Monthly Archives: June 2013

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June 22, 2013

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Forgiveness, Temptation & Sin

LET’S NOT DECEIVE OURSELVES

Examine me and test me, Lord; judge my desires and thoughts. Your constant love is my guide; your faithfulness always leads me. [Psalm 26:2-3 (GNT)]

It’s amazing how easy it is for us to rationalize our failings and deceive ourselves when we sin. We justify our bad behavior by telling ourselves things like the following: That wasn’t really gossip, I didn’t have time, they really didn’t need my help, no one cares about a little thing like that, I was too tired, I was only following orders, it was the other person’s fault, no one will ever know, everyone else did, he made me, or it was just too difficult. We can fool others and delude ourselves but there is one being we can’t deceive: God! He knows everything about us and, like any good parent, He can recognize an excuse for what it is: a way to avoid accountability for our poor behavior.

Lord, please forgive me when I sin and don’t let me lie to myself or you about it.

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself. [Henry Ward Beecher]

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June 21, 2013

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Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

TWO VOICES CAN BE HEARD; ONLY ONE SHOULD BE HEEDED

What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do. [Galatians 5:17 (GW)]

Lord, remind me to listen for your guidance before making a decision. Is my inner voice telling me what to do because it’s right or just because it’s easy? Is it urging me to do what should be done or merely what I would prefer to do? Is it guiding me to do what is good or simply what will feel good to me? Please, don’t let the wrong voice lead me in the improper direction.

There are two voices in your mind – one is always wrong! [From “Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow” by Karen Casey]

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June 20, 2013

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Trusting God

MAYBE WE’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHY

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? [Proverbs 20:24 (NLT)]

Lord, as much as we’d like to know your plan and understand your purpose, help us accept that we just have to step out in faith, trusting in your guidance, wisdom and love.

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June 19, 2013

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Holy Spirit, Peace of God

SERENITY PRAYER

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” [Mark 6:50 (NLT)]

May the peace of God be with you this day. Always remember, He is here with us.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time.
Enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
[Reinhold Niebuhr]

 

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June 18, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Joy, Trusting God

THE REAL CHALLENGE

Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield not food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle – even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me. [Habakkuk 3:17-18 (GW)]

It isn’t difficult to have faith in times of happiness and abundance; the real challenge is to find faith and joy in the Lord in times of misfortune or need. Although our circumstances can change at a moment’s notice, we need to remember that God never changes. The same loving God sends both blessings and trials and He is directing events according to His purpose, not ours. We can be confident that He will do what is right and that He will give us the strength to meet our challenges.

Father in Heaven, keep us from letting events determine our faith. Instead of concentrating on our troubles, show us how to focus on you so that we will always have joy in the Lord.

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June 17, 2013

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Faith & Hope

WHAT IS FAITH?

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. [Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)]

Lord, it takes a leap of faith to believe but it is a leap I want to take!

 Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.
[Max Lucado, from “He Still Moves Stones”]

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. [Martin Luther King, Jr.]