CONVICTION

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.

 

Ever have days when you feel like you might just need a DOUBLE DOSE of forgiveness and grace?

Why a double dose? Because “the day just got away” from you?

 

You know what I mean right?

 

Those days when you get to the end and take a quick look back and realize you could have “done the day” a little better, a little cleaner, maybe even a little Godlier. You know, those days when the enemy gets the best of you and you drift off course or spend some time catering to him rather than GOD?

 

Be honest, you have those.

 

Truthfully, I really loathe those days; those days spent losing ground to the enemy. Don’t you? 

Those days and times when you know you are “better than that”.

 

Those are the days that are often met with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And that while so needed, it is often unpleasant. But I must say I am GRATEFUL for it. I am glad GOD promised to make me more sensitive to my sinfulness even if it hurts.

Hannah Whitall Smith said that

“It is indeed a comfort to know that there is always abiding with me a divine, all-seeing Comforter, who will reprove me for all my faults, and will not let me go on in a fatal unconsciousness of them."

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

 

The trouble is that the enemy wants me and you to feel discouraged, dirty and destroyed by those bad days. He wants the discipline to JUST HURT not help. He wants us discouraged rather than convicted. That is why he fills our head with lies like:

 

“GOD can’t forgive you for that.”

 

“GOD is weary with your nonsense.”

 

“GOD just gave up.”

 

Yet the truth is GOD’s faithfulness supersedes our sinfulness. Without question or debate as the song so eloquent puts it, GOD’s grace is greater than all our sin.

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12 (ESV)

 

So, I want to offer some TRUTH to remember when “the day gets away” from you and the enemy starts in with the lies.

 

“Great is our sinfulness … but great is GOD’s faithfulness!”

 

“We may grow weary … but God is tireless.”

 

“We may want to give up … but God never will.”

 

“We may have bad days … but GOD is always good.”

 

“We may run hot or cold … but God is always steady and perfect.”

 

“We may disappoint ourselves … but God is incapable of disappointment.”

 

"We may fail a thousand times … but God cannot fail, not even once. Not yesterday, not today, not ever."

 

I love the truth! It is so FREEING! I think I might have read that somewhere...!

 

Days will “get away” but don’t be discouraged!

Instead invest your energies and focus on the truth!

Today WILL BE a better day!

Blessed is the man/woman who remains steadfast…

James 1:12 (ESV)

 

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE