stealing my freedom

I'm growing weary of everyone else's selfish, sinful decisions stealing my freedom.

All through history it's really what's driven any destructive era of time.  One man or a group of people decide they want something to change, or that their evil desires are most important and it drives movement.  Typically a movement that doesn't consider what the majority of people believe or want.

Even when I've heard of horrible things people have done in our own country, when it's not happening to me, it doesn't effect how I live.  I intend to be more attentive to what's going on in other's lives and pray more, lots more.


This week I've paid attention, I've paid close attention.  Authorities are still telling us not to leave our houses or cars unlocked, and to stay inside if we can.

This morning I had a window of time I could be sitting in my favorite spot on our deck and I've decided to be obedient and do what I've been asked and stay inside.  Not fair!

The sin of even one man can change our lives.

Just like Adam did in the garden.

These troubled people desperately need The Savior and keep looking in all the wrong, selfish, pointless places...

But just like we've been taught from God's Word - evil, trouble, disappointment, sickness always drives us to our knees.  It's completely understandable why God allows trouble in our lives.

We turn to Him. 

all about me

I love my journaling Bible.  I use it to take notes during the pastor's messages. And I love when I study at a later date and come back across my notes.

Today I was reading in Isaiah 6 and came across a note connected to vs. 6.   It says, it's not what goes in the mouth that's sin, it's what comes out.  And "All About Me" is the center point of every single sin we commit.

After reading this I sat for a moment and thought about my own sin and realized this is a completely true statement.

Out of our own selfishness comes lying, cheating, jealousy, unfaithfulness, laziness, acting as if our finances belong only to us instead of totally to the Lord, gluttony - I couldn't think of one single sin that happens that doesn't stem from the All About Me attitude.

Definitely got my attention to do a self-check, to remove the log from my own eye...

God's Word lays it out...we don't have to figure anything out on our own it's all right there - its just a matter of putting our own desires aside and following Him.

what I learned today

I am selfish. I know it, I work on it, I find it hard to share.

I think it comes out of not growing up in a lavish household. My parents worked hard for what we had, and believe me we had more than we needed, but, you know what I mean. Nothing wasteful, home grown food, no extravagant vacations - but, tons of love and laughs. Good stuff.

In John 5 - He talks about the fact that the slave is not greater than his master and how He chose us.

How then do we think that anything we have really belongs to us? I find myself working for the next thing to buy. I act more excited about what the next purchase is than about helping someone financially - giving to orphans as God tells us to - or even just saving instead of spending. American I guess.

He is working on my heart - everything I have is not mine and could be gone in an instant. It really, really is the desire of my heart to bless others with what He has given me - and that's what God's Word reminded me of today. Are you selfish like me?