning.
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