Don't Give In!
"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is,
in my sinful nature."
—Romans 7:18a (NIV)
The battle happens everyday, whether we pay attention to it or not. We are always fighting. I'm not talking the physical battle either. I believe Spider-Man 3 will be a good visual for this; the fact that Peter Parker (aka, Spider-Man) will embrace a new, darker version of himself. He will use this different suit to do what he thinks is good. But like sin, he can't wield it for good. It eventually takes over him and he must go use drastic measures to rid himself of it.
Our sin is lurking, waiting, stalking us like a lion for a brief moment of weakness. As it says in Genesis 4:7 "sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." All too often, that lurking lion is tempting us (1 Peter 5:8). It looks innocent enough so we think we can play with it, control it. That's until it unveils it's true self, devouring us.
We need to fight this temptation, this sin, everyday. We will win some battles. We will loose some battles. But we must rely on the Lord for the strength on a daily basis. Without him, it's hopeless.
My encouragement, my prayer, for you today is don't give up. Whether you have been struggling with a certain sin for just a short while or for as long as you can remember, ask your heavenly Father for the strength that only He can provide. Don't rely on will power.
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14) With Him, because of Him, you will win!
in my sinful nature."
—Romans 7:18a (NIV)
The Spider-Man 3 website was updated yesterday, and I couldn't help but make a parallel between the plot and our struggle with sin.
The battle happens everyday, whether we pay attention to it or not. We are always fighting. I'm not talking the physical battle either. I believe Spider-Man 3 will be a good visual for this; the fact that Peter Parker (aka, Spider-Man) will embrace a new, darker version of himself. He will use this different suit to do what he thinks is good. But like sin, he can't wield it for good. It eventually takes over him and he must go use drastic measures to rid himself of it.
Our sin is lurking, waiting, stalking us like a lion for a brief moment of weakness. As it says in Genesis 4:7 "sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." All too often, that lurking lion is tempting us (1 Peter 5:8). It looks innocent enough so we think we can play with it, control it. That's until it unveils it's true self, devouring us.
We need to fight this temptation, this sin, everyday. We will win some battles. We will loose some battles. But we must rely on the Lord for the strength on a daily basis. Without him, it's hopeless.
My encouragement, my prayer, for you today is don't give up. Whether you have been struggling with a certain sin for just a short while or for as long as you can remember, ask your heavenly Father for the strength that only He can provide. Don't rely on will power.
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14) With Him, because of Him, you will win!
—b
Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007/Judges chapters 13-16GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes."—Judges 16:28
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
God will get the glory. It wasn't Samson who performed all of the heroic feats, but God through him. It wasn't the Philistine god Dagon who allowed Samson to be caught, but the lack of God's presence in Samson. It was only because of God that Smason Had his strength returned to him inorder to do God's will. God will get the glory.
Copyright 2007, City Vision / John A. MayerYou can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.
SPIRITUAL TWIN CITIES NOTEABLES
• In 2003, Rev. Gene Robinson was approved as the first openly gay bishop of any American church.
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