Seven Journaling Jots to Inspire You #Week 11
A simple Biblical principle to avoid the pitfalls of sin -- or bad habits
My weekly personal note:
(Skip down to the weekly journal jots if you prefer.)
Good afternoon Friend,
I had an absolutely wonderful weekend last week… I was able to visit my sons and see their brand-new apartment, and visit their new church. It was a memorable gift from God to experience that time.
(I’m short on time right now and will keep my chat super short.)
You know, this is sort of a random thought, but something that’s been on my heart lately….
My heart aches for people who seem to keep falling back into the pitfalls of sin. You know they want to do right, but just kind of keep returning to that same old, same old thing.
We can be swift to judge, but when I think about how many times I’ve said, “I’m NOT going to eat those sugar-laden desserts any more!” — and then there I am, a few days later, eating them again. Sigh.
We often have our own bad habits that we struggle with…even though it may not be what we consider a “big” sin. We all have different things that tempt us. My temptations may be completely different from yours. Satan knows our weaknesses and will keep putting those temptations in front of us.
In saying that, we ought to have compassion for others who struggle. We need to encourage and lift them up, instead of kicking them further down in the dirt.
There is one simple Biblical principle to remember to help us stay away from sin…
Don’t provide for the flesh!
Romans 13:14 (kjv) says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
We definitely need the Holy Spirit’s help in gaining victory over our sin. We can’t do it alone…
But, after the Holy Spirit does His part — we have to do our own part in avoiding that sin by not making it easy to fall back into it.
Proverbs 4:15 (kjv) really pinpoints the issue: “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”
If I don’t swing by the bakery at the grocery store, I won’t see those tempting cakes. And if I don’t put it in my shopping cart, I probably won’t buy it. LOL And better yet, if I don’t bring it home, I can’t eat it! Ha!
Someone who has temptation with alcohol may have to drive a couple of blocks out of their way to avoid driving by a liquor store on their way home.
In summarizing these thoughts today, let’s work on teaching our young people these same Biblical principles. And as Christians, let’s mentor other new Christians by encouraging and sharing Biblical principles that will help them grow in the knowledge of the Lord.
Keep walking in faith,
Rhonda White
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” - Psalm 51:10 kjv
REMINDER: FREE! May’s Bible Reading Schedule N Printables
(Bible Reading Calendar, Memory Verse, Memory Verse Weekly Planner, Journal Jots, Bible Study Notes)
Bookmark, Download or Print: (This month’s: pp. 36-40)
https://media.publit.io/file/HCHContent/May-2021-Bible-Reading-Schedule-Printables.pdf
(Save the image above and find a creative way to use it.)
7 Journal Jots: (Use these ideas for your own journal or ministry)
To live a righteous life, you must be TEACHABLE. Let the Holy Spirit teach you from the Word of God. Refuse to be stubborn and proud; listen to wise counsel. (“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” - Proverbs 11:2 kjv)
Keep your TEMPER — Know nobody else wants it!
Note: Calcium hypochlorite is a powder form of chlorine that dissolves harmlessly in a swimming pool, but explodes when placed under pressure. “Let the water of God dissolve those things which could cause you to lose your honor.” (example, your temper) - Refreshing Daily in God’s Word, May 2021 issue
“When a Christian leader full of high ideals lives a holy and joyful life in front of unbelievers, they often want to cultivate a similar experience.” - J. Oswald Sanders
“Leadership doesn’t come overnight. It takes time, integrity, and intestinal fortitude to become an honorable leader.” - RDIGW, May 2021 issue (Ask GOD to help you become an honorable leader.) [Intestinal fortitude: strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger.]
“You can be assured that the GOD who orchestrates and harmonizes all the world knows exactly what you need for the job He wants you to do.” - Elisabeth Elliot
*QUESTION: What kind of impression are you leaving on others? What’s their first impression of you?