My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3
There is an old hymn which we sing called, “Take Time to be Holy.” I was thinking of that song this morning as I prepared my day of work. I try to cram in, as much as I can, in a day and many times I plan ahead for things I know I have to do. Confession time: Sometimes I forget to make plans to be holy. I know I need to spend time in prayer and I wake knowing the things I want to do and forget to start the day in prayer. I know I need to read my Bible and let God’s Word minister to me. Once again, I am convinced that I have too much to do and that I will read it later. The truth is, I do my best studies and best work in the early morning. So I ask myself, “Why do I not do what I know to do for my good, which is fellowship with my Lord?”
I have discovered that my flesh wants what it wants. Now don’t get self righteous on me because we all have to deal with the flesh. If I go on a diet to get rid of excess pounds, that is when all the German Chocolate Cake is paraded before me. Needless to say my flesh cries out, “A little won’t hurt you?” So the question becomes, “What is a little?” I have many desires and some I have already enjoyed. I love the southern oceans and to swim in them. I have had my share of dream jobs and prospered. I have many personal things which have come my way and enjoyed them. Fact is, I am not tired of life.
My greatest joy isn’t what I experience for the flesh, but for God. I have had the joy in preaching Christ and His passion to many. I have been overjoyed to see souls brought to conviction and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I have been blessed of God to pastor several churches. I thank Him for the knowledge I have and the joy of my personal salvation. I thank Him for allowing me to be part of churches that want to go forth excitedly for Him. Churches that loved souls, youth camps, prayer meetings, Sunday Services and more. The more they love the Lord the more I am blessed.
So why do I face struggle? Because, I am a sinner. We can read in Genesis that Adam fell and cast all of mankind into a lost sinful state. We desire the flesh because the flesh cleaves to this earth. We are born in sin and the lasting result is a destiny with death, then shall my body be buried in the earth and return from whence it came.
Only those who have trusted in the finished work of Christ will know eternal life in Him. My body must be changed for no sinful flesh will enter into His glory. Yet, in this life we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior or suffer the consequences of eternal separation from Him in hell. I am redeemed. I may not act like Jesus all the time, but I know I belong to Him. What to know more? Call me…
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