Small Groups

Just a thought after hearing the message today.

Imagine all of us as swords. And just like swords we all go through battles. Some are victorious, some are not. Nonetheless swords get dull after each battle good or bad, and need to be sharpened. For us, small groups are like the blacksmith is to the sword. A place where we are welcomed with open arms and are not cast aside. We are sharpened by each other after we are dulled by the battles that we face everyday. Like the sword, once we are sharpened, we are ready for battle again, and we can fight with assurance. If you are not in a small group, you are not being sharpened and a dull blade does no good. I encourage you to be in a small group so that you may be as sharp as you can be, ready for anything the enemy has to through your way. Fighting the fight with God in command.

Lord may your soldiers be sharp so they may carry out the plan you have for them to the fullest. We love you, may you be glorified…amen

Sin…

 

Sin is the everlasting struggle that consumes our thoughts, our actions, and our life, it is inescapable and relentless.

 

If sin is inevitable, then how can we win this unchanging fight between flesh and spirit in our lives?

 

The answer is simple: we can’t.

 

We have to want to repent and turn away, want this fight to be won, want our minds to think pure thoughts, want to be sanctified…but we have to put our pride in a box, and let God be in control of our lives. We cannot to live in sin and think that we can get out on our own, we cannot think that we can fix this problem, cause we cant. Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” We try to break free from this bondage on our own and find ourselves unsuccessful, wondering why we cant just stop. Sin has such a hold on our lives, that we will never be able to conquer it on our own. The quicker we give up fighting for our lives and die to our self, the quicker God can step in and fight.

 

I post this challenge for myself and for whoever reads this:

 

To wake up and put aside our flesh and desire to fight, to give our day and all the sin bound to be in it to him, and take on the love of our God and let him fight, so that a victory may come to us as we rest our heads to sleep.

 

 Lord may we take on this challenge to the fullest. And may we continue to love and serve you. Help us to die to self, so that you may have room to work in us and through us. We love you lord, you are merciful and we are undeserving. May you be glorified in all we do…amen -sancheezee