March 20, 2007

You're not alone...

I have been around the block (or the mountain) more than once during my "Christian" walk and I have made some of the same mistakes over and over. Each time that happens, I sit back, blown away and wonder, "How in the world did this happen to me...again?" "I should know better than this."

Then comes the the guilt and shame because I know this time for sure, God has got to be tired of me saying "I'm sorry" or "Forgive me, it won't happen again"

If that has come out of your mouth as much as it has mine, I want you to know, you are not alone. The only difference is that I'm telling on myself. Not in the sense of being proud but to let you know you're not the only one.

Some of us don't fall back into what we might call the biggies again, yet most of us, (well at least those of us who are honest enough to admit it) are repeat offenders in other areas, like criticism, being judgemental, or maybe just not playing nice... these are just as bad...it's all the same.

We sit back and wonder how could this happen, I'm a Christian. I told God I wouldn't do that again and now look at me. Maybe I should just give up, because I just can't get it right.

You may have said something like: "I'll be in church" and then don't go, or "I've told my family I would do something and it doesn't happen." or how about this one, "I said I wouldn't take another drink", and look at me...Here I am again.

What I'm about to tell you is not to justify or excuse our actions, my hope is to let you see this for yourself. God still loves you, and you're not alone.

Does this sound familiar? "What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then act another, doing things I absolutely despise..."This was written by Paul the Apostle.

Paul's life, just like ours, had it's struggles and he discovered that knowledge of the "rules" was not the answer. Being born again takes a moment of faith, but becoming a Christian, or being Christ like, is a life long process. It's not about religion, it's about developing a relationship.

When Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you; and asks you to forgive him, do it, even if he does the same thing over and over"(personal translation), Jesus is not going to ask us to do something for others that He won't do for us. We've got to stay with it. Paul said "I press on" and that's what we have to do too.

Stay with it, remember you're not alone.

You have an enemy who really doesn't like you, he will remind you that you've tried this before and look at you; "you did it again", don't take it personal, you're not that special.

If you still have a pulse and you're still breathing, you have been given another chance to try it again. Take this time to search your heart and talk with God about whatever He's showing you.
Fess up and move on down the highway.

Get up, God is on your side.

God Bless you;
Jim "DoughBoy" Brady