Turning Over to Evil

"And since they did not think that God was worth knowing, He gave them up to their senseless minds so that they committed all kinds of obscenities. And so they are full of injustice, perversity, greed, evil; they are full of jealousy, murder, strife, deceit, bad will and gossip." - Romans 1:28-29

Today's reading in the letter of John speaks about how those that are in God never sin. When I first read that, I was so confused. I do my best to follow God, but I know I sin several times a day. But then I realized that this isn't what this means. When we decide to follow Jesus and try to do better, God looks at our intentions, what's in our hearts, and that makes us spotless before Him. We will sin, but ultimately, Jesus knows it's because of our weak nature and not because we chose evil over good. On the other hand, true sinners are those that Paul has condemned in this reading from the letter to the Romans. Those people, who know that there is a God, and still refuse to pay Him the respect He deserves, are the sinners of this world. See, when in our hearts, we want to follow Jesus, we sin but God helps us along the way. But when in our hearts, we decide that God isn't worth knowing, that's when God turns us over to our sins. He lets us fall deeper into the evils we seek. We turn into superficial, jealous, bitter, greedy people and that's when we fall even deeper into sin. We wouldn't listen to God before, but by choosing to not follow Him or pay respect, we are left to our own evils by God. That's why we see so many celebrities on TV who let the rock 'n roll lifestyle take them so deep into an abyss. People like that don't have an interest in serving God, and our free will is the most important thing to Him, something God will never violate. Be careful with your choices and where your heart leads you. Don't let any sin or weakness make God turn you over to your own evils.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, help me be ever mindful of my words, thoughts, and actions. Keep me humble and pure of heart so that I seek Your will and not my own. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Good or Bad?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

So many times in life we have to evaluate things and figure out if they're good for us or not, or even worthwhile or not. Sometimes I wish God would just give me a vivid dream in which He tells me exactly what to do so I don't have to figure things out. These fruits of the Holy Sprit are what I call the litmus test for getting our answers. I know someone who's been in a relationship for a while now and I know for a fact that her boyfriend isn't good for her because of the "fruits" of that relationship. I see the relationship breaking down her mental, emotional, and even physical state. I see her family at war with her. When things come from God and are good for us, they bring peace. They build us up and make us transparent people with nothing to hide. Why? Because God wants to better us and bring good things to our lives, so anything that comes from Him, gives us the fruits of the Spirit - peace, patience, fidelity, kindness, etc. There is nothing to hide or conceal. But where there are contant arguments, resentment, hate, jealousy, selfishness, shouting, bitterness, this does not come from God. In fact, the Spirit of God leaves from where this lack of harmony exists. We all need to examine our lives and the people and things in them. Is there something or someone that is bringing you down, causing division and stirring up hate and jealousy? This does not come from God and you need to pray for God to free you from that situation as soon as possible. Nothing good comes from this. And if you see good in your life and feel peace from decisions you have made, God is blessing you for following His will.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, when I lack discernment, please step in and show me where the fruits of the Spirit are. I want to follow You, especially when things are not clear. Help me to see and put Your will into practice. In Your Name we pray, amen.

For The Good of Those Who Love Him

"We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him." - Romans 8:28

Sometimes we get what we want but a lot of times we lose. A lot of times things happen to us that we don't quite understand and those things might cause us to get angry at God and jealous at those who seem to have what we're missing. But put your hope in the Lord because when you do, everything that happens to you, good and bad, is for your ultimate good. Why let anger and disappointment set in when God is working to give you more? When you trust in Him, you will see your prayers answered, maybe not in the form in which you wanted, but He will let you know that He is good and He is alive in your life.

Back in August, I wrote about trusting in God even when things don't work out our way. I wrote about how I lost something I really wanted. That something was a dream job that was offered to me. The company called me in, I met with the head of the online marketing department and it seemed like it was in the bag. I was so so happy. Then, a week later, I found out they couldn't bring me in. I had waited so long for a position like that and then it was gone. I could have asked myself why God would do that to me. Why would He bring in the job, get my hopes up and then take it away? But I didn't. Although I was so hurt I wanted to cry, I thanked Him because of this verse; because He is good and He loves me enough to only give me what's best for me. Fast forward to today and that same guy who interviewed me called me. He called to tell me how he was glad he couldn't bring me in because the label was going through changes, and on Friday they laid off everyone I would have been working with, and I would have been let go too. God took care of me for I know His Name. I didn't doubt, I just trusted and because of this, He showed me why He does things. If this is what He does to protect me, I can only imagine what He'll do to bless me and my future. Put your hope in the Lord. Trust Him, come good or come bad…as badly as your world may shake, the Lord is good and is working on turning your bad into good. Wait on the works of His hands.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, You are good, You are holy, You are just, and You are loving. Thank You for answering my prayers in ways I do not see and for protecting me for I know Your Name. Please help me stay grateful always and help me spread faith in You to others. In Your Name we pray, amen.