Observations of My Lifestyle In God’s Word and Outside of HIS Will

The more I get to know God and His Word, the more I realize my life is a 2-edged sword.

I find myself praising God one minute, reading his Word, listening to my favourite gospel preachers, and asking forgiveness of the Lord for my sins.  The next minute I fall into temptation, begin living in the Flesh, and then feel guilty afterwards. The cycle seems to never end and I certainly do not want to live the rest of my life like this!

Today, I decided to make a list contrasting my life in God’s Will and when I am living for myself.

Living for God

1. Inner Joy is released from my Spirit into my Soul
2. That Joy makes me want to reach out to others.
3. Reading God’s Word strengthens me and helps me to overcome fear, sadness, guilt, shame, anger and resentments.
4. I sleep so much better at night; sleeping soundly and having pleasant dreams.
5. Time seems to be added to my day and I can accomplish so much in what seems a short period of time.
6. I smile to others as I pass them by and strangers approach me to talk for no apparent reason.
7. I don’t experience hangovers because I am not looking to escape though alcohol.
8. I experience weight loss because I am out and about doing things instead of isolating myself indoors.
9. My speech with others builds them up instead of tearing them down with disgusting speech.
10. I am able to handle every situations with more success because the Holy Spirit speaks back God’s Word to me.
11. I give thanks to God for everything that comes to my mind, and I pray faithfully each day.

Living For Myself (Out of God’s Will)

1. I become selfish, self-centered, self-righteous, judgmental, and easily agitated.
2. I look at some of God’s children with lust and as objects for my sexual satisfaction.
3. I drink excessively, and lower my inhibitions and morals to the point of disgust.
4. My attitudes become more aggressive.
5. Insomnia plagues me incessantly, and I find myself grinding my teeth during sleep.
6. My time is wasted on distractions such as Internet use, silly arguments, and memories of past wrongs.
7. I no longer smile nor wish to socialize with others; thus isolating myself for long periods of time.
8. No longer do I speak to God or have the courage to ask His forgiveness.
9. No longer can I hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.
10. Weight gain is inevitable as I become less active and more bitter.
11. I feel more pitiful and far less powerful to invoke positive changes to my situation.

 

I welcome all to know these experiences I go through. It is hoped that it can help someone else who may be going through the same thing.

God Bless!

 

Good Overcomes Evil

Dan MacLeod is in a coma after he was viciously beaten in a random attack on June 28th. His family has setup the website to keep the public updated on his health and the criminal prosecution proceedings.

What really tugged on my heart strings was the family’s request to do something positive today that would counteract the negativity of the incident. There was no desire expressed to be vindictive and seek out “an eye for an eye” justice.  This family believes that good does overcome evil, and is asking for the public to bring justice for Dan in this manner.

Please pass this article along to everyone you know, and please help bring JusticeForDan by doing something positive today!

Using Good to Overcome Evil

When evil gets its own way, our only recourse is to tip the scales back  on the side of good!

This morning, I am upset over a local news report. A cab driver has been charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of a skateborder. Eye witness accounts indicate the driver deliberately hit the 28 year old man. The details of the news report can be found here…beware of graphic information.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2012/05/15/19759601.html

My heart is just distraught about this. I walked past that very intersection only 45 minutes earlier on my way home.

How I wish I could have been there to possibly do something! This verse from Romans 12 tells me there is something I can still do.

Romans 12:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²¹ Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

Moving forward, I have the option to go out of my way to do good for my fellow man.

I can hold a door open for someone, offer a kind word of encouragement or a compliment.

I can go out of my way to do something extra for someone, or to make someone laugh!

Even when passing people on the street, if I look and smile at them, I am passing on God’s love to someone else.

I feel a great need to tip the scales back to the side of Good!

Will you please help me?