Capture every thought.
2 Corinthians 10:5
If you're trying to overcome a particular habit, learn to recognise your"triggers." Become aware of what's going on around you and within you when you're tempted. Every action begins as a thought. Before you surrender in reality you first surrender in your mind. That's why Paul writes, "Capture every thought...make it give up and obey Christ."
If you struggle with alcohol, don't eat in a bar.
If you battle pornography, don't linger around newsstands or bring it into your home via the Internet.
If living habit-free is a serious commitment, plan your life around that commitment!
As long as you entertain the idea that you can break the habit in your own strength, nothing will change. If you could you'd have done it by now, right? Furthermore, as long as you're operating in will power alone,you won't experience God's power. It takes humility to acknowledge defeatthen turn to God. But unless you do you'll get nowhere. Jesus said, "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine; neither can you, unless you abide in Me...for without Me you can do nothing" ( John 15:4-5 ).
You must come to the place where you make a conscious decision each day, and sometimes each hour, to turn your life and will over to God and pray, "Lord, I don't have the ability to overcome this, but I choose not to give in. Strengthen me now by Your Holy Spirit." That's a prayer God will answer! Why? Because He always empowers our choices when they line up with His will!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Be A Joy-carrier!
The fruit of the Spirit is...joy.
Galatians 5:22
Most of us are far too serious for our own good. We're uptight about everything: being five minutes late, getting stuck in traffic, waiting in line, somebody giving us a wrong look, overcooking a meal, gaining a pound, discovering a wrinkle, making an honest mistake; you name it - we lose all perspective!
The problem is, we have unrealistic (and unscriptural) expectations. God didn't say He'd take us out of our troubles; He said He'd bring us through them and make us stronger.
If you want to experience the joy Jesus promised, do two things:
(1) Admit that your uptightness is largely because of the way you've decided life should be.
(2) Understand that your expectations are causing most of your frustrations. If you keep expecting things to be a certain way and they aren't, you'll always be upset.
Here's an idea: try approaching each day without all those expectations. For example, don't require everybody to be friendly; then when some are you'll be delighted. Don'texpect your day to be trouble-free; instead when problems come, say:"Thank you Lord for a chance to grow in grace." Do it, and you'll seehow much better everything is. Rather than fighting against life you'll be flowing with it. And pretty soon, if you work at it, you'll enjoyyour life more - and other people will enjoy being around you much moretoo! That's why Paul wrote, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ).
Galatians 5:22
Most of us are far too serious for our own good. We're uptight about everything: being five minutes late, getting stuck in traffic, waiting in line, somebody giving us a wrong look, overcooking a meal, gaining a pound, discovering a wrinkle, making an honest mistake; you name it - we lose all perspective!
The problem is, we have unrealistic (and unscriptural) expectations. God didn't say He'd take us out of our troubles; He said He'd bring us through them and make us stronger.
If you want to experience the joy Jesus promised, do two things:
(1) Admit that your uptightness is largely because of the way you've decided life should be.
(2) Understand that your expectations are causing most of your frustrations. If you keep expecting things to be a certain way and they aren't, you'll always be upset.
Here's an idea: try approaching each day without all those expectations. For example, don't require everybody to be friendly; then when some are you'll be delighted. Don'texpect your day to be trouble-free; instead when problems come, say:"Thank you Lord for a chance to grow in grace." Do it, and you'll seehow much better everything is. Rather than fighting against life you'll be flowing with it. And pretty soon, if you work at it, you'll enjoyyour life more - and other people will enjoy being around you much moretoo! That's why Paul wrote, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ).
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Chosen
You did not choose me, but I chose you.
John 15:16
With full knowledge of your past failings and present defects of character, God chose you anyway. That's mind-blowing grace! It's also atruth that's hard to hold on to when you're having a bad day and under-performing spiritually.
What does it mean to be chosen?
(1) To be chosen is to be seen as unique! Each one of us cries out to be noticed, to be special, not just one more of the same. And with God,"everybody is somebody." In His eyes there are no misfits, rejects, or second-class citizens.
(2) To be recognised as having something to contribute! Chosen people are significant. Their biographies get written and read because their stories matter. They establish God's Kingdom on the earth. Understand this: God thinks you have something to contributethat no one else can.
(3) To be wanted by God! For people with empty hearts and wounded pasts, the only true basis for self-worth - is God's unchanging opinion of you revealed in His Word.To be chosen by men often means to be chosen at someone else's expense. But God doesn't choose in that way. No, His plan for you does not diminish the lives of others; it enhances them.
In God's plan, those who are chosen are always chosen for one reason - to serve. When we begin to see one another as being chosen by God, we'll begin to love and respect one another in a way we never have before. And that will profoundly change every relationship we've got.
John 15:16
With full knowledge of your past failings and present defects of character, God chose you anyway. That's mind-blowing grace! It's also atruth that's hard to hold on to when you're having a bad day and under-performing spiritually.
What does it mean to be chosen?
(1) To be chosen is to be seen as unique! Each one of us cries out to be noticed, to be special, not just one more of the same. And with God,"everybody is somebody." In His eyes there are no misfits, rejects, or second-class citizens.
(2) To be recognised as having something to contribute! Chosen people are significant. Their biographies get written and read because their stories matter. They establish God's Kingdom on the earth. Understand this: God thinks you have something to contributethat no one else can.
(3) To be wanted by God! For people with empty hearts and wounded pasts, the only true basis for self-worth - is God's unchanging opinion of you revealed in His Word.To be chosen by men often means to be chosen at someone else's expense. But God doesn't choose in that way. No, His plan for you does not diminish the lives of others; it enhances them.
In God's plan, those who are chosen are always chosen for one reason - to serve. When we begin to see one another as being chosen by God, we'll begin to love and respect one another in a way we never have before. And that will profoundly change every relationship we've got.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Lent is a time when we relive the Passion of Christ.
Let it not be just a time when our feelings are roused,
but let it be a change that comes through cooperation
with God's grace in real sacrifices of self.
Let it not be just a time when our feelings are roused,
but let it be a change that comes through cooperation
with God's grace in real sacrifices of self.
Prayer of Thomas Merton
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you....
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
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