Choosing to live the life

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other" Galations 5:16-25

"For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:21

The passages above clearly state how we SHOULD be living our lives and the consequences for not doing so. The bible CLEARLY states how to live a happy life and how to avoid a hard life! So why is it that we CHOOSE to live the hard life???? Why are we so weak? Why to we choose to be blind? Why do we choose the tragedy over the fairy tale? We wasts so much time in sin, and avoiding the ways of the Spirit. Just think of what we could accomplish if we only listened and acted!

God help us all, help me to be wise in Your Word! Help me to see that life has a purpose and that it doesn't have to be so hard!

Challenge: Think of 10 things that you do that are sinful! Be honest! Then take time to think about each one and write your reasons for your actions. What on EARTH is more important to you then following the will of God. I hope you can't think of anything. Then think about what changes would occur if you were to stop that sin. What benefits or blessings do you think you would get? Do the blessings outweigh the consequences? I pray that you (and I) can overcome those sins, Lord help us! We are weak but in you we are strong!

No Temptation's Seized a Man that he can't Overcome

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Thank You Lord. Today I have been faced with financial challenges and I have no idea what I am going to do. At first I felt stressed and worried but then I thought about yesterday and how I had asked You for help in every aspect of my life. I had also declared that I will wear Your yoke. And so I can only look at today's setbacks as a gift from you. If I truly believe that You will show me the way You'd like me to live and I know that You are in control.

The verse I have quoted above is a new/old favorite. I think I have an addiction.... I am a shopoholic. If I don't buy anything everday I feel like there's something wrong. It could be something small, groceries, lunch, whatever. Maybe God is curing me of my disease by taking away all funds possible. That's one way to look at it I guess!

So I am going to challenge myself with the challenge below. Thank you Lord for caring about me, through my troubles I know You are there, walking beside me. I pray that You will give me the will and the strength to conquer the areas in my life that need change. I thank You for challenging me today. Amen

Challenge #3: If there is something happening to you that you consider to be a hindrance, try to look from God's persepective and see if he is trying to teach you something. Maybe there is something in your life that you are doing that is not glorifying Him. Also for those shopoholics out there... try to buy nothing for oneday. Then try to only buy things that are a need, and not a want for a week. Keep your progress in a journal.