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Listen while you read: "I Will Sing Of My Redeemer"1 (Lyrics) |
Soft music was playing in the background as I was writing in my journal. It had been a while since my last entry. Again, my writing had been put on the back burner, and I found myself wanting to get back into writing and meditation again.
I know that routine, consistency, and endurance are the keys to success, but I always seem to become deterred from the two things that I cherish the most. Something always seems to come up, and writing and meditation are neglected again.
As I was putting my thoughts down on paper, I thought about my ongoing battle with weight and came to the realization that I do have choices in all that I do or not do, and say or not say. I can't blame anyone for my wrong decisions, and that includes writing and meditation.
As I thought about myself not being consistent, I became upset because of my decision to do something else rather than writing or spending time reading my Bible or watching my intake of sweets or going for a daily walk, and I started praying for God's help. It was the Holy Spirit Who spoke to my heart. The words that I heard cut like a knife, but deep down inside, I knew that they were truth:
Romans 6:16 – Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. (NLT)
And at the same time, a promise:
Romans 6:17-18 – Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 10:13 – The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (NLT)
Prayer: Thank You, God, for continuing to reveal Your truths to us! Grant us the strength and the courage to be consistent and to confront anything that deters us from knowing Your love. Transform our hearts, and resurrect us from wrong choices and temptations. Amen.
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Another good reminder Rosemary.
Thank you for this, it is timely in my life.
Thank you Rosemary. Blessings.
Just loved your devotional and extremely surprised how your concerns mirror mine. Blessings!
Thanks, Rosemary, for your encouragement this a.m. I got the report done!
I love to journal as well. Really appreciated and was blessed by what your wrote.
Rosy,
What a great reminder to keep our priorities in alignment with the tools God has provided. The bible and the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. Thank you, I needed that reminder today.
Dear Rosy,
Thank you for a soundly Biblical and practical devotional. I pray for power of the Holy Spirit for you and all of us who find it hard to be necessarily determinate in choosing what each knows to be best behavior according to God’s will. Let us remember that the power for victory is merely the infinitesimal distance of a prayer away. Amen.
Thank you, Rosemary: I’m having the same issues – have lately been answering the call to daily meditation through the Centering Prayer way.
I have a writing assignment today – not like journalling. I need guidance from my scrambled notes!
I’ve appreciated your writing all along.
Wow, Rosemary, I so needed to hear this this morning. I was doing well with my weight and walking on the treadmill but the Thanksgiving weekend threw me off my routine and I am having a hard time getting back into it. Seems we’ve been busy every day since the long weekend and I just can’t seem to get back at it. Thanks for your message which has inspired me to get back on track and be consistent. I know I feel so much better when I do – physically, emotionally & spiritually. God bless.
Rosemary,
THANK YOU! Your devotional and timing were perfect. I’ve been back-sliding in my struggle and have been procrastinating about getting back on track. Today’s devotional was just the wake-up call that I needed. Don’t you just love it when the Holy Spirit gives that not so gentle nudge!
I, too, have an on going battle with my weight. I’m inconsistent in my efforts to watch what I eat and to make good choices. The Holy Spirit convicted me, also, using the same scriptures. The “mantra” that he gave me was, “It’s not about numbers, it’s about obedience”. I have found this helpful and have used it often as a prayer cry for help when facing temptation. I’m sure it can be reworded to fit just about any choice situation.
Thanks again & blessings to you.
Dear Rosemary
Your devotion topic fits right into my thoughts.
I also fight the battle of the bulge and unless I pray before family events or church potlucks I fall into temptation and don’t look for “God’s way out”. When I was busy with the garden I didn’t go on my walks but now that fall is here I am trying to resume it – make it a priority.
Thanks for reminder to pray in all things.