Blessing Guilt

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:3&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+3:8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17:10&version=NIV1984

Survivor Guilt.  Or Survivor’s Syndrome.  This is a condition where a person feels guilty for surviving an incident that someone else did not.  For example, some of our soldiers who have fought in Iraq or Afghanistan experience this as they deal with the death of their comrades.  They feel guilty that they survived an attack while one, or several, of their friends died.  Survivor’s Guilt can also be experienced by people who survive an accident.  A crime.  Or even a layoff.  Instead of the traditional ‘Why me?’ when misfortune befalls them they ask, ‘Why them and not me?’ when misfortune befalls others.  

Sometimes I think that I have Blessing Guilt.  Don’t bother looking it up because I don’t think it is official.  By Blessing Guilt I mean that a person feels guilty for being blessed in ways that others aren’t.  I confess that I experience this from time to time.

By all accounts I am a very blessed man.  I have a wonderful wife who is incredibly gifted, loyal, and loving, and we have been married for 36 years.  I have 3 wonderful children who are now adults who I am very proud of.  I have 4 precious grandchildren (with another one on the way in a couple months) who are cute, loving, and talented.  I own a nice home.  We own 2 cars.  I am a pastor.  Every week I get to study, pray, and preach - and get paid for it!  I serve a wonderful congregation whom I love and who loves me in return.  I have great health.  I can see.  Hear.  Talk.  Walk.  And many other things.  You see, I am a very blessed man.  And I know it.  I also know this.  I don’t deserve it.

Now some would challenge me on this.  They would say that I deserve to be blessed because I have been faithful and true to God.  And so it is only right and natural that God has blessed me.  I understand this.  But I also know that there are many other Christians who aren’t as blessed as I am.  They have gone through a divorce.  Or lost a spouse in an accident.  Or to an illness.  They may have a child who is developmentally-disabled.  Or who died.  Or who is addicted to drugs or alcohol.  They don’t have a ‘career’.  They have a dead-end job that doesn’t even begin to pay the bills.  They may not own their own home.  Or have a very reliable vehicle.  They may not enjoy good health.  They may not have many family and friends who love them.  They might not even live in this country.  They may be living in a country that is opposed to the Gospel.  Like China.  Or Saudi Arabia.  Or North Korea.  The fact is that there are untold millions of Christians around the world who don’t enjoy anywhere near the blessings that I do.  Yet God loves them just as much as He loves me.  And their faithfulness and loyalty to Him may far exceed my own.  Now you understand why there are times when I experience Blessing Guilt.

What to make of all this?  When I stop and think about it, all I can do is to chalk it up to the Sovereignty of God.  I don’t enjoy the blessings I do because I deserve it.  Because I don’t.  It is only by the sheer goodness of God that I have been born in this land of plenty.  And been given so much.  All I can do is to thank God for the blessings He sends my way.  To receive them with humbleness and gratitude.  To enjoy them because this is why God has given them to me.  I also understand that I need to share what I have been given.  Instead of selfishly hoarding it.  Or spending it only on myself.

The Bible tells us that God is a righteous Judge.  Someday He will reward each person according to what they have done with what He has given them.  (See The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25)  I take great comfort in this.  Others who didn’t receive anywhere near the blessings that I have will be rewarded.  Fairly.  By God.  And I won’t mind.  Those who didn’t have much of this world’s blessings deserve to experience them in Heaven.  I won’t be jealous.  I’ll be happy for them.  And together we’ll take the crowns and rewards that we receive and lay them at Jesus’ feet.  Because, ultimately, He is the only One who deserves them!

Lord, I thank you for the many, many blessings that I enjoy.  I receive them with gratefulness, knowing that I don’t deserve them.  Help me to enjoy all the blessings that You have given me.  And to be careful to share them with others.  And to use them to advance Your kingdom.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A. B. Simpson

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2028:18-20&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2024:14&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202:18&version=NIV

Since Don Dillavou did his A. B. Simpson characterization this morning in our Worship Service I thought that I would post some biographical information about this great man of God:

Albert Benjamin Simpson was born December 15, 1843 in Bayview, Prince Edward Island, Canada.  Very early in life Simpson felt the call of God on his life and later experienced a dramatic conversion to faith in Jesus Christ.  By ‘dramatic’ I mean complete.  Simpson gave his whole life over to Jesus - lock, stock and barrel.

Simpson later attended Knox College in Toronto, Canada.  After graduating in 1865 he accepted a pastorate at Knox Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ontario.  That same weekend Simpson married Margaret Henry.  Two huge events in a single weekend.  It was a portent of the kinds of things that Simpson would later accomplish.

In 1873 Simpson became the pastor of the Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.  After that he accepted an invitation to pastor the Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church in New York City.  As it is today, New York City was then teeming with immigrants from many countries.  Simpson ministered to these down-and-out foreigners bringing them into his fashionable church.  Unfortunately they weren’t welcome.  As a result of this Simpson resigned and struck out on his own.  No church.  No money.  Only a strong conviction from God that he should start his own church.  A church where all people - the poor, homeless, sick, and displaced - would be welcome.

Gradually this led Simpson to being concerned about the unreached masses of the world.  People in faraway lands who had never heard the name of Jesus.  People who were doomed to a Christ-less eternity.  Unless someone did something.  That ‘someone’ was Simpson.  That ‘something’ would later become a denomination that would send missionaries to the four corners of the earth.

At first, Simpson gathered like-minded people from many denominations around him who had a heart for missions.  They met on Sunday afternoons for teaching, fellowship and prayer.  That led to the formation of two ‘Alliances’ - one for the furtherance of holy living here in the United States - and another one for the sending and support of missionaries around the world.  Eventually these two Alliances combined to form the Christian & Missionary Alliance.

In the beginning the Christian & Missionary Alliance consisted of people who had a passion for holiness and missions.  Over the years, as many denominations began drifting away from the Gospel message, these people only attended C&MA meetings.  Soon C&MA churches were formed.  Eventually, though not Simpson’s intention, it became a denomination as it is today.

Simpson, after experiencing divine healing earlier in his life, was an indefatigable worker.  In addition to overseeing the C&MA, he founded and edited a magazine dedicated to missions.  He also started a Missionary Training Institute so that the C&MA would have a ready supply of committed and trained missionaries to send out.  In addition, Simpson also founded a home for unwed mothers, an orphanage and a dispensary for the poor.  The stamina, drive and vision of the man was simply amazing.  He lived in the Spirit and the Spirit worked though him to accomplish nothing short of the miraculous.

I admire Simpson.  One man, sold out to God.  With God's help he realized a vision that reached thousands of people around the world for Christ.  That vision is still going strong.  And is currently reaching tens of millions of people.  That same opportunity to serve God is ours as well.  No we may never found a denomination.  Or a magazine.  Or an orphanage.  But we can do great things for Christ, may I say, through Christ, as well.  The reality is that there are still millions of people in the world today who don’t know about Jesus.  Some of them live right where we live.  There is still a great need to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world.  To minister to widows & orphans.  The poor.  The persecuted.  The uneducated.  Single moms and dads.  One could very well make a case that the current needs of our world are greater than they ever have been.

What is it that God is calling you to do?  In what ways does He want you to make a difference?  God’s power is just as available to us today as it was to Simpson.  The question is, Will we choose to take advantage of it?  Will we sell ourselves completely out to God?  Will we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to transform our world?

Pray.  Ask God what He would have you to do.  Then do it with all your might.  Depending upon Him for direction, strength and results.

Lord, I thank you for A. B. Simpson and the incredible impact that he has had upon our world.  I thank you that I am a part of a denomination that cares about holy living.  And reaching the lost.  Help me to be completely sold out to You.  To be used by You to make a difference in the world.

Never Give Up!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:39-43&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203:9&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:9&version=NIV1984

Today we had Don Dillavou speak at our monthly Men of Faith breakfast.  Don is basically our Assistant District Superintendent.  He shared about the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5.  Interwoven with the story of Naaman, Don shared a personal story.  About his dad.

Don had a good dad.  Not a godly dad.  But a good dad.  At some point in time Don accepted Christ and was called into ministry.  Don’s dad was OK with that.  But he, himself, wasn’t ‘in’.  And had no desire to be.  Over the years Don tried to witness to his dad because he was concerned about his eternal destiny.  Though not hostile, his dad wasn’t interested.  Don then shared a couple examples of his dad’s opposition to the Gospel over the years.

One day Don’s dad was visiting their house.  His granddaughter (Don’s daughter) asked him to come into her bedroom.  While checking it out she sat on the bed and opened up a Gospel tract.  She was concerned about her grandfather’s soul and wanted to make sure that he knew Jesus as his Savior.  As she started to talk about Jesus her grandfather stopped her.  No offense, but he wasn’t interested.  He left the room.  This devastated his granddaughter.  She cried.

Later when Don’s daughters (he has 3 of them) went to college he would slip them a little money from time to time.  Something to help them out.  But when he did so he would always tell them - ‘This money’s for you.  Don’t give any of it to the church.’

Well, the years kept going by and Don’s dad kept getting older and older.  Finally he reached the ripe, old age of 90.  And his wife as well.  By this time they had also been married 69 years.  So their children and several friends decided to throw a party for them.  After the party Don was alone with his dad.  His dad asked Don a couple questions.  “If a person became a Christian, what kind of changes could they expect to see in their life?”  “How does a person become a Christian?”  Clearly he was now interested in spiritual matters.  So Don answered his dad’s questions the best that he could.  But his dad still wasn’t ready.  So Don prayed (with his dad’s agreement) that God would guide him in his search.

A couple months later Don was visiting his dad and brought up their previous conversation.  Don was curious whether his dad remembered it?  And whether he had made any decision yet?  Don’s dad did remember it.  As they were driving in the car he shared with Don that he was a Christian, and did believe in Jesus as his Savior.  Just to make sure Don led his dad in prayer asking Jesus to be his Savior.  It was one of the highlights of Don’s life!

What a touching story!  And an instructive one as well.  As he shared with us this morning, there were many times when Don thought that his dad would never respond to Jesus.  So he didn’t pray as often or as fervently as he should have.  Yet God was still faithful and his dad finally did believe.  At 90!  Who knew?

The point is that we should never give up praying for the salvation of others.  Family.  Friends.  Co-workers.  Anyone.  We know that it is God’s desire that they repent and come to Him in faith.  So when we pray for them we know that God is on our side.  But when we pray and don’t see any change or interest we can get discouraged.  And discouraged people don’t pray very often.  Or very passionately.  The result is that sometimes we give up.  Which we should never do.  We need to continue to be faithful to pray.  To pray as long and as often as it takes.  To not take ‘no’ for an answer.

So, who are you praying for these days?  Do you believe that God wants them in the Kingdom?  Do you believe that your prayers are making a difference?  That God is actively at work, behind-the-scenes, even though you can’t see any evidence of it?  Well He is!  So keep on praying.  Pray hard.  Pray often.  Never give up. See what God will do!

Lord, I thank you for those unknown people who prayed for me.  I praise You that their prayers were answered!  Help me to be faithful in my prayers for the lost.  Help me to believe that You hear my prayers.  That you want these people to come to You.  Help me to remain faithful.  And in due time may they respond and come into the Kingdom!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OMG

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%206:9&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:7&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=unwholesome&qs_version=NIV

If you text or post on facebook a lot then you know what these initials mean.  They are the abbreviation for a popular saying, ‘Oh my God!’.  No doubt you have heard the expression before.  It seems like practically everyone uses it these days.  I hear it all the time.  On  television.  The radio.   In conversations.  I see it (usually abbreviated) on facebook and on blogs.  It has become a universal expression.  As such it is used in a variety of ways.  To express shock or disbelief.  To show surprise.  Or simply as a figure of speech.

Most people probably don’t have any scruples over using it.  As I said, so many people use it as a regular part of their vocabulary that it doesn’t even raise an eyebrow.  However, as a Christian, I have always felt a little uncomfortable when I hear it.  Call me old-fashioned but why would I want to mention the name of God in situations where I really am not even thinking about Him?  It seems like a rather careless and frivolous use of His name.  Even if it is His generic name.  No, I don’t believe that it’s the same as swearing or taking His name in vain.  But it is close.  Close enough that I prefer not to use it.

My understanding of God’s name, whether you want to use the generic ‘God’, or a specific name of His, is that it is sacred.  Holy.  Special.  Obviously we need to use His name when referring to Him.  And He is OK with that.  But using His name also comes with a certain amount of responsibility.  I take this to mean that we should use His name with respect.  Fear.  Awe.  Somehow blurting out His name dozens of times a day, without even thinking about Him, just to express surprise or shock, doesn’t seem very respectful.

The point is that there is a specialness to God.  He is different.  Vastly different from any human being.  Infinitely so.  He is the very embodiment of holiness.  Purity.  Righteousness.  This specialness applies to anything associated with God.  His name.  His word, the Bible.  His church.  His people. 

Now I’m not going to be dogmatic or legalistic about this.  If you want to continue to use this expression that’s between you and God.  I prefer to say something else.  Such as ‘Oh my gosh’ or ‘Oh my goodness’.  I know that there are some who would take exception to using even these expressions.  They would prefer something quite different from OMG altogether.  As I said, I believe that this is a matter of personal preference.  It is between the individual and God. 

To me, this and many other things that we say and do, fall under the broad category of I Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  I love God.  I want to honor Him.  And treat Him with the respect and awe that He deserves.  I hope that you do too.

Lord, I thank you that because of the blood of Jesus I now have a relationship with You.  And that I can come confidently before Your Presence.  Help me never to abuse this privilege.  Or to treat You, or anything about You, in a vulgar or disrespectful manner.  Including Your wonderful, holy, majestic name.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Rewards Of Faith

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1:27&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10:38&version=KJV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017:5-6&version=NASB

Tonight was a very special night.  At 9 PM I arrived at Glacier Park International Airport with my 2 grandsons, Brett & Jaydon.  The reason?  To meet Mamush.  Mamush is the 6-year-old adopted son of Casey & Lacey Bertram from our church.  The Bertrams had just arrived at the airport minutes earlier after picking him up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  A little over a year ago the Bertram’s felt God’s call to adopt Mamush.  It has been quite the journey.  You can read about the experience in their own words (with pictures) at http://bertramfamilyblog-bertrams.blogspot.com/.

After securing the necessary financing for the adoption and successfully jumping through all the hoops, the Bertrams were ready to go get their son in June.  They hoped that they would be on their way to Ethiopia in July.  Or August at the latest.  Unfortunately a lot of changes took place in the adoption system in Ethiopia.  A number of adoption centers were closed.  And the entire process slowed down dramatically.  To a snail’s pace.

So July came and went.  As did August.  Then the Bertram’s received some disappointing news that they weren’t as far along in the process as they were led to believe.  What was God doing?  Were they going to get Mamush or not?  A little uneasiness began to creep into the situation.  Then September came and went.  And so did October.  The Bertram’s had now spent a whole year trying to adopt Mamush.  As Lacey wryly observed, a couple can produce their own child in 9 months!  Months passed by with very little progress.  Fortunately pictures of Mamush would arrive just when the Bertram’s needed a little encouragement.

Then God fast-forwarded the situation.  And how.  Within days of hearing that the adoption was a ‘go’ the Bertrams were on a plane headed to Ethiopia and their son.  Tonight, less than a week after they left Kalispell, the Bertrams arrived back home again, Mamush with them.  What a wonderful scene it was as the Bertram’s 3 children got to meet the newest member of their family.  And how special it was to see so many friends and family at the airport as well, to meet Mamush and to congratulate and support the Bertrams.

At our house, our grandchildren have prayed for Mamush at every meal for months on end.  There’s something special about a child praying for another child.  There’s this instant kind of connection.  So earlier tonight when I told Brett & Jaydon to get their coats on because we were going to the airport to meet Mamush they were excited.  What a great experience for them.  A flesh-and-blood answer to their prayers.  And in the weeks and months ahead I am sure that they are going to get very well acquainted with their new friend.

So what are the lessons learned in all this?  Quite a few actually.  That God rewards faith.  When He puts a dream in our hearts He will make a way for it to come true.  Patience is still a virtue.  God’s timing is always perfect.  That one couple who step out in faith can affect an entire church.

As a pastor I sometimes deal with situations that are difficult.  Sad.  Tragic.  People drift away from God.  Others get divorced.  Some get cancer.  Others ruin their health through addictions.  How great it is to be involved in a situation where God is at work.  Where people do the right thing, even though it may be difficult and costly.  And God rewards them.  Talk about encouragement.  And faith-building.  This is it!

Obviously not everyone can adopt a child.  Or should.  But everyone can step out in faith and make a difference.  Somewhere.  At work.  At school.  At church.  In the community.  And when we do, God will reward that faith.  He will come through.  He will make it happen.  And when it does, we will be emboldened to take another step of faith.  And another.  And others will be emboldened as well.  It is the ultimate win-win situation.

Thank you Casey & Lacey for showing us what faith is all about.  For inspiring us.  And challenging us.  And showing us how it’s done!

Lord, I thank you for the Bretram’s safe arrival tonight with their adopted son, Mamush.  I pray that in the years ahead that Mamush grows up to be a godly young man.  I ask that You will give Casey & Lacey strength, patience, love and whatever else they need to realize this goal.  I ask that their adoption would be the catalyst for more steps of faith in our church.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

20 Years

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:13-15&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:24-25&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2090:12&version=NIV

20 years.  That’s 2 decades.  A lot can happen in that amount of time.  For example, if they only served one term each, this would mean that 5 Presidents would have been in office.  That really puts 20 years into perspective, doesn’t it?  A quick look at technology will also demonstrate how long 20 years is.  20 years ago hardly anyone had a personal computer.  There were no such things as CD’s & DVD’s.  There were no cell phones.  Or smart phones.  Or iPods.  Or iPads.  No internet.  No flatscreen TV’s.  Or HD.  How did we ever live without all these things?
 

As of the end of August I am embarking on my 20th year of ministry.  All at the same church.  My first church.  No one would have thought that would happen 20 years ago.  There was some discussion on the Board at the time about whether I had enough experience?  (I didn’t.)  There was also some concern about whether a native New Yorker would do well in northwest Montana?  (I have.)  In the end it was one Board member, Steve Bakke, who persuaded the church to hire me.  Thanks Steve!  When I arrived I was hoping that, best case scenario, I would make it 10 years.  I am now in the process of doubling that.  Who knew?

Of course, a lot of ministry has happened over these almost 20 years.  I’ve preached close to 1,000 sermons.  Taught countless Sunday School classes.  And led numerous Board meetings.  I’ve also officiated at many weddings, funerals, and child dedications.  I’ve baptized a number of people and been privileged to lead many to the Lord.  Tens of thousands of prayers have been answered.  During this time a lot of people have come and gone in the church.  Some have died.  Some have moved.  Others have simply left.  There’s only a handful of people who still attend who were here 20 years ago.

As I go through my 20th year of ministry it is a time of celebration.  Certainly God has blessed both me, my family, and our church in many ways. So many people have prayed, given, loved and served in order to get this far.  It is also a time for reflection.  What has God done?  Where has He worked?  What still needs to be done?  What does He want us to do?  How have I grown as a pastor?  As a child of God?  Where do I still need to grow?

So, how does one go about reaching a significant milestone in ministry?  Or a job?  Or marriage?   One day at a time.  That is the irony in all this.  In between the great days and the bad ones, are thousands of ordinary days.  Days when nothing extraordinary happened.  But it is all these ordinary days that add up to produce a milestone.  A legacy.  A life.

That’s why faithfulness is so important.  Simply getting up each day and doing what we know we are supposed to do.  Doing God’s will, the best we understand it, the best we know how.  If we keep doing this, the milestones will come.  And eventually the rewards.  In Heaven.  By Jesus.  Now that is something to look forward to.  And work toward!

Lord, I thank you for the significant milestones that occur in my life.  Birthdays.  Anniversaries.  Years of ministry.  These are a result of my faithfulness to You and Your faithfulness to me.  Thank you for being there in the good times, the bad times, and in the ordinary days in between.  Help me to continue to depend on You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Danger Of Sin

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%204:6-7&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:13-15&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:19&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2012:1&version=NIV1984

Beth and I pulled into the parking lot at church early this past Sunday like we always do.  As we did so I noticed a senior citizen walking by.  They were just past the parking lot walking on the sidewalk so I couldn’t tell if they were a man or a woman.  Whoever it was had on a winter coat with a hood pulled over their head.  They also had both hands on their walker as they proceeded slowly down the street.  If that was all that I had seen I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought.  It is not uncommon to see senior citizens using walkers.  Especially in our neighborhood.  There are 4 senior citizen’s apartments within 3 blocks of our church.  And the Senior Citizen’s Center is kitty-corner.

What really caught my attention was that I noticed some vapor around their head.  At first I thought it was their breath.  After all, it was pretty cold.  But upon closer inspection I realized that it was smoke.  Sure enough I caught a glimpse of a cigarette in their mouth.  So here they were, going down the street, walking behind their walker, puffing on a cigarette.  And I mean puffing.  I don’t think I have ever seen that much smoke come from a single cigarette.  The irony is that they were walking away from the church.  Somehow it was fitting.

What a sad sight that was.  Someone who could barely walk, who had to have both hands on their walker, addicted to cigarettes so badly that they had to have one perched between their lips.  I vacillated between feeling pity for them and disgust.  After all these years they still hadn’t got victory over a bad habit.  It just goes to show that old age is not necessarily a guarantee of wisdom.

Sadly, scenes such as this are on display every day in our culture.  People who are caught in the throes of all kinds of habits and/or addictions.  Gambling.  Alcohol.  Smoking.  Drugs.  Sex.  Gossip.  Lying.  Legalism.  Somewhere in the past it gained a foothold in their life.  And it grew from there.  Year after year they have remained in its grip.  Never changing.  Never knowing freedom.

This is what sin does.  It seeks to gain entrance into our lives.  At first it appears to be rather harmless.  Even attractive.  Inviting.  But once we give into it, it quickly changes.  It becomes aggressive.  Possessive.  It seeks more and more control.  Gradually it becomes a habit.  Then an addiction.  One day we realize that we are no longer in control.  Our sin has enslaved us.  We try to fight it but it isn’t easy.  The longer we have been held in its grasp the more difficult it is to become free.  The result is that some people simply give up.  They resign themselves to the fact that this is who they are.  A few even embrace their addiction.

The moral of the story?  We need to guard ourselves.  To be vigilante.  We need to treat every sin, no matter how small, as a mortal enemy.  As something that wants to control us.  And ruin us.  This means that we need to resist it.  Run away from it.  We need to do whatever we have to do to keep from having it invade our lives.  The stakes are high.  Satan plays for keeps.  And if he cannot claim our soul he will settle for having as much control over us as he possibly can.  He wants us to be useless.  Ineffective.

The older I become the more I realize that the Christian life is a battle.  Every day.  So we better be prepared for it.  We do this by putting on the armor of God.  By trusting in the Lord.  Walking in the Spirit.  This doesn’t mean that we won’t occasionally sin.  But hopefully it means that we won’t allow Satan to gain any footholds in our lives either.  That we are quick to repent.  Quick to confess.  Quick to get back in step with the Spirit.  If not, who knows, but that we could become a pathetic figure ourselves.  Someone whom others pity.  Or worse yet, find disgusting.

Lord, help me to treat every sin as a dangerous, mortal enemy.  As something that wants to defeat me.  Control me.  Enslave me.  I thank you that You always make a way to escape the temptations that I face.  And that You provide forgiveness when I fail.  Help me to live in the freedom that is my right as one of Your children.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.