Passions, Pitfalls and Plenty of Prayer

God gave Moses and the Israelites the Ten Commandments to test them so that the fear of God would be with them and would  keep them from sinning (Exodus 20:20). Proverbs 14:27 says, “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” God gives us even more guidance throughout the Bible…ordinances that weren’t a part of the Ten Commandments but are important nonetheless.

• Take care of your body-“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”-1 Corinthians 6:19
• Don’t drink too much alcohol-“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery”-Ephesians 5:18
• Love people-“Love your neighbor as yourself”-Mark 12:31
• Forgive continually-Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone that sins against him; Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”-Matthew 18:22
• Do not be in debt-“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another”-Romans 13:8
• Care for orphans and widows-“Look after orphans and widows in their distress”-James 1:2
• Mentor those younger and less experienced than you-“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned”-Titus 2:7-8
• Give generously-“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”-2 Corinthians 9:7

I gave my heart and my life to Christ 16 years ago….I am a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)…yet I am still a sinner. I strive to be better all the time, but I continually fail.

Do I take good care of my body? No…I should eat healthier…eat clean; I should drink more water and I should make exercise a part of my daily routine.

Do I drink too much? I may have a glass of wine…or 2…from time to time…I enjoy it…but I could certainly omit that from my daily routine…it isn’t necessary.

Do I love ALL people? NO…There are people in this world that are simply “hard to love”…no one likes everyone…there are people in this world that are combative and argumentative and just plain grumpy…and seemingly for no reason.

Do I always forgive? Definitely not. I want to…I try to…but then I dwell on the infraction, I have a “silent sermon” with the offender in my head, I may even act differently toward the person for awhile.

Am I debt-free? NO…we don’t have a car payment and we aren’t “hugely” in debt but I use credit cards and will often purchase something without having the cash in my bank account; I live above my means for sure…it is the “I Want Syndrome” and the “I Can’t Wait Any Longer Epidemic.”

Am I caring for orphans and widows? Not really…not the way the Bible calls us to do; I love children, but I haven’t adopted or fostered (yet) and I know that my mother-in-law and grandmother would benefit from a lot more love, help and encouragement than I already give.

Am I mentoring younger ladies? I truly feel like God has placed this on my heart recently…there are many opportunities for me to get involved in-Young Lives, the middle school and high school girls at church, my own daughters…I know perfection isn’t a requirement to mentor, BUT…come on…I am not the ideal model for them!

Do I give generously? I actually think that I DO…my main “Love Language” is gifts and giving, being hospitable, offering encouragement, doing acts of service for others…but I KNOW I have more talents and resources to give and I could use my time more responsibly to allow additional contributions.

My friend, Joy, recently said “I want my children to do what I say because they WANT to not just because they HAVE to”…and that is how I long to live my life as well…WANTING..wanting to give, wanting to mentor, wanting to forgive, wanting to care for others, wanting to love….and better yet…not just WANTING, but DOING-James 1:22-“do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS!” “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things”-Philippians 4:8 I think about these things all the time…now I need to take action!

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