Even the desires that can become evil!

Scripture Read: 1 Peter [5:6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, [7] casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. [8] Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. [10] And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. [11] To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

 Application:  I wonder if I have really understood this verse in it’s total. I know how not to worry over needs – but I wonder if I applied this to my desires – especially those that lead me to sin – would it change my approach on things. MacArthur states.-  ”Christians are to cast all of their discontent, discouragement, despair, and suffering on the Lord, and trust Him for knowing what He’s doing with their lives” If I would place even my sinful desires in that area, then I would have to admit that perhaps I am not trusting God to fulfill me in those areas. The desires themselves are not evil – it’s the place I give them in my life or how I try to satisfy those desires my way. I know I don’t want to do anything that is plain evil – by God’s grace I am past that in my life. So when I deal with any desire if I don’t take it to Him that is a lack of faith and maybe that is why I am still struggling with some of these issues. Father – forgive again – is all I can pray. I hate my sin in the inner man – but sometimes I am allowing my old man to rule. I repent anew and ask for Your empowerment. Help me glorify You in private as well as public!!! Thank you God for Your love and grace. For Christ’s sake cleanse me and enable me to see victory in these areas. I give you my days and my nights and I believe I will enjoy them more Your way than my way. I love You Lord. Please make this day a healthy one and not unfocused! I love You!

Defining the Definition

Scripture Read: [5:1] Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, [2] shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; [3] nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. [4] And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. [5] You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Application: I am being moved by You Lord to really study the idea of pride. Is it possible that I have defined it in such a limited way that I have missed how deceptive it can be and I am allowing it to exist in my life. I realize that at its base it means to lift yourself up, and I struggle with that but feel I have tried to keep an eye on that demon. Yet now I am wondering if some of the other issues in my life are not also a form of pride. I pray that as I meditate on this – will you lead me. Holy Spirit please open my eyes to the truth. I do not want to waste my life and investment because I was lazy. Grant me clear sight and honesty. As I continue to move away from certain lifestyle habits that I think are hurting me empower me to stay the course. Help me deal with the pain I am feeling and allow me to glorify You oh God!                 

To Suffer with Reason

Scripture Read: 1 Peter [12] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; [13] but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. [14] If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; [16] but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? [19] Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Application:  Father, I know, I know very little about suffering. You have sheltered me all my life. Now with RA and the side effects I am beginning to see what suffering is. I pray that I will not shame You in this trial. You know my weaknesses and I am still wrestling with two that I thought would be gone by now. I know that when I suffer due to those I learn less because they are self-inflicted. Please forgive me for my failures. Deliver me from these vices that torment my soul! I know I love You but I sense so much doubt of that because of my sin. But I must believe that Your commitment to me is sure or I will surely quit. I do not want to suffer – but if that is what must happen I so desire it to be from the enemy or from you – not from my failures. I ask you to forgive me for the times I let my flesh control. I want to turn away from that life and follow You with all my heart. I will cling to You and believe Your Word no matter what I feel. Thank You Lord for Your promises, I would be lost without them. I love you God!

Not in Some But All

Scripture Read: 1 Peter  [4:7] The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. [8] Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Be hospitable to one another without complaint. [10] As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [11] Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Application: If there were anything that I feel I fail in – it is here. I believe in the inner man I desire the Lord and His glory- but I yield too many times to the old man and his desires. Lord I really want to bring you glory in all that I do. Please help me to use this new discipline to carry me into the other areas of my life. Help me seek you 24/7. Thank you for your grace to me and my family. Holy Spirit, I ask for forgiveness in the way I can ignore you. This makes my heart harder – soften it to Your voice. God I know You can mold me – I offer myself anew this moment. I want to live an alert, sober life. I will need Your help. I love you Lord!               

Being Sober About Life

Scripture Read:  1 Peter  [4:7] The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. [8] Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Be hospitable to one another without complaint. [10] As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [11] Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Application:  For the most part I have remained in sound judgment – but I think I am lacking in the sober spirit that really leads to a strong prayer life. This has continued to be a problem for me. I talk to God all day but still have not really become consistent with a prayer list. I know this would help me and strengthen my walk with You Lord, yet it seems to elude me. I have begun some new disciplines this month and am seeing some good things – please help me God to see victory in all these areas. Lord I pray that you will enable me to develop a good prayer list and then use it. I commit to see this and the other areas on target by the end of the month. Thanks Lord for Your word. I feel so unworthy much of the time because I lack the disciplines that I know I should have. Grant me Your grace and enabling power to see these things come to fruition. I love You Lord.

Keeping the Balance

Scripture Read: 1 Peter  [4:1] Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2] so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. [3] For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. [4] And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you; [5] but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Application: When is it enough?! When have I had enough sin? The more I get to know You – the more sinful I feel. I hate my flesh and what it motivates me to do. I have seen the peace and joy of what it means to obey. That is the land I love, yet I find a terrible and constant battle dragging me down into the land of sin and all the terrible feelings that carries. I am so disappointed in myself at times. I thank You Father that you see me through Christ. I know I am accepted in the beloved. I am so full of joy because of that. God please deliver me from the old man and his appetites. I thirst for You Oh God. I will continue to push for this and because of You love and mercy I will see greater victory. I desire to be like Paul Father – knowing I am the greatest sinner I know yet knowing I have kept the faith and am running the race to finish. Help me Lord!                  

The Battle Continues

Scripture Read:  1 Peter  [4:1] Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2] so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. [3] For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. [4] And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you; [5] but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Application: I know what I want to do but still find it so hard to follow through on many times. I have just tasted several failures again and I feel so defeated. I think I really need to test my life – by doing my devos first everyday and then see where my strength is. I find that I am still living too much for my desires, when I know I want to live them for Him. You must get tired of me talking about this Lord – yet I do not want to stop, because that is what the enemy wants. Please help me, strengthen me to over come this nonsense and see You glorified in me. I really need Your strength to accomplish this. Enable me to confront my weaknesses and overcome them by Your power. Cleanse my mind and let me know victory. I do love you Lord.