October 26, 2021
Greetings and blessings to all of you. We are called to be dead to sin and alive to Christ. Paul said in Romans 6:12-14, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under law but under grace.” What would cause those of us who are saved stray from following the will of God?
EMOTIONAL STRUGGLES: In our culture daily pressures are being added to our everyday distresses. We may have family problems, financial difficulties, health issues, feelings of unworthiness, a failure to overcome an addictive habit, the pain of criticism or just plain weariness…or as the song says ‘I’m all churched out.’ It is time to read and meditate on Neh. 8:10 “Do not grieve for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.”
PRIDE: Our culture is wanting all of us to be autonomous or independent thinkers believing that not God but YOUR WAY is best. With the selfie craze and social media where each of us could be a STAR whenever we want if we get enough ‘likes’, we place more faith in our abilities than God’s principles and promises and we want all the praises. If we do not get them, we go on to destructive behaviors thereby ruining our testimony. It is time to read and meditate on James 4:6” God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble”.
DOUBT: Our culture does not fear God therefore the Bible is not honored. Some of us struggle over whether to believe the Word of God. We want to believe we are smarter than God because with our very limited perspective we do not understand God…and how He works. So, we ‘bite the apple’ then share it with our friends and family. It is time to camp on Isaiah 55:8-9 “for my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord….
With the Love of Christ
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC