What's been your struggle?

I read one time that wisdom is:
"Making decisions today that I'll be glad about tomorrow."

I like that. It's simple and true.
I wish I would follow it more often though!

So often I feel like Paul when he says:

Rom 7:14
I don't understand myself at all,
for I really want to do what is right,
but I don't do it.
Instead, I do the very thing I hate.
NLT

I was reading Romans chapters 7 & 8 this morning and they are such a wonderful reminder of the fact that we can't live for God-without God.

We need Him and His Spirit to help us live this life. Our natural desires are sinful, they rush to sin, but if we belong to God we can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us in these weaknesses.

I encourage you to read those chapters if you are struggling with sin- and who among us is not?!

Romans 7 is a heavy read...but hold on because Romans 8 brings us hope. I re-wrote verses 9-14 into a confession/prayer using the word "I" in the place of "you." I was going to post it, but I think it would be much more effective if you did it yourself.

So, what's been your struggle??
It doesn't matter what the sin you stuggle with is...He already knows about it- in fact He's been talking to you about it (because He loves you so much), so why not choose today to address it.

Wisdom will make choices today that you will be glad you did tomorrow.

~Hot Topics~ Weapons of Mass Destruction

Grab your coffee- we've got things to discuss.

They couldn't find them in Iraq, but I see evidence of them in my own life far too often.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

NIV

There is no hiding these in Syria...they pop up when I am least expecting it and they destroy the peace, love and joy that God truly wants me (US) to have.

These are weapons so stealth and powerful that I can be thrown right off track in the matter of minutes when I ALLOW them to be effective in my life.

Let's look at a few WMD's that the enemy uses to cause destruction in my life...

and as ~HOT TOPICS~ goes- it is then your turn to interject your input on this subject.

*COMPLAINING

I can get myself in such a rut with complaining. I think of it as a "gateway" sin...it just opens the door to other rotten attitudes.

Phil 2:14-17
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. NIV

It destroys my peace and is linked hand in hand with-

*UNTHANKFULNESS

UGH! This one is especially dangerous. Our hearts can be set off track so quickly by not continuing to be thankful for ALL that the Lord has done.

Heb 12:28-29
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire." NIV

When I read blogs like Heather’s I realize that I have so much to be thankful for. She is walking through this difficult time with grace and not letting the cancer dictate her daily attitude and love for her God.

*CRITICISM

Matt 7:3-53

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. NIV

That pretty much says it all.
Who am I to put someone else down when I've got this telephone pole in my own eye!

*WORRY/FEAR

I can get myself in a frenzy getting worried about something that may or may not ever happen? Anybody else??

You start thinking about something and before you know it, your heart is pounding and you start reacting to a situation that has not even happened!

Psalm 91 has helped me tremendously in this. Here is a portion of it:

Ps 91:9-11
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling — even the LORD, who is my refuge — 10 then no harm will befall you,no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your way NIV

*PRIDE

Prov 16:18
18 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall. NIV

Need I say more?

*ANGER

The Word of God says it best:

Prov 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,but a wise man keeps himself under control. NIV

Eph 4:26-27

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. NIV

James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. NIV

Anger in and of itself is not sinful, but what we do with it can quickly become sin and destroy the fruit of the Spirit in our hearts.

Left to ourselves, these weapons will destroy us- thankfully, we have not been left to ourselves!!

2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV

Once again- He's the answer!
Don't you just love HIM!

He loves us far too much to leave us victims to these WMD's- He's made a way of escape and it is right into His loving arms. The key lies in our knowledge (and belief) of Him and His truth.

Let's bring this all together with this:

Gal 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV

Truth is so beautiful!

What pleases us?

Do you ever get "cravings?"
I do.
Sometimes I have felt so strongly that I NEED something.
I can become obsessed with wanting it.
It may be a small thing like chocolate/food...or it could be overwhelming NEED to go shopping because surely there is something out there that will fill this emptiness in me.

We are all at different places, but the tricks of temptation are the same.

Gen 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
Lie #1= Are you sure this is really wrong????

2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,

3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"

4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.
Lie #2= What God said is NOT true. It really won't hurt you at all to sin.

5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Lie #3= The truth is- it will be a GOOD thing for you to sin. It will make things BETTER!

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

All temptation takes this same road- satan has NO NEW TRICKS!
Do you think Eve was satisfied after she sinned?

I want, I need. These are thoughts that we need to keep in check. They may be the temptation to a trap.

Surely this will please me! But does it?

Do we really feel satisfied after indulging?

Could it be the temptation of a relationship that is drawing you? If the "friendship" has to be a secret- watch out ladies- satan is lurking!
Not all things that we desire are dangerous or sinful. But watch for the thoughts of "need" and "must have."

Ask yourself, why?

I love to shop, and chocolate is my friend! But when I start using these things to fill a need that God wants to fill, it becomes sinful.

(I use the example of chocolate, but sometimes it's just food in general!)

The whole thought for this post came from a phrase that has been going over and over in my head. It is one that John Piper wrote,

"we are far too easily pleased."

I know that I am far too easily pleased. I will settle for a "quick fix" of fun instead of lasting joy that comes from my times with the Lord.

It's like being parched, thirsting so desperately...

but then when offered a bottle of water,

we admire the label and the bottle but never open it and pour it into our mouth to receive the refreshment and nourishment that we need.

God has so much more for us.

We are far too easily pleased.

Another quote by John Piper that I look at every day:

"God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him."

As I'm writing this, this song just happens to be playing on my computer,

let it be the prayer of your heart, it's mine today.

None But Jesus

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored

When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days
All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord
Forevermore