FRIVOLOUS INDULGENCES

Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence...Romans 13:13 (MSG)

What is your "frivolity or indulgence" that keeps you from the presence of the Lord; from His assignment?

Addiction?
Selfish gratifications?
Internet temptations?
You have “another”?

I know a tough question. It is for me. I have struggled/sometimes still struggle with frivolous indulgences. And sadly they often keep me from what Romans 13:14 says I/WE SHOULD be devoting our DAYLIGHT hours to.

(being) like the Lord Jesus Christ, (not) think(ing) about how to satisfy the desires of your sinful self. – Romans 13:14 (ERV – Emphasis mine)

So what should we do when the frivolous and indulgent try to command our time?

…demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Our minds, our flesh, our self-indulgent natures, our wandering thoughts and eyes are a reality. They can prove to be very subtle, deceptive, consuming and convincing. We must be INTENTIONAL in capturing them!

We need to be quick to ask God to help us be honest with ourselves and real with our temptations and thoughts.

We need to be quick to pray for the Father to help us be honest with ourselves and make choices that will keep us away from any occasion for sin.

We must be quick to resolve to fix ourselves in the PRESENCE of GOD for it is there sin cannot reside!

Remember friends living before GOD, embracing HIS presence is better than anything temptation offers. And it always offers the PREFERRED alternative for when the frivolous and the indulgent try to take over.

Thomas Chalmers called the “presence of GOD an “expulsive power of a new affection.” 
We will always struggle with the temptations and the indulgent until we replace it with something more pure, more right, and more fulfilling; the presence of GOD.

So simply put, if we want to overcome things like addiction then this new affection, our intentional relationship with the presence of GOD must command the CENTER of our attention! Why? Because a day centered in the presence of the LORD will prove superior to sin, trouble, indulgence and temptation every time.

"For the Lord God is brighter
Than the brilliance of a sunrise!
Wrapping Himself around me like a shield,
He is so generous with His gifts of grace and glory!
¹²Those who walk along His paths with integrity
Will never lack one thing they need,
For He provides it all!
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
What euphoria fills those
Who forever trust in You!"
Psalm 84:11-12 TPT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQspvrTBd6E

Love you all…
Have a centered, affectionate day with the Father!
Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)