I have mentioned in the past my frequent appeals to God to free me from certain strongholds of sin (read temper). I have begged, pleaded, cried and prayed. Once again this morning I felt an urging in my spirit that God does not do "a la carte" sin removal. He wants all of us. Every cell.
If that seems like a tall order to your weary heart, there is some earth-shatteringly good news for you in scripture. Here goes..."Come to Me (Jesus says), all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT." (Matt. 11:28-30, NKJV). He is patient with us, kindly and gently leading us along, strengthening us and doing all of the heavy lifting. What a Savior! As He makes us more and more like Him, we respond by yielding more and more of ourselves to Christ. The end result is spiritual growth. When we fall, it is Jesus himself who lifts us up and dusts us off.
How many have forgotten that life in Christ is simple? I know I have, many, many times. Spend time with God in prayer, both speaking and listening. Pray about everything, all day long. Ask for direction, guidance, the discernment of the Holy Spirit in every situation. Saturate your mind with the Word of God, the Bible, both by personal reading time, and by finding sound Bible teachers to instruct you, such as a great pastor or Sunday School teacher. Read books by godly Christian authors. Knowing the truth of God's Word is the ultimate defense against Satan's lies and distractions. Refuse to allow television programs, books, magazines or internet content that would quench the Holy Spirit's work in your heart or dim your vision as a saint of God, intent on honoring Him in every single thing you do, enter your personal space. Guard the gates of your heart at all cost. Turn away from temptation by calling on God. Give your all to Him, and His Holy Spirit will fill you to the brim. Last, but certainly not least, make the most of every opportunity to serve others as the Holy Spirit directs you, showing love to all, but make sure your closest companions are those Christians who will strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
Inevitably, while you are doing all of the above, you will, because you are human, stumble and fall. Sometimes heart-breakingly hard. DO NOT let this derail you! "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, /Who heals all your diseases, /Who redeems your life from destruction, /Who crowns you with lovingkindness and TENDER MERCIES, /Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:1-5, NKJV)
If that seems like a tall order to your weary heart, there is some earth-shatteringly good news for you in scripture. Here goes..."Come to Me (Jesus says), all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT." (Matt. 11:28-30, NKJV). He is patient with us, kindly and gently leading us along, strengthening us and doing all of the heavy lifting. What a Savior! As He makes us more and more like Him, we respond by yielding more and more of ourselves to Christ. The end result is spiritual growth. When we fall, it is Jesus himself who lifts us up and dusts us off.
How many have forgotten that life in Christ is simple? I know I have, many, many times. Spend time with God in prayer, both speaking and listening. Pray about everything, all day long. Ask for direction, guidance, the discernment of the Holy Spirit in every situation. Saturate your mind with the Word of God, the Bible, both by personal reading time, and by finding sound Bible teachers to instruct you, such as a great pastor or Sunday School teacher. Read books by godly Christian authors. Knowing the truth of God's Word is the ultimate defense against Satan's lies and distractions. Refuse to allow television programs, books, magazines or internet content that would quench the Holy Spirit's work in your heart or dim your vision as a saint of God, intent on honoring Him in every single thing you do, enter your personal space. Guard the gates of your heart at all cost. Turn away from temptation by calling on God. Give your all to Him, and His Holy Spirit will fill you to the brim. Last, but certainly not least, make the most of every opportunity to serve others as the Holy Spirit directs you, showing love to all, but make sure your closest companions are those Christians who will strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
Inevitably, while you are doing all of the above, you will, because you are human, stumble and fall. Sometimes heart-breakingly hard. DO NOT let this derail you! "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, /Who heals all your diseases, /Who redeems your life from destruction, /Who crowns you with lovingkindness and TENDER MERCIES, /Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:1-5, NKJV)
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