Because I didn’t have breakfast

Romans 7:15-20    For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (ESV)

I have wondered about, and I have been criticized for, sharing too much of my personal life. The goal of this ministry is to show you Christ through all the highs and lows of my life. I am a walking and talking example of the grace of God. There is nothing lofty about me, and I seek no attention drawn to anything I say or do. I only seek to be transparent. My goal is to show you I am no different from you; I share many of the same struggles, and I have been delivered from many of the same struggles through Christ. I am a “work in progress”; that process is called Sanctification. That process is God transforming you into the image of His Son; it is never ending, and many times very painful, but it is the goal of God for your life.

I am spiritually tired. I just returned from vacation with my family where we made many great memories that will last a lifetime, but in the midst of a great vacation was an incredible inner struggle in me. I was surrounded (very closely) all day every day with lust, gluttony, extravagance, idolization, selfishness, and a long list of everything the world offers. As a man, I struggled deeply with all that was on “display.” Many women see these opportunities as a chance to stand out from the crowd with their “displays.” I struggled for days in the battle of my mind that Paul describes above. Paul had just spoken of the sin of covetousness; 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. Paul had spoken of how his mind wanted so badly to do good, yet in his flesh he failed due to sin. This battle of good and evil that lies within us.

Do you know why I believe that the level of intensity increased all week? I could not get any alone time with God, to put on the armor of God, through his Word and prayer. Privacy is next to impossible at Disney, and Satan seized that opportunity of weakened defenses. This daily world we live in is no different from Disney. You must seek God out alone each day with no distractions to put on the armor of God to protect you from all the sin the world puts on display before you each day. It gave peace to my soul to be at home, alone, with God this morning. Have you sought Him today as in the first commandment? Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. I will always try to encourage you to spend daily time with God. Your time cultivated with Him each day is where you will see true change in your life. The only way I can face this sin-filled world that tries to knock me down every, single, day; is to start my every, single, day with God in his Word and Prayer.