As
a teenager, I adjusted my behavior to fit in with my peer group, and I followed
their lead. Little did I know, we were all on the path to pain and ruin,
because people without Christ in their life find it impossible not to sin.
Human
nature is bent on taking the path with the minimum amount of effort along with
the maximum capacity for pleasure. We slip into every type of immoral and
self-centered behavior, which causes us to reap destruction (Romans 3:23, 6:2,
10:9-10).
Sometimes,
we go to counselors, self-help groups, avidly read the philosophers' musings,
and diligently apply our self to "playing the game" in order to climb
the corporate ladder to success. We often spin our wheels; but, at other times,
we do blossom.
However,
only Jesus Christ creates true change in a person by exposing and eliminating
our desire to sin. His Word warns us not to allow even a little sin to enter
our life, because like yeast, it multiplies (Galatians 5:9).
God
hates sin; not only because He is holy, but also because He knows that when we
compromise our values, we put our self in a vulnerable position, which often
causes us anguish and misfortune, when He wants to support and protect us.
God
made provision for us through the cross of Calvary. When we ask Jesus to
forgive our sins, He freely exchanges our sins for His righteousness. From that
point on, we live our life following His lead, as He showers us with His
blessings.
Prayer:
Father
God, You commission us to tell others about Your love and provision for us, and
to point them to our Savior. It is often scary to share, but so often we reap
gratitude and huge smiles from those we talk to - even strangers in a retail
store. Keep us from storming into their personal space, but to simply say,
"I do not mean to intrude, but I just wanted to tell you that God loves
you and has wonderful plans for your life." Then, help us to be ready to
explain the hope we have within us (1 Peter 3:15).
Remind
us not to rely on our own plans, ideas and labors to serve You; but to
"hang out" like a branch on the Vine of Christ, and allow You to use
us to bear Your fruit for the nourishment of our little cosmos of time, matter
and space. We want others to see us and to glorify You (Matthew 5:16).
Thought
for the Day:
Even
as a Born Again Believer, I have learned that we sabotage our success by
several undisputable errors:
1.
We "own" our illness, and call it "My" illness.
2.
We view our mistakes as "failures", rather than as temporary
failings.
3.
We consider our lifestyle changes as "duties", instead of a
privileges.
4.
We feel hopeless rather than understand that we can hope in God, because He
always plants a seed for a miracle in every trial.
5.
We attempt to find true happiness and fulfillment outside of the center of
God's individual plans for us; on the other hand, the center of God's will is
the happiest place on earth.
6.
We give-in too easily to impatience; however, we can find real joy in allowing
patience to have a perfecting work in our soul - our thoughts, emotions and
choices.
7.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God; yet, as we mature in our
intimate union with Christ in us, it is so much easier to have faith in His
faithfulness.
8.
We regularly go through the check-out line in a retail store ignoring those in
line with us, as well as the cashier; but they are not there by accident, and
God wants us to take an interest in them, offer to pray with them, or let them
know we are praying for a special blessing for them that day.
9.
Sometimes, we get weary in our service to our King Jesus; nevertheless, even on
the darkest days, God's Son always shines.
10.
We often find it hard to wait for the spiritual seeds, which we plant in others,
to bear fruit; yet there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven,
including planting, watering and harvesting.
