How am I doing??

Do you remember what your resolutions were for the year 2009? (For my list check out this post from last year.) For months now, I have thought about writing a post to let you know how I am doing with my list from I John, but have put it off in hopes of mastering a few of them!! I have come to realize that this is me. I struggle with sin and putting to death my old sinful flesh and allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest himself inside of me. I'm not okay with it and want my story to be different, but I also realize that as long as I am in this fallen world, I will wrestle with sin. I can do good for a few weeks while I try hard (in my own strength) to do battle with my flesh, but my flesh always seems to win. I don't know about you, but I get tired of the battle. Tired of failing over and over again. Why would God choose to love a sinful being like me? I may never know the answer to that question this side of heaven, but I am sure thankful for His unending love and his unfailing grace! I think we get to see a tiny picture of that parental love when we have children of our own!

In my self examination, and through conviction of the Holy Spirit, I am determined to put on my armour today, right now and be prepared for Satan's temptations that I know will come at any minute. But I also want to encourage you to stay in the battle! Don't give up when you fail over and again and think everyone else around you has no sin issues. When I start to look at other people and compare my life and heart issues to what I think theirs are, I fall deeper into the pit of pride and self-glorification. Instead, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:12) This sanctification process is hard, but I can't wait for the day when I am fully glorified in the presence of my Savior and struggle no more with this earthly body! Here is the armour of God as written in Galatians 5 by a man who knew what it was like to put to death his old self and walk in the fullness of Christ! I am praying for YOU as well as strap on my armour tonight!

"11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."