Turning Away...Week 2

First Step:  Admit You Have A ProblemI've heard that when you show up for help most professionals affirm that the first step to defeating demons of any kind is to admit you have a problem!

Part one of this year's focus scripture is Romans 3:23:  "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."

This week I challenge us to begin with Step 1: Admit You Have A Problem!  Now, don't get too defensive while reading this.  The "You" is a corporate "You".  If I were to change my language, I would say: Let US Admit that WE have a Problem!  Paul told the church at Rome "...ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  Therefore, you and I have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.  In order for God to alleviate the problem, we must admit that we have that problem.

Let us spend this week focusing on all areas of our lives and the ways we fall short in them.  Let us really examine ourselves and whether or not God is being glorified by the conversations that we have or the behaviors that we engage in.  Too often we get comfortable with the way we are or the way things have always been done.  When we reach that place in our walk, we begin to sin more easily because our "righteous radar" has been compromised.  It is easier to say whatever comes to mind...it is easier to do whatever one feels like doing...and the list goes on.  We have a problem!  Let's begin to work towards a solution through this week's challenge questions.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I fall short of God's glory and sin?
How can I improve my relationship with God by admitting that even I have a problem?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we desire to be pleasing in Your sight in all areas of our lives.  We do not want to be a public witness and a private spectacle.  We want you to be pleased in public and pleased in private with who we are and who we show others.  Help us to use this week to consecrate ourselves to hear from You.  Help us to be sensitive to Your chastisement and not to become complacent in how we have always been or what we have always done.  We set ourselves aside for Your glory!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lenten Season 2015: Turn Away From Sin

Your Lenten Fast Preparation is the Key to Success! Before beginning your Lenten Fast, I urge you to pray.  It is important that you truly seek God about what you are going to sacrifice during the Lenten season.  Your sacrifice should be meaningful to you.  What do you eat all of the time OR do all of the time?  What really means a lot to you? Once you determine what you are sacrificing, I urge you to focus on areas in your life in which you are falling short.  Romans 3:23-24 reminds us that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  This is where our corporate theme is founded. This year, I challenge us to make an intentional effort to "Turn Away From Sin".  The fancy word we have heard over and over again in church is: REPENT!  Well, that's the kind of heart we approach this season with; however, this year let us really be about it!  Let us examine every single aspect of our lives and ask God to show us the short fall and help us to TURN AWAY!