Well Let’s see, as quite a few of you know I was laid off at work just before the holiday. Bummer right?! Oh well. I see it as all apart of God’s plan. Do I know what’s next? No. Do I need to? No. I need just enough to take the next step. Talk about faith!
It hasn’t been easy. Where am I going to get money for itunes?!!! Yeah right what about for gas, phone bill, car insurance, food…etc. Yikes!
I’m still a little depressed about it. And I’ve fallen back into a few things over the holidays that I’ve struggled with in the past, we’ll just say I partied a little too hard on New Year’s eve, acted a fool, you get the idea. Now that’s what I meant by that we all need to be constantly reminded of God’s grace and how that is not who I am in Christ. Romans chapters 6-8, amazing! God is so awesome!
Not to cheapen grace but that we’re striving toward the goal, we’re running the race, we’re going to fall, but we have to get up and keep going. The best way I’ve heard it put is it’s not about the destination but the journey that got us there. A little too cliché, whatever. Grace is there because we’re still stuck in our flesh and we will mess up sooner or later. It’s inevitable. It’s how we handle the temptation when it comes that is key.
As of late I’ve been failing. Now that it has been realized, I’m getting up and keeping at the race, keeping at life, the “Christian” life. Trying my best to follow Christ but still something’s wrong. I can be a little analytical at times but something is wrong, it’s like I’m holding back. Not giving it all up to God, I’m still trying to do things my way or thinking I can do it alone but I can’t. I can’t go on like that. I’m only setting myself up for another failure. It has to be all given to Christ. I cannot hold anything back. If I don’t than I am not wholly submitting myself to Christ, and if He cannot have all of me how can he have any of me. The “Christian” is to be totally consumed by Christ, so when others see us they see Christ not us. We must die to the desires of the flesh, our selfish ways. How can we serve two masters?* (*See Matthew Ch. 6)
I am weak, but in my weakness I am strong. How is that possible? By Christ who lives within me. He is my strength*. That is the only way I can get up is through Christ giving me the strength to carry on. (*ref. Philippians 4:13)
So next time I’ll say “this didn’t work out last time, or the time before that…” I have to give it to Christ at that moment. Many people have died for Christ over the centuries and to some that may seem difficult but really it’s not, it is a far more difficult thing to live for Christ, day in…day out. Constantly watched by our peers, even judged by them. So then the weight of it lays even heavier or does it? Does it matter what others think? No! It should, in our feeble human minds, and does only matter to God. We are accountable to Him. Not that we aren’t supposed to be examples or ambassadors of Christ. But it is all for His glory. All to Jesus. He is my everything, my all in all.
I really liked my job, it didn’t pay a whole lot but I was able to influence others and make a positive impact for Christ there. I didn’t mind going in early in the morning and helping out wherever they asked me to. It was the first job I truly enjoyed. The people there were nice not that we didn’t have our differences at times but I am so glad to have worked there sharing the love of Christ with others. One thing that is such an answer to prayer and I see God doing a wondrous work is that one of my former co-workers showed interest in learning more about God’s word and started to go to Baltimore School of the bible with me. The second semester just started and I am so glad to be used of God in his life and I see him sharing God’s word with his wife and other family members.
So how does one get over the stupid stuff from the past that is dredged up again?
Repent and Believe. Turn from sin and live by Faith.
What good is it for me to dwell in shame over mistakes?
It would be better to not make them in the first place, but because I did I have to learn and move on.
Prayer helps immensely! So does reading the Bible.
Check these verses:
"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.” Acts 8:22
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14
Till next time…
Grace & Peace
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