~ "...and I do it too!!!"

Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (Rom 7:20)

Confused? I know I was the first time I read that verse! I had to re-read it three times slowly!

The closer you are to Jesus, the easier it is to know your sins. They haunt you. They eat at you. They continue to push you towards acknowledgement and when Jesus has a hold of your heart, it is very difficult to walk away. And he always gives you enough time to realize it before it's too late!

We are all tempted. Even Jesus was tempted. Knowing that doesn't make it easier to resist, it just makes you feel like you're in good company. When we truly want to obey God, we struggle and fight to attain the grace which is promised to us by our maker. He does not fail us, we fail us! We all have free will to pick and choose right from wrong. Knowing what God expects from us is half of the battle. But what do we do when presented with a challenge that we cannot see ourselves coming through as God would have us come through it? How do we fight off the demon inside of us that wants what it wants? How do we not do what we don't want to do in our hearts?

We pray. We wait patiently on the Lord and he will deliver us. He will bring us to through to the other side. If we continue to want to walk in his ways, he will continue to guide us. Right now, today, I struggle with what is right in front of me. I have to take a deep breath and again ask for his grace and mercy and almighty hand to secure my steps. It's all too easy to fall.

We always think we know what we want, God knows what we need. He reminds me that I am his and he won't let me fall. Letting him guide me was probably the hardest decision I've ever made, and it continues to be the only decision that makes any sense in my life. If I let him lead, I won't get lost. If I let him choose for me, I won't be disappointed. Don't let the evil one in and don't let his temptations take hold of your heart. Let Jesus comfort you in your time of fear and let him hold you close and all that is not of God will fall away. Do right by him and you will understand his plan for you!