Undisciplined

Undisciplined...that about sums up the struggles in my life. I know I am not the only one who struggles with this. Monday, I had a dental implant. So, I basically didn't schedule much this week because I didn't know how I would feel. I had all day yesterday and today so far to do as I want. Did I take optimum time with God? No, but I did take some time. Did I eat properly. No...I found out that even after oral surgery, it didn't hurt to eat! Did I exercise? Hmm...do I even remember what that word means. Did I just rest and enjoy the day since my schedule has been so hectic? No, I did a little bit of everything. (Of course today, I regret it.) And so goes my story of woe...

 

I know what I should do. I don't do it, though. I'm not the only one with this issue. Romans 7 tells us about Paul, "What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. (v. 15) I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. (vs. 18-19) It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. (vs.21-23)"

 

So, if Paul was undisciplined, what chance do I have? I have a pretty good chance of turning the tables, just like Paul had. Why? Because my God, and his, is bigger than anything else! I can turn the desires of my flesh, the way I spend my time, spend my money, even how I eat, exercise or what I think...God can change all of that. If I give my desires to Him, He will renew my life. I will once again live passionately for Him. How about you? How do you want to live?

 

Father God, I give to You my life, as undisciplined as it is, so that I can do all things through You. I know that with You I am able to overcome the areas of my life that do not glorify You. Change me, O God."

Wisdom for All Circumstances

The last several weeks have been very trying, to put it lightly. Most of the time I am amazed at what God has allowed me to do / to witness. But, these last weeks, I am still amazed, but for a totally different reason. It reinforces the fact that the world needs a Savior.

I have been reading through the Bible. The one I am reading now is a Good News Bible that includes the Deuterocanonical books /Apocrypha. I feel I am going back to my "Catholic roots." I have just finished the book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus). It has plenty of wisdom for the situations I face. Here are just some of the verses that have spoken to me during this time:

~ Keep quiet until the right time to speak, and you will gain a reputation for good sense. 1:24

~ Be like a father to orphans, and provide widows with the help their husbands can no longer give them. 4:10

~ Never abandon an old friend. 9:10

~ Your chief pride should be your fear of the Lord. 9:16b

~ It is not right to refuse honor to a poor person who is intelligent, and it is not right to give honor to a sinner. 10:23

~ Before you start criticizing, get your facts straight and think the matter through. 11:7

~ Don't get into an argument over something that is none of your business. 11:9

~ Do good to humble people, but don't give anything to those who are not devout. Don't give them food, or they will use your kindness against you. Every good thing you do for such people will bring you twice as much trouble in return. 12:5

~ If a person has a clear conscience and never gives up hope, he is certainly to be congratulated. 14:2

~ Be kind to your friends, be as generous as you can. 14:13b

~ It is not appropriate for a sinner to sing hymns of praise, because his worship is insincere. 15:9

~ Don't make yourself a beggar by borrowing for expensive banquets when you haven't enough money of your own. If you do, you never will get rich; if you don't pay attention to small matters you will eventually ruin yourself. 18:33-19:1

~ It is much better to rebuke the person than to keep your anger bottled up. 20:2

~ A wise person will not speak until the right moment. 20:7

~ Gifts and bribes make even wise men blind to the truth, and prevent them from being honest in their criticism.20:29

~ A man may be famous as a good speaker, but when he is wrong, a sensible person will detect it. 21:7

~ Gossips and liars deserve to be cursed, because they have been the ruin of many people who were minding their own business. 28:13

~ Be understanding with those who are poor. Don't keep them waiting for your generosity. 29:8

~ It is impolite to have a greedy eye. 31:13

~ Be moderate in everything you do and you will never be sick. 31:22

~ Never, as long as you live, give anyone power over you. 33:19a

~ As long as you have breath in your body, don't let anyone lead your life for you. 33:20a

~ Keep control over all that you do; don't let anything stain your reputation. 33:22





Ahhhh!

Lately life in Lawra has been stressful. Just every day living can cause someone to have a meltdown (don't worry, that didn't happen.) Add to that the differences in culture in the work place. I was needing to get away. And, a workshop in Sunyani provided that for me. After that, I traveled to Accra to get my eyes checked, go to the dentist, do some shopping, etc. before I meet up with a team from Gandy's Cove, AL. on Saturday.

The best thing that happened to me here in Accra was attending worship at Asbury Dunwell Church. Ahhhh! It was balm to my soul, a refreshment to my spirit. Sometimes I just don't realize how much I need a worship service in English or in a familiar style. Being able to worship, to praise God without having any other responsibilities was just what I needed. And, the banner on the wall had an important message for me...to break through the barriers and build on the Rock.

There are times in my work where the barriers seem insurmountable, that nothing will ever change. Then, when I am so close to giving up, I see a glimmer of hope or God reminds me why I am doing what I am doing and I see a chink in the barrier. Oh, I know things will not change overnight. I also know God is with me, just like He was with Gideon when Gideon faced things that seemed too much for him to handle.God did tell Gideon that He was sending him. God also told Gideon, "You can do it because I will help you." I can do it, because God will help me.