Josh Hamilton was not a loser

I know the World Series is old news, but I wanted to let you know that it is still on my mind. My household was rooting for the Rangers. We just knew they had the championship in game six! But they blew it.

Regardless of the outcome of the series, Josh Hamilton was not a loser. You see, his victory (and mine) comes from Jesus Christ. If you don't know his story, his amazing testimony, I suggest you read his book Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back.

So many times in our lives we are caught up in winning and losing, being on top, that we lose sight of what is really important and that is our salvation. Without salvation, the gift from our Father, nothing else matters.

So, can you say that you are a winner because you have victory in Jesus?

Days 84-90

So, I want to say thanks for waiting patiently for my final reflections. We were only vacation last week and I stored all my reflections on the iPad.

Day 84
On Carson's closet door, Colin created a scene depicting today's scripture. It is made of masking tape. When he made it, he knew the scripture behind it. Now that Carson is old enough, he asks frequently for me to tell him what the crosses mean.

I am always amazed at the "believing thief." Even at death, he believed in Jesus.  I wonder how he heard of Jesus. Was he up Gino good and overheard someone's conversation or did he sit at the feet of  Jesus once?

Regardless, he believed. Regardless, he was forgiven. Regardless, he was saved.

May we never doubt Jesus. May we never mock him.  May we stand up for him, even to the point of death.

Day 85
After reading Matthew 27:45-54, there were a couple of things that struck me. First, I think about the onlookers saying, " Let's see if He will save him." this reminded me of the thief from yesterday. Yes, this all could have been stopped. However, that was not God's plan. Without these events, this horrible death of our Jesus, death would not have been defeated, our path to salvation would have been broken.

Secondly, I think about the sadness in verse 54, "Truly this was the Son of God." I think this was sad because the guards had just realized the truth of it all. They had just crucified Christ. Imagine the unbelief of who He was, those mocking Jesus. Then all the signs of his death occurring in front of you. Oh, the heartache.

We must never stand by in disbelief. We must not wait until it is too late to believe.  The time for us to know, to believe, and to put our trust in Jesus is now.  How sad it would be to come to the end of our lives and then realize what we had missed out on.


Day 86
He is risen! What great news!

It seems I have always known the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I have never questioned it.  Yet, when I surrendered my life to Jesus, the events became so much more powerful. They have more meaning. They have made me into who I am today.

It hurts us when we lose a loved one. I have never witnessed a death, although I have been in the room shortly after. When Pa Tootsie died, I saw his lifeless body in the hospital bed. That was so difficult. The nurses asked us to leave so they could "prepare him" for us.  Then there is the pain of the first viewing of the body at the funeral home.  Sometimes, it is almost a relief.  Seeing a body that is no longer in pain.  So, I can only imagine how these women must have felt.

You see, they knew Jesus. They served Him. They learned from Him. They loved Him. They saw him crucified. They witnessed The Word come to life before their very eyes. They found his tomb empty.  What a blessing it was for them to be there and witness all of these things. How blessed that they were chosen to be the first to be told the glorious news, "He is risen!"

Day 87
I am a firm believer that we are not created equal. Now I don't mean that some people are better than others. I just mean that we are not the same. A long time problem with lots of women is that we constantly compare ourselves to other women. We want their talents, their hair, their wardrobes, their bodies. Then, we want to do things that men do.  I will be the first to admit that I am not cut out to do a man's job. I am not a wieney, but I know my limitations.

I know for a fact that I am so truly blessed to be a woman.  I get to experience so many wonderful things: the incredible aches, pains, and joys of pregnancy and child birth, the "needed" feeling from my children when only mom will do, the bond shared with other Christian women, the gift of encouragement. Being a woman is a wonderful gift.

Jesus had a special relationship with women. He gave them the love they so desired. He taught them. He gave them opportunities to serve and here, in Luke 24:9-12, he chose women to be the first witnesses to his resurrection. What a blessing!

As women, God provides us with so many amazing opportunities. We should never stand by wanting to do things that are not our responsibility, or our jobs.  We should take advantage of what Jesus has planned for us.

Day 88
I've mentioned before that my faith in Christ is growing. I trust him. I know there is a specific plan laid out for my life. I have no idea what the future holds. However, I am His. Whatever the plan, I have faith that he will keep his promises.  I don't want to come face to face with Jesus and him ask, "Why did you doubt me?"

I also don't want him to ask me why I didn't stand up for him.  You see, I think a lot of times I don't say or do things because I fear that I don't know enough about his word. I can't really quote the Bible. I remember what I read, but I can't tell where it is located. I am still learning. However, I can't use that as an excuse. Others must know what I am about now. I must speak up for Jesus now. I must live for him now. I must let him extinguish my fears now.

Day 89
Today's scripture, Luke 24:36-49, reminds me of the song I Can Only Imagine. Today, we are walking in faith. We have not seen Jesus face to face. We have heard the Word, and we have seen his works. We chose to believe in that which we have not seen.

But oh, what a glorious day that will be when we are face to face with Jesus.  Will we stand in awe? Will we fall to our knees? Will we not be able to believe our eyes? I can only imagine!

Day 90
Jesus.

My friend.

My redeemer.

My healer.

My protector.

My teacher.

My savior.

My life.

Jesus.

There is none like him. There never will be.  Became to earth to live as a human. He lived a perfect life, yet was crucified and bore the sins of all humanity.

Let me say that again.

Jesus lived a perfect life. Yet he bore the sins of all humanity.

My sins.  Your sins.

Jesus died a horrible death so that we would not have to.

He fulfilled the word of God.

I am so thankful for Jesus.  I am thankful for what he has done in my life and thankful for what he will accomplish through me.

Jesus doesn't need me. He doesn't need you.  However, we need him.  I am so glad that I opened my heart to him when I did.

Dear Sweet Jesus, how I love you.

Day 83 - The Nails

The plan is falling into place. Everything that has been prophesized is happening.

Can you imagine being there?

Can you imagine being a follower of Jesus, having met  him or heard him teach at this time in his ministry and then be a witness to what was unfolding?

When Beth Moore asked us to describe how this might feel, to know what had been taught and see it actually happen, how would that feel?

One word that I came up with was sickening. 

You know the feeling....

There is this big knot in the bottom of your stomach. It is wiggling and moving upward.  You break out into a cold sweat and feel faint.  You feel at any moment you will vomit.  Your mind is in total disarray.  You keep thinking, "Is this real?"  Its not that you didn't believe. Its just that you hope there was something missing.

But, it is real. This is the way it is supposed to be.  You knew all along. You thought you understood.  This is where your faith must show.  This is where you must show that you are His, regardless of your feelings. 

I picture the woman who played the Mother of Jesus in The Passion of the Christ.  There was pain in her eyes, in her face.  You could tell she wanted to stop what was going on. So many I'm sure wanted to stop it. We watch the movie and read the scripture and think how terrible it all was....the spitting, the cat o nine tails, the mocking, the heaviness of the cross, the crown of thorns, the nails, the crucifixtion.  Yes, it was terrible. It was gory. It was horrible. 

It was for us. 

On the radio one day the question was asked, "If you could go back in time to one particular moment and make a change, would would that moment be?"  A caller commented that he would go back to the crucifixtion.  How I'm glad he can't do that.  That would change God's plan. That would take away my salvation.

Jesus was held up on that cross by nails....nails of love for us.  I know it is a horrible act against another soul, but without his pain, the path to salvation and eternal life in heaven would not exist.

Dear Jesus, I can't imagine your pain and torment.  I can't imagine it at all.  But you knew Jesus, you knew what would happen when you came to earth. Yet, you chose to come anyway.  You chose to teach. You chose to live as man. You chose to die a horrible death.  And YES! You rose again!  How I praise you for that.  Thank you for chosing me.  Thank you for making a way for me.  I owe you my life. I am yours!

Day 82 - King of the Mountain

It seems that the pharisees were always trying to catch Jesus in something. They would ask him questions, and Jesus would ask them a question, making them answer their own questions. They tried to fool him into admitting he was a fake.

Are we too like this at times? Do you make God so small, that he can't provide for you? Do you put on your church face and don't really believe what Jesus is capable of doing? Do you try to convince yourself that you are fine without him? Maybe we all do at least one of these things at some point.

Regardless of how hard we try to belittle him, trying to make ourselves bigger, better, God is still the One and Only. He is all powerful, all knowing, all encompassing. There is nothing he can't do. There is no problem he can't handle.

Jesus came to earth for a purpose. God's plan of salvation was to be carried out. It could have very easily been called off at anytime. I am so thankful that Jesus carried on. We should give him the honor, glory, and praise he deserves. We should give him our all. He should be the center of our lives. We should humbly hand over our burdens. And never should doubt him.

Day 81 - a Serious Case of Denial

As I read today's scripture, I felt so bad for Peter. Remember he was the one that told Jesus he would go with him "to prison and to death," (Luke 22:33). Now he has totally denied his Lord.

Haven't we all done that?

Of course we have denied knowing those crazy relatives of ours or old aquaintances. We jokingly talk about those instances.

But denying Christ....it is hard to admit that we've done that because it sounds so....so...brutal. My stomach turns just saying those two words: denying Christ.

Now, you may be thinking that you never told anyone that you weren't really a Christian or that he never really did anything for you or that you worshipped him on Sunday, but there are so many ways that we deny him in our plain old every day life.

Did you skip church Sunday to sleep in?

Did you stay home to watch Kentucky play instead of attend revival?

Did you engage in conversation that you know wasn't pleasing to him?

Did you listen as coworkers talked about someone, yet never spoke an encouraging word?

I think in all of these things we are denying Christ. We are denying him to be the center of our lives. We are putting other things first. We are acting in the flesh instead of being led by the Spirit. Maybe these things don't seem as bad as what Peter did, but if we continue to partake in things we see as petty, they soon consume us and lead us astray.

We realize(hopefully) what we've done and we weep.

The good news is that Jesus forgives us. He knows how wretched we are before we even realize what we've done. He loves us anyway. He can and will restore us if we ask him to.

Day 80 - Please, Father

We ache when our children ache.

My Carson has been experiencing leg pain for the last couple of months. We've kept an eye on him and became very cautious. When he would be in pain, we would comfort him the best we could. The last straw was one night last week he was all stooped down walking. He said it made him feel better. The next day he saw the pediatrician, had x-rays and blood work. All tests came back HEALTHY.

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

The fact that he hurt bothered me. Just like the times I held him as he had his breathing spells. Each time, I felt helpless. I knew I was limited in my own power. However, God can do anything.

He could have chosen to make the test results come back NOT GOOD. Just like he could have taken the cup of suffering from Jesus. I am thankful that Carson is healthy and I am thankful that Jesus died for my sins.

In everything, God has a plan. In his plan we are going to have trials. Regardless of what the season places us in, we must have faith in him and be accepting of his will. As a mother, I'll admit that it was hard to pray for Carson to be healthy and at the same time pray for acceptance of God's will.

Day 79 - Salvation's Song

I love to sing. I'm just not any good. My favorite songs are full of emotion. There is nothing like singing out to God, lip quivering, tears falling, expressing thanksgiving for all he has done.

Seven years ago, a lost soul was saved. My heart cried out to God. He  wrapped his loving arms around me. He forgave me of my wretchedness. He guides me daily.  Owe what I owe him!

When people do something nice, we are thankful and feel the need to repay the act of kindness. We don't want their deed to go unnoticed. It might hurt their feelings.

Think about what all God has done for you. 

I look at my own life. I never thought I would be as blessed as I am today.  I am healthy, I have a home, a job, a precious family. So many other blessings as well, but most importantly.....

God saved my soul from eternal Hell.  

How do you repay that?

You can't. I can't.

We must simply devote our lives to Jesus Christ, just as in Psalm 116.  Our lives must be full of service to him.  Our lives should be a living testimony to what God has done for us. There is no better way to live.

The Lord offered me the cup of salvation. 

I accepted it.

I owe him my life.

Day 78 - Sifting Wheat

Trials and suffering are all a part of life. We all go through things we would rather not. Things happen that we thought we would never experience. I think for a moment the times we say, "I will never...."

Never say never.

When a friend of mine and her husband were building their house, I asked if it was going to be brick or have siding. My friend said, "Brick. He said he would never live in a plastic house." guess what. They now live in a plastic house.

Another friend said she would never own a van. Now? She drives her 3 kids around in her minivan.

Never say never.

We should say "When I....."

From what I have learned, I can say, "Lord, when I....., will you please....."

When I.......

He will.....

FORGIVE
GUIDE
LOVE
SHOW MERCY
BE PATIENT
ALWAYS BE THERE


I thank you Lord that when I, not if I, but when I fall, mess up, deny you, hurt you, whatever I am going to do that is not in your will, that you will still love me. You will help me. You will have mercy on me. I am so glad Lord that you know me better than Satan knows me.

Day77 -Still teaching, still learning

As a teacher, I often get frustrated when my students just don't get it.  I have said it 100 times & I have showed them how just as many.  Still they don't get it. Sometimes, I forget they are children. Their minds little, unable to comprehend. Sometimes I forget their circumstances. For so many kids, their priority is basic survival. School is not a priority.

Aren't we sometimes like this?

Does God sometimes feel like throwing his hands in the air and say, "What do you not get? It isn't that hard!"

I think sometimes maybe he does.

Maybe those are the times we look back and reflect, "What was I thinking?"

Maybe God sometimes asks, "what are you thinking?" 

I am so thankful that He is patient and doesn't give up on me. I can be a real dork sometimes. As humans, we lose our patience and want to give up on others when they don't get it.  God doesn't do that. He keeps after us. He remembers we have little minds and we sometimes can't, or possibly don't want to comprehend what he is trying to teach us. 

Day 76 - The Last Supper

I remember taking part in my first Lord's Supper. It was very emotional. I was a new Christian so the meaning was so very real for me.

Later, I would have to sit with my children and explain what it was about and why they couldn't partake in the ritual. I remember Colin sitting with JD our former youth minister and he was explaining the symbolism to him. Now Colin is able to observe the Lord's Supper with us and Carson is the one with the questions.


I simply can not imagine what Christ was feeling this night. To know that the activity is taking part in was symbolic of his death. Usually, when something dreaded is about to happen, we try to shy away from it or go into denial. Yet Jesus didn't. He willing took his cup.

I think that if God is giving us a cup of suffering, we usually accept it with a feeling of dread. That is not a sin unless we don't admit our feelings to God and then become bitter and disobedient.

Christ is the ultimate example.

When we are burdened, when we are dreading what lays before us, we must place our TRUST in him and have FAITH for he has over come the world for us.

Day 75 - Preparing the Lamb

Lately, I've come to realize that God is always preparing us for somthing.  He hands us a cup and expects obedience.  Sometimes it is easy to obey. Other times it is difficult. 

When preparing for events at our home, we have to clean the house....really clean.  Because of our busy lifestyles, the mail and old school work pile up on the counter and table.  Then I hurriedly clean out the diaper bag of dirty clothes and those pile up as well.  Then there is the toys scattered throughout EVERY room of the house.  And last we have LAUNDRY. I absolutely positively highly dislike putting away socks.  Oh, the matching and "folding" of socks.  YUCK!  I'd rather change a poopy diaper.  But I know if I don't get all of the chores caught up, then the event won't turn out as it should.

You see, God has this final event planned.  We can't comprehend what it is.  But he knows.  Each day he is preparing us for that event.  Sometimes we happily go along with his plans and sometimes we may do it kicking and screaming like when we have to "do the socks." 

There is something I feel like he has called me today right now.  I'm uncomfortable with it because the person I am dealing with is sometimes intimidating.  She is too smart for her own good sometimes.  She doesn't believe what I believe.  Yet, I think God is wanting me to witness to her.  Some days it is like I'm "doing socks" because my words and actions aren't matching up with what I feel they should be.

I feel like God is preparing me for some other things as well.  So as I try my best to obey, I have to have FAITH in his plan and his promises. 

Day 74 - Judas

I am always amazed at people who don't believe in Satan. That is such a scary thought. Satan is real. We can not make him small, but we cannot make him out to be bigger than Jesus either.

Judas.

Ah, Judas.


We can look at him and his actions and probably decided we don't like him because he betrayed our Jesus.

Satan knew what was(n't) in his heart. He used that for his own good.

We have an awesome lesson to learn here. If Satan could "get" Judas, one of the twelve," he can just as easily get one of us. All he has to do his attack at our weaknesses. He can do that so easily if we are not guarded by The Word. Maybe today we should all take a step back, examine ourselves, and strengthen our defenses by placing Jesus at the center of our lives and placing ourselves at the center of His will.

Day 73 - The Beginning of the End

There are so many events we anticipate throughout our lives.  Many of them with joy and excitement: 16th birthday, graduation, wedding, birth of children.  With these milestones, comes a mix of emotions from excitement to nervousness.

In today's reading, we have Jesus' entry into Jeruselum. 

Yes. It was the beginning of the end.

If we had been in his situation, about to do and have done what Jesus experienced, would we have went? Would we have taken a detour? Would we have gone kicking and screaming? Would we have rode in on that donkey saying, "Ok, let's get this over with?" 

It always amazes me to look at Jesus and know that HE KNEW what was in store for him. HE KNEW God's will without a shadow of a doubt. HE KNEW and HE OBEYED.

Would we? 

If we knew what God had planned for our lives, would we obey or would we try to change things?

Consider the ups and downs of life, your life.

I immediately think of Jennifer McKinney and Angie Smith. They have experienced heartache and anguish over their children.  I think of my sweet friend Glenda and coworker and former teacher Sandy and what they experienced with their adult sons.  I think of the ones who have hurt and cried and have just kept on.  Would they do it all over again if they knew the end result? 

In our sermon on Sunday, our preacher said, "Your cup of suffering can make you bitter or it can make you better." Oh, how true that is.

I don't understand God's ways. I do truly believe that he has a plan.  My responsibility as a Christian is to trust his plan. To put my faith in him.  Cups of suffering are meant for us to grow, to become stronger Christians, to know him and love him more.

I pray that whatever God places in my cup, that I will accept it with grace and thanksgiving.  That it would never change my love for him. That it would make me better, not bitter.  Jesus suffered for us. We shouldn't find it hard to believe that we too will experience suffering.  Through whatver God places before us, Jesus is the ultimate example of how to handle it.

Day 72 - Things to Watch For

Oh, dear Jesus!  Are you coming soon? 

That would be my question for him.  Why would I even wonder if his return is near?  Have you turned on the news lately? 

Our world is a mess.  Sin runs amuck.  Satan is at work.  People have pushed God away.  I think he is trying to get our attention.

Devastation is everywhere.  We see it everyday with natural disasters and unspeakable crimes.  Just tonight, several counties aways, a couple was found murdered. An AMBER alert went out for their child and another juvenile.  Although details haven't been released, we can assume those juveniles were involved somehow.  The world is a scary place.  The signs are there that Jesus is coming soon and we desperately need Him. 

I am so glad I know Him.  What a blessing to know that my eternal home is with him regardless of what happens today or tomorrow.  Thank you, Lord for that assurance.

Day 71- unmistakeable

Being a child of God is so exciting. We are blessed in so many ways. One of those blessings is anticipating Christ's return.

Here in Luke 21, we see what events will lead up to His return. After reading, I have to look around to see if Jesus is peeking around the corner. So many things scripture tells us will happen prior to the Second Coming are in full effect. Our world is a mess. Evil is running amuck. God is speaking to us. Are we listening?

Beth Moore asked if we have any questions about the return of Christ. I would hope we do. I know I do. Although I have questions, my faith needs no answers.

When my Jesus returns it will be unmistakable. It will be awesome. If he were to come today...I am so glad I am his.

Day68 - money troubles

Have you ever stopped to think how much of your time is consumed by money? Money is a necessary evil so to speak. We have to have it, but it causes so many problems. If you don't have enough of it, you can't pay your bills. If you have too much of it, it can cause greed. Not knowing how to handle money can ruin our lives. We can go into debt to the point of property repossession. We can get greedy with our money that we save it all up and it goes to waste. We can make it our god so very easily.

I think this story today can extend past money. Other things can be our gods: fishing, golf, video games, Internet, pornography, drugs, food, rest. Whatever we put before the One and Only because our false idol.

In order to be a follower of Jesus, we must give up the things of this world and devote ourselves FULLY to Him.

Day 67 - Too Good for Your Own Good?

At school, our students have behavior sheets.  On the first day of school, we go over the sheet to let the students know that if they do the things on that sheet, then they will get a mark.  A mark is not good.  At the end of the week, students get a conduct grade based on their behavior.  This week, I have marked sheets for sleeping in class, disrupting class, talking while the teacher was talking, and stealing.  My own personal child got a mark on his sheet today. He was talking while the teacher was talking.  Regardless of what is marked on the behavior sheet, I still love my students (and my own child). 

I am so glad that God doesn't grade us on a behavior sheet.

You know, I think I am pretty good person.  I try to obey God the very best that I can.  I try to keep His commandments. 

I think back to the questions that Beth Moore asked with this scripture/lesson.  I had to laugh because as "the certain ruler" said he had kept those commandments from his youth, he seemed to be saying he was pretty much perfect.  Oh, if that were only true.  I have to admit that I have not kept those commandments from my youth.  The best one, probably the one that I talk to my own children and students about is Honor thy father and thy mother. Can you say smart mouth and roll your eyes? 

The fact of the matter is that we are not perfect, no matter how hard we try to be.  I stress this to my students who just break down in tears when they get a behavior sheet mark.  I tell them, "It is just one mark, you made a mistake.  We learn from our mistakes and move on."  As Christians, we do that as well.  Make a mistake and learn from it. 

Beth Moore did talk about being different, something we have discussed often within this study.  Christians are to be different, not better. We are to stand out.  She wanted to know how do with do this without being consumed by sinful pride.  I think we just have to always remember that we are not perfect, just forgiven.  We must continually humble ourselves, admit our faults and failures, and let God have his way in our lives.  We we keep Him in the center of our lives, we will be focused on obeying and serving him.

I want to be a good person. I try to be a good person. Most importantly, I aim to be the Christian woman God has planned for me. That will bring him honor and glory.

Day 66 Return to Glory

Return to glory....

oh, how wonderful it would be to say that I never left.  Unfortunately though, I don't always obey.  For whatever reason, there are times that I bring shame to my Father.  There I am, like the lepers, standing afar, hiding myself, yet shouting, "Unclean!"  What an awful feeling!

BUT

The grace of God can restore me.  Through my faith in Jesus Christ, I can be made whole.

I have already received the ultimate gift of grace, salvation.  I know whom I believe. I know whom I serve. I know where I'll spend eternity.

The human part of me is like a slip and slide. As I try to make my way toward the goal, to be the Christain woman God has planned, I slip and slide along the way. Sometimes my steps are steady and strong. Other times, I can't get my bearings and I fall.  Luckily, I don't have to try to get up on my own.  Like the lepers, I can lift up my voice and cry, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on me!"  And He will.  How cool is that?

Day 65 -The Fine Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness, or the lack of, can do so many things.

When Carson does something and he knows we are upset, he tells us how sorry he is. If we don't say we forgive him almost immediately, it tears him up. He takes his punishment, but he still must hear those words, "I forgive you."

When I mess up with my boys and tell them that I was wrong, the best thing they do for me is wrap their little arms around me and say, "I forgive you, Mama."

Yet when I don't offer forgiveness, I do see where it leads me to sin. I can become bitter. I can harbor anger. I can say things that are hurtful.

When I am not offered forgiveness, it hurts so bad. The lack of forgiveness can consume me. I can lose my focus and almost worship the person to earn forgiveness.

Often we don't forgive because we don't think the transgressor deserves it. Well, we are not the judge of that. Forgiveness is commanded by God. Just because we were hurt by some one, doesn't mean we have to restore the relationship. In some cases that would be insane. Forgiveness offers a release for the hurter and the hurtee. Sometimes people don't even have to know you forgive them. It can be intimate. Sometimes it is better to not open that can of worms because they don't even realize they hurt you and bringing it up can actually make things worse.

As far a rebuking someone, I'd rather not.  There is a church member that has some of us in an uproar, we gripe and complain amongst ourselves because we are uncomfortable talking to him. I finally said I was going to say something, but felt that I could not rebuke him tactfully.  I kept my mouth closed.  If we don't know how to rebuke properly, that may be the best thing to do. 

As far as rebuking me, I'm pretty much awesome, so there is no need! Ha!  Thought you needed a good laugh.  If I hurt someone, I want to know, I want to fix it. I don't like conflict at all.  I'd rather someone come to me than talk about it to others and beat around the bush.

Day 64 Whose Fault is It?

I can relate so much to this scripture. I think if we are honest with ourselves we can see ourselves in it.

In Matthew 18:1-9, we are not being told to dismember ourselves. We are, however, being told to cut off from our lives that which causes us to sin.

Following Jesus is a lifestyle. Before we become Christians, we develop unhealthy habits that cause us to sin. Maybe we have girlfriends that we gossip with every time we get together. Maybe we drink when we gather with certain friends. Maybe we over eat when we become depressed or are alone. When we open our hearts to Jesus, we make a choice to change our lives. We make a choice, not to be better, but to be different. Therefore, we make lifestyle changes. Our habits change. We change.

I have had to distance myself from certain people because of gossip. A former coworker of mine loves to get the dirt on others and spread it. Too often, I would find myself getting caught up in this with her. I had to really watch my words with her. I found that I needed to gently turn the conversation in a different direction. I have even excused myself from her presence. When I was able to admit to God that I was struggling with gossip, he was able to show me how to keep away from that sin....with her. Now there are others that I find it easy to get caught up in conversation with as well. When I acknowledge where my faults lie, God is able to help me find an escape.

I believe the key is humbling ourselves in admitting our weaknesses. When we are able to do that, God can really help us.

Each day I pray the prayer of Jabez:
Lord, I pray that you would bless me indeed, that you would expand my territory. Father, I pray that your hand would be with me and keep me from evil so that I may not cause pain.

When I am praying this, I am asking God to guide my thoughts, words, and actions so that I may not sin against others or cause others to sin. I am asking him to help me bring honor and glory him.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to teach others how to serve Jesus, what the difference between right and wrong looks like. We have the awesome responsibility to live in such a way that others will be attracted to Jesus. When we fall, and we will, we must acknowledge our faults and sincerely ask for God to show us how to cut off from our lives that which makes us sin.