I haven’t posted on this site in a very long time. I have a lot of reasons and none of them are good. I’m starting a new direction, a new beginning and a new purpose with this site. I’m going to be real and transparent about my own walk with the Lord; my struggles, my temptations, my heartbreak, my joy and my faith. If only for me that is enough, but if it speaks to anyone who happens upon this site, I hope it gives you a place of hope that we are all fighting the good fight. You may ask why would you post your stuff for anyone and everyone to see, and my simple answer is, I can no longer keep the struggles in the shadows.
So I begin with this passage from Romans 8:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:1-13
My Prayer Today:
Father God, I’m praying today for your revelation in these words. I am guilty Lord of living life in the flesh and not in the spirit. I have made choices of my free will to follow the desire of the flesh and of the world instead of giving myself completely to You. Lord, please forgive me for my rebellious spirit and my pursuit of the things of the world. I have allowed the powers of Satan to guide my thoughts and my actions. I have succumbed to the spirits of deception, accusation, and temptation. And in every instance, I have brought pain on others, damaged and destroyed relationships and brought guilt, heartache and shame upon myself.
Father God, I lay it all at the foot of the cross. I prayer your redemptive spirit of healing upon me and those who I have hurt along the way. I ask Father for your forgiveness, and your grace and mercy upon me and that you rekindle my heart with the Holy Spirit so that I can walk a new life. A life void of my selfish desires. A life open and willing to your purpose. A life completely turned over in unconditional faith in Your promises for my life and for those I hold dear.
Father God, as I embark on this new journey, I pray for your strength and guidance. As your word says in Proverbs 3:5-6, I will put my trust in you and lean not on my own understanding, despite how tempting it is to try to gain that understanding. Father, let me have the innocent faith of a child in you. Father, I pray that I will submit to you in all things, and give up my selfish control so that you will guide my path. Father, let me put my trust in you in guiding my daily life moving forward.
Father God, I thank you for your many blessings in my life. I am grateful. So let me go forth with that spirit of gratitude as I approach each day, recognizing it is a gift from you. Father, through that gratitude, fill my spirit with an abundance of joy and light and protect me from falling aimlessly into darkness. I pray the words Jesus taught us to pray;
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for yours is the Kingdom and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.