Be Authentic!

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  25 Everyone who competes  in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever........27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   Training is something familiar to me.   I love to train for athletic events.  I don’t like to train by drinking 64 ounces of water a day.  My point is some of the things we do are easy for us and some are really hard.   We discipline our bodies so they don’t discipline us!!   When I was actively involved in alcohol rehab I preferred councilors that had “been there”.    If they were drinkers telling me how not to drink, I didn’t respect what they said.    Let’s run the race with endurance, perseverance and compassion!!   We will fall and get off course, but we can get back up and keep putting one foot in front of the other.     Personally I enjoy getting advice from people who know how to fall and get back up again!  They help me run the race as if I'm going for the prize!!🏆. If you’re the one giving advice, be encouraged to be authentic!!

A glance becomes a gaze

Proverbs 23:31 " Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper."  What are you gazing at?   What we set our attention on grows!  Many people struggle with food particularly sugar.  Personally I  don’t keep those “goodies” in the house.  It is really hard for me to go past a pan of brownies with out having”just a little”.   Pretty soon I look at the brownies and they are half gone, because I keep having “ just a little”.  First I gaze at them…. Then I eat them.    Sin is like that.    First we gaze at it, then we think….” Just a little……then.    Sin makes us feel separated from God.    Sin can be so alluring, we can gaze at it more than we gaze at God.     When this happens we are not only caught in the first sin we then become caught in the sin of idolatry as it becomes more important to us than God.   Ahhh.  What a slippery slope that starts with just a glance.     We all are tempted by different things, keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our Faith!!  When a particular sin takes root in my life , my prayers is, “ Lord, I am sorry, I am desiring this sin more than I am desiring you.   I want to desire You Lord! Please Lord change my heart!   Let me desire you above all else, else especially this sin!”   God already knows when we have something ahead of Him,,,,, confess it and let Him help you!! He will!!!

Persevere

 Romans 5:3 "Not only do, but we rejoice in our  sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, 4 perseverance, character and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."    ….8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”   Much of my suffering is because of my sinful behavior.   I truly thought I would be done sinning when I was born again.  Humane existence is full of sin.    I can rehash my behavior over and over but that doesn't help at all.  For me to live a healthy life in Jesus.  I need to forget what lies behind and press forward to the high calling of God.   We are defined by who we are in Jesus.    Our sins (even the ones 2 minutes ago) are forgiven and forgotten!!!   Let's walk in our newness of life.  No matter how tempting it is to play our mistakes over and over again in our heads.   Persevere!!!     

Heed the warnings

Proverbs 22:3. " A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."  I have said, “ I just kinda, fell into it”.  I didn’t  mean to do it, it just happened.”    Truth is before I sin I usually have some warnings.   The Holy Spirit starts tugging at my heart warning me.  I get uncomfortable in the situation.  I hear my self say, “this is a bad idea”.  Often I get convicted of my error,  but lack the “fight” to stop and do what’s right.   Psalm 46:10 “ Be still and know that I am God.”   We each have his still small voice of truth in us.   He gently leads us.  When I follow His still,  small voice ….even though it’s against what’s easiest and against what my friends are doing, I have the most peace.    Today, when you are feeling anxious about something you are doing, that you KNOW isn’t Gods plan for you.   STOP!! You can stop.  You are more than a conquer  through Jesus  Christ!!  Use His strength to heed to the warnings He is giving you!!😇🙏❤️

Safe in His arms

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good.  A refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him."    TRUST in Him!!  I’m envisioning being safe in my Fathers arms as a way to “ Trust” in God.   I am envisioning His loving arms around me and around those that I love in all circumstances.    Nothing is too big for God!!   When I remember how Big God is I can see how small my problems are.   Today be inspired to walk in the safety and security we have in Jesus Christ.   He is constantly holding you safely in His everlasting arms!!😇🙏❤️

He writes it in our hearts!! We know!

Jeremiah 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.  “ I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.  34 No longer will man teach his neighbor, or man his brother, saying “Know the Lord” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” Declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”   Wow these are powerful verses!!!   He writes His law on our hearts and our minds. We have a new level of "sin consciousness ".  The closer I try to walk with our Lord the more I am convicted of my various sins.   When I intentionally chose to do the sin I know it is wrong I get a hardening  of my heart.   This separates me from feeling  close to God.  It doesn't actually separate me from Him because nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.   But I feel separated when I intentionally choose sin.   These verses remind me I can have a fresh start every moment of every day.   He will constantly write His law on my heart and my mind and He will also constantly forgive my wickedness and remember my sins no more!!!     This constant forgiveness helps me continually keep trying to honor Him.     We all fall short!  Walk in His righteousness not our sin.  No matter how many times you stumble.   Keep getting up with Jesus!!! 😇🙏❤️

Quarreling?

Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel  is like breaching a dam; so drop a matter before a dispute breaks out."   …….22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”   I used to think,  "I had to be right".   My desire to be "right", locked me in to not seeing the validity of the opposing  view.  Today, I am much more likely to simply agree to disagree and enjoy what is, instead of trying to make things the way I want things to be.    Being content with not being "right " being content to not open up an argument and simply accepting the other person exactly as they are.  Is truly helping me have a cheerful heart.   A cheerful heart is good medicine.    How are you doing in this matter?   Do you need to be right? Do you need people to be like you?   Can you simply love people where they are? The cost of not ..... dries up the bones.😇🙏❤️