BLC SINGLES CORNER

Are you feeling discouraged, even disgusted with yourself?  You said you wouldn’t but then the enemy put the pressure on and you folded like a house of cards.  You’re not alone.  Paul writes, “I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway . . . Is there no one who can do anything for me?  Isn’t that the real question?  The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does” (Romans 7:18-25 TMI).

Why do we keep failing?  Because flesh will always act like flesh!  After a season of doing everything right, you can fall flat on your face because you “give place to the devil,” (Eph 4:27), or “[give] occasion to the flesh” (Gal 5:13).

The story is told of an old Native American who, a few months after his conversion, came back to his pastor and said, “It’s like I have 2 big dogs constantly fighting inside me.”  “Which one of them wins?” the pastor asked.  After thinking about it, the old Indian replied, “I guess the one I feed the most.”

The power to live victoriously comes from feeding your spirit and disciplining your flesh.  Listen, “His divine power has give us everything we need for life and godliness . . . He has give us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2Peter 1:3-4 NIV).  Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen; you have to work at it daily.

As I thought and prayed about what to share, this month, continually, I drew a blank. I just did not have any idea what God wanted me to give. This morning’s devotional reading held the answer, though. It’s true, sometimes; we just need to wait, until just the right time…. I read about His thoughtfulness toward us, and I knew, what I should write.

I knew it was time, as the seasons are rapidly changing–summer is behind us, now, and fall is changing the temperatures and the foliage. We are beginning to bundle up a bit more–and our mindset is different, as we think toward the holiday’s approaching–time for family and fellowship. These times can be difficult for many; especially those of us who are unmarried and separated from our families by miles (or other reasons). So, we sometimes, begin to reflect; and at this time, it is easy to withdraw and settle for thoughts other than the thoughts that God has toward us. His are ALL good and whole (and RIGHT)!

Sometimes, we become negative in our thinking, supposing that we will ALWAYS be alone. We fail to see others around us, attempting to reach out to us; or we may fail to see our responsibility to reach out to others. Before you have time to get caught up in thoughts of negativity, wrap yourself up in God’s precious thoughts about you! Remember, He had you on His mind before you were formed: (“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:15-17, NKJV). His plans for you are only the best: (“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV).

If you are tempted over these coming months, to succumb, to loneliness, sadness, feelings of defeat–think on THESE things!

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV)

Love & Abundant Blessings,

Lisa