daily prayer

Good morning! How are we faithing? Honesty with ones self is hard. We make excuses for our actions, justify sin with arguments that sound like we are making meritorious choices. Any time we pick a sinful behavior instead of not we are rationalizing it so we don't feel guilt. The human pursuit of pleasure and happiness over rides sound judgement because we are selfish by nature. Be honest with your self. "I want that new car", "I like drinking", I enjoy a good cigar". If that is the truth, why do we say thinks to make those desires palatable? Because we know some things may not be the right thing to do but our pursuit, our desires are more important than anything else. True? Some choices are indeed made out of necessity or perceived necessity at the time, your car blows up so you go get one. Which one is where that rationalizing comes in. I understand a passion for certain things but do you rule the thing or the other way around? My weakness happens to be cars and that is why this example is used. It's what I know. Being completely honest with ones self is an exercise that is contrary to what our brain tries to do. We see something we want and our mind looks for ways to justify it. Take that thought process captive and ask yourself the hard questions before you act contrary to what God's way says.

James 4:1-3
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
NIV

Jer 17:9-10
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind,to reward a man according to his conduct,according to what his deeds deserve."
NIV

Remember Jim McPherson...remember Shannon Sansare...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all your wisdom found in your Word. Help us keep your ways in the forefront of our minds. Help us make choices that honor and please you. Help us control our desires and not talk ourselves into stuff that is bad for us. Grant us wisdom in our problem solving. Lord, bless those in pain and suffering today. Let them see you, in Jesus' name, amen