CONFESS YOUR SINS.......

I have been known to struggle with overcoming certain bad habits. I have good intentions on not induldging, but continue to repeat these bad habits over and over again. I have many tools I could use to help me, but for some reason I think I can handle it my way. You'd think I'd have learned something by now. My way usually doesn't work. I need help - God's and others' help.

As I have stated in my previous blogs, I need to learn to change my focus when tempted. To turn away from temptation. But also, I need to remember I don't have to "handle it on my own". Today's Purpose Driven Life Devotional(Aug 28,2008) by Rick Warren discusses this.

When temptation is before me, I need to reach out. I know this is true; because, when I have reached out in the past, I have been able to resist temptation. It works!

Some excerpts from Rick Warren's devotional:

"...you need at least one person you can honestly share your struggles with." (And how much better would it be if we had a support GROUP of many people to talk to??)

"You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone. Ecc 4:9-10"

"If ... you're stuck in a repeating cycle of good intention-failure-guilt, you will not get better on your own!"

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 (NIV)"

"Don't repress it; confess it!

Don't conceal it; reveal it!

Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing."

"So take off you mask, stop pretending you're perfect, and walk into freedom."


AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!

FOCUS

It is true what I focus my thoughts on is what I usually act on.
Again, referencing Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life Devotional (August 26,2008) he talks about this.

He hits the nail right on the head when he writes:
"The more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you."
"Ignoring a temptation is far more effective than fighting it."
"So when temptation calls you on the phone, don't argue with it, just hang up!"
"Do whatever is necessary to turn your attention to something else."
"To reduce temptation, keep your mind occupied with God's word and other good thoughts."

Hebrews 3:1 NIV
"Fix your thoughts on Jesus."

I heard awhile back when I was suffering with depression to replace a negative thought with a positive one. I guess this applies here. I must I must replace "bad and tempting thoughts" with goood, healthy God thoughts to move away from temptation.

Rick Warren also states:

"Temptation begins by capturing your attention. What gets your attention arouses your emotions. Then your emotions activate your behavior, and you act on what you felt."

How very true is that for me!!!

Thanks Rick for raising my awareness of these things.

Lord, I pray when temptation is before me help me to focus on Jesus.

TEMPTATION

I feel Satan tries to lure me into temptation. It is not the temptation I should fight, it is Satan.
My mind focuses on the thing that is tempting me when I try to fight it. I must look to God and ask for the stength to refocus my mind on something else. Once my mind is focused away from the temptation, it can not overcome me and I can defeat it.

Reference:"Defeating Temptation" by Rick Warren, "Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Aug 25, 2008"

Prayer:
Lord help me to remember to set my mind on something else when temptation is before me. Help me to place all my energy on thinking about other things. Preferably help me to set my mind something good and positive to replace the negative thoughts of the temptation.

TREASURES ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN

MATTHEW 6: 19-20 NIV
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where is my heart? Is my attiude toward my possessions selfish? Or do I view what I have as belonging to God. I believe Jesus teaches that all that I have is God's. I am a steward or custodian of what is God's. How do I use what I have? Do I cling to these things? Do I center my life around them? Do I use these things to glorify me, to please me? Or do I use what I have to please and/or glorify God?

Do I use what I have to help others? Jesus teaches that we can use our possessions to help others now so that we will be greeted by those we have helped at the gates of Heaven.

LUKE 16:9 (NIV)
9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

What a concept! Don't be selfish, share what I have with others and my rewards will be many in Heaven.

MATTHEW 24:34-46
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

I must give away and share what was so freely given to me by God. What is in my heart? Unselfishness? God looks at what is in my heart.

1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

From "STUDIES IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT" byD. MARYN LLOYD-JONES:

"Therefore, regarding myself as one who has this great privilige of being a caretaker for God, a custodian and a steward, I do not cling to these things. They do not become the centre of my life and existence. I do not live for them or dwell upon them constantly in my mind; they do not absorb my life. On the contrary, I hold them loosely; I am in a state of blessed detachment from them. I am not governed by them; rather do I govern them; and as i do this I am steadily securing, and safely laying up for myself, 'treasures in heaven.'"

SURVEY, AGAIN

In the book "Divine Consiracy" it was suggested to survey people by asking this question:What is the message of Jesus?The author stated one may be suprised at the answers one will get.I would be interested in your responses. Thanks!The author had his answer to that question that I will share at a future time along with my meditaitons/reflections on that question.

SECRETS

I have been reading "The Divine Conspiracy" by Dallas Willard, and came across this on pages 398-399:

"Are we, for example, prepared to have everyting about us known to everyone? There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, Jesus tells us. 'What you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be announced over loudspeakers' (Luke 12:3). Are we ready to live with that kind of total transparency?"

From Luke 12:2-3 NIV version:

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

So this got me to thinking. What are my secrets? Am I hiding certain things that I haven't yet confessed? Upon reflection there are things that I feel I must confess to God, repent, and ask His forgiveness. It is not healthy for me to keep these "secrets". As I have heard said, "I am as sick as my secrets."

Nothing can be hidden from God. He knows all. He knows my motives and what is in my heart.
Scripture tells me that I will eventually have to deal with these "secrets", so I am thinking I must get them out in the open now, and put it all into God's hands. I can live in so much more peace when I am free of the burden of my sins.

Some more scripture I have found:

Romans 2:16 (NIV)
16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Psalms 44:21 (NIV)
21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?

Ephesians 5:13-20 (NIV)
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Mark 4:22 (NIV)
22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

Luke 8:16-17 (NIV)
16 "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NIV)
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

2 Kings 19:27 (NIV)
27 " 'But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me.

Psalms 90:8 (NIV)
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

07/18/2008 CONTROL

When I think I am in control of my life - I am in trouble.
I have found when I try to run the show, things do not go smoothly.
I am NOT in charge. God is!
It is not all about me.
I am NOTHING on my own, but I can accomplish ANYTHING with God's help.
I am working on becoming less SELF-CENTERED and more GOD-CENTERED.

ALL of my problems are rooted in my self-centeredness/selfishness. I must "die to self" and give my life to God. I MUST DO THIS EVERYDAY.

God, I place my life in Your control. May I life in such a way that I glorify YOU and not ME.
Your will be done, not mine.
AMEN