Month: October 2013

There are things that can draw us, tempt us, to waste the time we have been given on this earth.  We are told by the Word that our life is but a vapor – a whiff of smoke – here today and gone tomorrow.  We also know that there is a force that is dark and sinister that seeks to keep us from our living a life that is honoring to the Lord.  That shadowy entity uses seemingly innocuous things to draw us away from people and from accomplishing all that we can by stealing our time.  Once we are drawn away, we can then become immersed in something so deeply that we are restrained from not only interacting with the people we encounter, but we are restrained from accomplishing our goals. And, worse, any dream or hope can be destroyed.  I could tell you that this involves only the big obvious “sins”, but I would be doing you a grave disservice.  The truth is we can be drawn away by something little that we allow to become big in our lives.  Most of us spend some bit of time watching a movie, TV show, or the news, playing a video game, checking social media, surfing the net, reading a book, or shopping. When we begin to crave the show, the movie, the game, social media, the book, or shopping, fairly quickly we may find most of our spare time is spent engaging in that activity. Just like alcohol to an alcoholic, our “addiction” wastes our lives and, by extension, the impact we could have had on those around us. We are drawn away from our real purpose, caught in its’ web, where the menacing enemy is able to steal our time, thus killing our dreams and our hopes, and destroy the goals God planned for us.

• What binds your time and thus your hopes, your dreams, and God’s goals for your life?
• What keeps you from having real meaningful interaction with people?
• What if you gave up that “addiction” for thirty days?
• What could you accomplish?
• Whose life could you make a difference in?

No one is perfect. There was one perfect man, Jesus Christ.  Before Him and since Him, there were none worthy of accomplishing what He did for us.  For those that believe now, and those who have yet to believe, He was, He is and He will continue to be The Perfect Sacrifice, the only One.  So what does David mean that only those who walk uprightly (perfectly) and those who work righteousness can abide with God in His sanctified place?  David surely was not perfect…he impregnated a woman who was not his wife, then orchestrated the husband’s murder. David is telling us that we must make a life-style of choosing to do the right thing – our heart and actions are purposed to do what is good (based on the Word) in relation to Jesus and to our fellow man.

Read Psalms 15:1-5 and rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being best) on these points:

• I exhibit integrity in all I think, say and do, including in family relationships, friendships, work, and work relationships.
• I do not speak my vain imaginings and opinions that are harmful to others.
• I do not slander or expose people’s shortcomings.
• I do not bring up anything negative concerning people I know.
• I do not do anything bad to others or help anyone do bad either.
• I hate all evil – choosing to expose evil in my own life and step aside from it.
• I love and honor those who love the Lord.
• I love those who have yet to love the Lord regardless of what I “feel” about them.
• I keep my word even if it will not benefit me (unless it is wrong) or even if it is detrimental to me.
• I do not make others pay more than what is equitable, not just monetarily but in penalty for their wrong actions.
• I do not join with others against someone who is blameless.

Thank the Lord Jesus for His grace that saves us!  David repented of his shortcomings when confronted.  Isn’t it great to know that all we have to do is tell the Lord we are sorry, and purpose in our hearts to change our ways to be forgiven? Pray a prayer right now thanking the Lord for those areas above that you exhibit strength and asking for His help in making your weak areas strong.

Lord, hear the cry of my heart that is right.  Help me to lay aside the vileness in my heart and mouth.  Let me take up integrity and purity in my thoughts and actions.  Let me not just do “works” of good, but let my thoughts, feelings and opinions be righteous, filled with goodness and integrity.  Lord, I cast down evil speaking and purpose in my heart to change as You lead and change me.  Jesus, rescue my words and renew my mind.  Let life come from my heart, my thoughts and my words.  Let me speak encouragement in due season and exhortation when led by You.  I haven’t any hope in changing without Your help.  I lay myself down at Your feet, my heart, my thoughts, my will, my emotions, my mouth.  Thank You for Your sacrifice.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

You decided to go on a diet. You have eliminated all food that packs on the weight by cleaning out your fridge and your cabinets.  Then you end up at lunch with friends.  The time comes to order dessert.  You have made up your mind to be strong, to stay on the diet, as each person orders a delectable dessert.  The server finally gets to you but you hesitate just a fraction of a second.  Your moment of weakness is all your friends’ need to sense, and then the temptation really begins.  As you are reminded of your great meal choices, you are hit by a flurry of comments that do everything except help you stand in your decision to diet.  Further weakened with the help of your good meaning friends, who don’t want to eat it alone, you give in like the alcoholic who only meant to buy a coke in the liquor store.  After all, you were the only one dieting and they were not.  We have all been there – on both sides of that divide.
Substitute any habit you are trying to break for the dessert – smoking, drugs, alcohol, porn, sex, shopping, television, movies, books, gossip.  It seems what our mothers told us is true – misery really does love company.  Or as the psalmist said, “They have together become corrupt.”

Read Psalms 14:1-7 and ask yourself these questions:

• Do my friends encourage me in my decisions or do they want me to stay right where I am – unchanging?
• What can I say to my friends when they are not helpful that will not alienate them but draws them to support me meet my goals?
• Or, do I need to find new friends?
• Do I reassure my friends in their decisions?
• What can I do to fortify decisions my friends make, even though God has not called  me to cease that particular habit?
• Or, do my friends need to find a new friend?

Lord, You see everything, You hear everything, and You know everything. I admit that I have allowed others to draw me away from breaking off habits You have called me to end, and I admit that I have led others away from their decisions to cease their habits.  I ask and receive Your forgiveness for my shortcomings.  Lord, truly victory lies with You as my strength.  I pray for the wisdom, resolve, and persistence to stay the course you have called me to, and I pray that I would be a support and encourager to others in their decisions.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.