Whose servant are you?

Saturday we held a birthday dinner for our son.

Our goal for this event was to encourage our son in righteousness and at one point my husband asked all the men present to come up and pray together over our son.

Because we wanted him to understand that with privilege (adulthood in this case) comes great responsibility.

Romans 6:15-16NKJV — What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Every single person has a choice to make: whose servant will they be?

For scripture is clear, if we choose to walk in sin, we are choosing death.

If we choose to believe on Jesus Christ and obey Him, we are choosing righteousness.

When I was a young adult I thought this choice was a once and done thing, but as I read my Bible I learned it’s a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment choice.

Walking in obedience to Jesus means knowing His will for my life, including my attitudes and actions.

The truth is if I’m not purposefully choosing to obey the Lord, I’m choosing to obey sin.

There’s no middle ground.

Joshua 24:15 NKJV — “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth and discernment You give us through the scriptures. Lord, thank You for showing me that if I’m not choosing to obey You, I’m choosing to obey sin. I don’t want that nor the consequences of that in my life. I don’t want to walk in rebellion nor face the judgement which comes from rejecting You and Your gift of salvation. Thank You for that beautiful wonderful gift! Lord, You alone know the hearts of people. You are the One who sees our motivates and hears the things we speak in our hearts. Lord, I want to speak truth in my heart every day, all day long. Lord, I want to honor You with my actions, my attitudes, and my words. Please help me to be obedient to You in all things. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Another chance

Yesterday morning, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart.

He was reminding me of truth and warning me.

I needed to trust and not allow fear, at all.

To rest in His will and be willing to obey in all things, was the direction.

In the morning, I felt able to walk in this.

By the afternoon, I had slid backwards with my attitude and I didn’t even realize it.

At some point, I’d taken my eyes off of Jesus and was trying to do things in my own strength.

God was faithful, all day long.

He continued to guide and direct me.

He continued to speak softly and at one point, He clearly told me to change what I was doing.

I did and my attitude improved greatly.

But it wasn’t until bedtime I saw myself fully.

As we were praying together, it was clearly before me.

I hadn’t walked in His words throughout the day.

I had forgotten His warning and had allowed myself to grow discontent with my circumstances.

I had pushed myself into activity, instead of resting in God’s hands and trusting Him to do all.

Thus, I’d disobeyed His warning from my morning quiet time.

My heart was ashamed, and I confessed before the Lord and my family my wrong.

God’s forgiveness is amazing!

My heart was encouraged, that although I’d failed in that day, God was giving me another chance.

Today is that chance.

Today, I can surrender to the Lord, and walk in contentment and obedience.

Today, God is giving me another chance.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV — Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your compassion, understanding, patience, and mercy. Lord, please help me to obey You throughout my day, not allowing myself to slide into old ways and forgetting Your truth. Lord, I’m ashamed that I failed yesterday, but I’m so thankful for Your mercy and this new day. Thank You. Lord, in my struggles with self discipline, I humbly ask that You teach this stubborn heart. Lord, continue to help me to be humble before You, quick to listen and quick to obey. Please continue to polish me that I might reflect You to those around me, especially my own family who see me at my worst. Lord, I want to pick up my cross and follow You with joy, thankfulness, and humility. Please help me to do so today. Again, thank You for Your faithfulness, compassion, and mercy. Amen.