Gathering at the Well

Good morning, Sisters! As we gather together this morning, drinking deeply from the Living Water of Jesus and His Word, Deb from One Single Minute has asked us to ponder a very thought-provoking topic: Living in an Evil World.

She asks: Do you find yourself taking part in godless living and sinful pleasures?
If so....What steps are you going to take to gain strength in wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God?

It's a heart issue! As I continue to ponder the question and going back to the scripture passage...my mind keeps going back to the "health" of my heart.

Am I pained when I sin?

Do I continue to ask God, "Get my heart right, God!"

Am I grieved when I fall?

Do I seek purity?

Or.....

Have I become "immune" to my sin?

Do I even notice it anymore?

Do I keep "moving the line" a little more...a little more.....a little more....?

Joyce Meyer said something this morning that really resonated with me:

Compromise is when "you go a little below what you know what is right."

Have we, especially as a generation, as the Church, gone a little below what we know is right? Have we let a little more and little more and little more creep in slowly?

Sin is crouching at our door, waiting to devour us.

It begins "small"....watching unwholesome TV or movies (Desperate Housewives, anyone?), listening to unwholesome music, reading "just the headlines" of the gossip magazines in the checkout line....

And before we know it, sin escalates into an affair, living with a boyfriend, pornography.....

We have compromised a little...allowed just a little below what we know is right....and then, a little more....a little more...

So, what do I do?

PRAY!

REPENT!

SEEK JESUS!

READ THE WORD!

I know that the answer has to be seeking Jesus, falling on Him, declaring that I can't do anything without Him, turning AWAY from sin and TO faith, reading the Word so that I know the difference between lies and Truth, and continue to pray for God to purify my thoughts, my motives, my heart....

Jesus died so that we could live a life FREE from sin and death! Jesus told the woman in John 8 to "go and sin no more." He can tell that to her because HE GIVES THE GRACE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT!

Jesus wasn't saying, "You better not mess up again or you'll be on the rock pile tomorrow!" He was saying, "I have given you FREEDOM so that you no longer are a slave to sin!"

The very next words of Jesus after freeing this woman are: "I am the Light of the World! Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

In the REALITY of life, it means I must make some choices.

I have to CHOOSE to turn off the TV (or talk radio, or the computer). For me, it is turning ON Christian teaching- either radio, TV, DVDs (check your church library- they are a great resource!), or Christian blogs. I also have the Bible on CD. When I am working around the house, doing chores, I CHOOSE to turn on things that will renew my mind.

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you were living in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy." 1Peter1:13-16

I want God to reveal to me areas of my heart that are not following Him. I want Him to purify me. I don't want to try to do it in my strength (because that is when I fail!). I want Him to SHINE through me. I continue to PRAY this every day.

.Father God, I love You! I thank You for all You have done! Thank You for Jesus! Thank You that You have given us FREEDOM through Christ! Help us, Lord, to walk in this freedom. Purify our hearts and minds, Lord. Father, show us areas of our lives where we are taking part in godless living and sinful desires. God, get my heart right! Lord, purify Your Church. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

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