Friday, December 08, 2006

Daily Devotions - 12.7.06, Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Condemned or Convicted?

Many times we make promises and do everything we can to keep them. Sometimes we make promises to ourselves; to our spouses; to our friends; and, many times, if you’re a parent, to our kids.

We make plans to meet with a friend that is going through a tough time and fail to keep our commitment because something else comes up that demands our attention; we say that we’re going to clean out the garage, mow the lawn or change the oil in the car but procrastinate; we set exercise goals but somehow don’t see the treadmill on the way to the refrigerator; we say we’re going to read our Bible every day and pray, but for some reason “things” just keep coming up and we fail to keep that commitment as well.

Many times what results is a feeling of failure and sometimes even depression. Let me tell you that you’re not alone. There are many people that share in what I just described to you.

I encourage you to go back to the “drawing board” and prioritize your time and your “to do” list and tackle one at a time. Whatever you don’t accomplish today move to tomorrow and continue working towards finishing each one on your list. Call your friend, talk to your spouse, or to your children and figure out together how you can keep, or make up that commitment you made. If necessary, ask someone for forgiveness and move forward.

Whatever you do… keep moving forward! Don’t give up or close up… “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7 God convicts us in order to “spur” us to continue on His path, but did NOT give us a spirit of defeat and condemnation (that’s the lie of the devil).

Re-treat to the drawing board; Re-think your commitments; Re-member God’s Word and Love; and then move forward with confidence in the Lord… Re-establish what is honoring to God…

Conviction is good because it gives us direction when we use it as “bumper rails” in our walk with God…

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” – Galatians 6:9 NKJV

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