Day of Decision

TODAY'S PRAYER
Lord, I desire to live as one
Who bears a blood-bought name,
As one who fears but grieving Thee,
And knows no other shame.*


Today I resolved something that has taken me a long time to come to a resolution on. I have had so many things pointing me to this decision and in a grievous experience yesterday - one added to many that have confused, depressed, and challenged me lately I saw the light, finally.

I am greedy, I am not walking in faith - I must change the tense there to, was. I was being greedy I was walking in the flesh not in faith. Tonight I found the above prayer on:

http://www.truthforlife.org/site/PageServer?pagename=tls_overview
It was clear - because I had just spoken exactly that sentiment to my new friend - that I am not ashamed not to be well-off economically at my age. I know I am no less blessed than those that are 'well-heeled'.

In fact I know that I am blessed because the book of Matthew says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit". By world standards I would not be considered blessed but in the midst of my culture, my associates I qualify as poor. But although it would be a lie to say one is overjoyed when there is a shortage of money to supply the basic needs; while the practical knowledge that you have a shortfall of cash can concern you, that cannot remove the joy of the Lord which is one of the 'fruits of the Spirit'. 

Spiritually I'm rich in that knowledge and experiencing the presence of Jesus.  So, I don't feel poor, I know I'm not but I'm looked upon by many as poor - that's OK. I know in my heart how very rich I am in Christ Jesus. Yet, I have concerns about how to remedy the economics of my life and seek God's guidance to teach me that. 

Although I bear no shame for my economic circumstance I see there are ways that I have been walking in disobedience. There are things I must do to be obedient to the word of God and a couple of those things I have waited long to do just because I fear, because I can't seem to get the word of the world out of my head on those matters but, I know what a tremendous relief I've felt to state verbally to my friend that I do know how to have peace and joy even in a climate where there are many who will call me 'fool' for what I propose to do.

So in quotation marks below you will find the portion of the devotional on that same web page as the above prayer. Reading it was like that proverbial light going on in the semi-darkness - I had a little light from the window of realizing where my problem was coming from, but I read these words, I knew that section of the devotional was speaking directly to my situation and was the bright light I needed shed on the matter to confirm that my decision to truly begin to walk by faith is the right decision. I want to be in God's will about ALL that I do ALL the time.

" Have you given up trusting in earthly things? Are you seeking each day to live above worldliness, the pride of life, and the ensnaring grip of greed? Remember, it is in order that you might know such victory that you have been enriched with the treasures of God. If you are really the chosen of God, and beloved by Him, do not allow all this lavish treasure of grace to be wasted on you. Pursue holiness; it is the Christian's crown and glory. An unholy church is useless to the world and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination, hell's laughter, heaven's abhorrence. The worst evils that have ever come upon the world have been brought upon her by an unholy church. O Christian, the vows of God are upon you. You are God's servant: Act as such. You are God's king: Reign over your lusts. You are God's chosen: Do not associate with Satan. Heaven is your portion: Live like a heavenly spirit, and in this way you will prove that you have true faith in Jesus, for there cannot be faith in the heart unless there is holiness in the life."*





* Please note: Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.