We all have some forms of sin, or as my husband Mark, puts it, "Bags of trash to take out," in our lives. Many of my bags of trash were taken out when I first became a Christian. They were the light ones, small and easy to take out. I have to admit, I still have bags of trash laying around in my life.
The bags that are left, are heavier and harder to manage. And unfortunately, I find myself closing my eyes to them at times. I tell myself, "If God wants this garbage out of my life, He's going to have to take it out Himself." And I say, "Hey God, look at all the bags I've already taken out, weren't they enough?"
Those heavy bags are the reoccurring or habitual sin in our lives. I look at these sins as learned habits, because as it says in Romans 6: 6 and 7, "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." When we sin now, a lot of the time it's out of habit, not addiction.
Example: Mark smoked for a large part of his life. He acquired a physical addiction to cigarettes. When he decided to quit smoking, it took a lot of self-control for him to break free of the addiction. After one month of resisting the the urge to smoke, the physical addiction was gone, but the habit that his flesh had learned was still there. For about a year after he quit, he would still reach for those cigarettes that were no longer in his pocket.
Jesus has done the biggest part for us by dying on the cross and breaking the physical addiction to sin. What is left behind is the habit of sin. It is easier to get rid of some habits than others. Or as I put it before, "Some bags of trash are lighter than others." They all have to be taken out because, like trash, if we close our eyes to it, the bigger the bag and the longer it sits there, the more it stinks and pretty soon everyone will be complaining about it.
Taking out some of these bags of trash is like trying to unlearn to ride a bike, it's almost impossible once you've learned how. It's a good thing that God makes the impossible, possible.
I like to picture myself as a child, putting my whole heart into picking up a heavy bag of trash and trying to drag it to the curb. Now I picture God, our loving father, watching us make this effort. With prayer, work and faith, I can picture Gods strong hand, reaching down, lifting the bag from our life and replacing it with the miracle of change. God has already done the hardest part through Jesus, now it's our turn. Let's pray and ask God what needs to be taken out. Let's listen and make a heart felt decision to get rid of the trash. And let's thank God for being there to help us.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Men From Galilee
On the day they were all together
Suddenly from Heaven came a wind
It filled the house that they were in
And there were tongues of fire
Come to rest on everyone
The mystery had begun
God was praised in every language
From men who lived in Galalee
Drunk with wine they couldn't be
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit
And they began to speak as they were led
And the crowd was in amazement
Because of what the Holy Spirit said
Those who beliecved in His message
Through the water and the blood
Three thousand added on that day
I can almost hear them pray
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit
And they began to speak as they were led
And the crowd was in amazement
Because of what the Holy Spirit said
Suddenly from Heaven came a wind
It filled the house that they were in
And there were tongues of fire
Come to rest on everyone
The mystery had begun
God was praised in every language
From men who lived in Galalee
Drunk with wine they couldn't be
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit
And they began to speak as they were led
And the crowd was in amazement
Because of what the Holy Spirit said
Those who beliecved in His message
Through the water and the blood
Three thousand added on that day
I can almost hear them pray
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit
And they began to speak as they were led
And the crowd was in amazement
Because of what the Holy Spirit said
He Walked Away
Romans 3: 23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sin is wicked and in 1 corinthians 6: 9 the Bible says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God."
In Matthew 19: 16, a rich young man came to Jesus and asked how to receive eternal life. Jesus told him to follow the ten commandments. The rich young man said that he did that, and asked what else he had to do to receive eternal life. Jesus said, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come follow me." The man walked away sad because he had great wealth.
Jesus didn't send the rich man away or say that he couldn't come with Him, the man walked away.
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in Genesis 22. Abraham bound Isaac and put him on an altar, he was ready and willing to do what God told him to do. He completely trusted God. Abraham knew that what ever happened, it was going to be the best thing. An angel of God stopped Abraham at the last second and God provided a ram for the scrifice, instead.
have you ever shut your eyes and let yourself fall back into someone's arms? It is a hard thing to do. You really have to trust the person that will be catching you. God wanted Abraham to do just that, and he did. Jesus wanted the rich man to do just that, but the rich man, walked away. he wasn't sent away, he made up his own mind, he made his choice and that choice was for his money.
Romans 2: 9 says, "God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those by who persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But to those who are self seeking and reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." Abraham had faith in God and because of his faith he did not walk away when God told him what to do, so he did not sin. The rich young man could have followed Jesus, but instead chose his money and in doing so, he sinned
Sin is addictive and given a choice, some will pick sin. Money isn't evil, but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The choice you have to make is, you can obey the Lord, trust Him, believe Him, put Him first in your life, and receive eternal life, or you can choose your sin, what ever that may be, and walk away.
Jesus told the rich young man to get rid of his sin; love for money, then to follow Him. so just laying down our sin isn't enough, we also have to have the faith to follow Jesus or, take him as your Lord. Romans 10: 9, says, "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved."
It is simple; listen to God, lay down your sin, take Jesus as Lord and be saved.
In Matthew 19: 16, a rich young man came to Jesus and asked how to receive eternal life. Jesus told him to follow the ten commandments. The rich young man said that he did that, and asked what else he had to do to receive eternal life. Jesus said, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come follow me." The man walked away sad because he had great wealth.
Jesus didn't send the rich man away or say that he couldn't come with Him, the man walked away.
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in Genesis 22. Abraham bound Isaac and put him on an altar, he was ready and willing to do what God told him to do. He completely trusted God. Abraham knew that what ever happened, it was going to be the best thing. An angel of God stopped Abraham at the last second and God provided a ram for the scrifice, instead.
have you ever shut your eyes and let yourself fall back into someone's arms? It is a hard thing to do. You really have to trust the person that will be catching you. God wanted Abraham to do just that, and he did. Jesus wanted the rich man to do just that, but the rich man, walked away. he wasn't sent away, he made up his own mind, he made his choice and that choice was for his money.
Romans 2: 9 says, "God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those by who persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But to those who are self seeking and reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." Abraham had faith in God and because of his faith he did not walk away when God told him what to do, so he did not sin. The rich young man could have followed Jesus, but instead chose his money and in doing so, he sinned
Sin is addictive and given a choice, some will pick sin. Money isn't evil, but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The choice you have to make is, you can obey the Lord, trust Him, believe Him, put Him first in your life, and receive eternal life, or you can choose your sin, what ever that may be, and walk away.
Jesus told the rich young man to get rid of his sin; love for money, then to follow Him. so just laying down our sin isn't enough, we also have to have the faith to follow Jesus or, take him as your Lord. Romans 10: 9, says, "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved."
It is simple; listen to God, lay down your sin, take Jesus as Lord and be saved.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Giant
Doing everything right all of the time isn't possible. Being a Christian doesn't mean being perfect. What we have to be is willing to listen to, and do as God tells us, when He tells us to do it.
Our finances were bad. Rent was over due and we didn't have any of it. We had bills that we weren't able to pay. My three kids and Mark's son, were all coming over for the next six days. We were painting signs at the time, but there was no work in sight. Mark was tired all of the time and he was having terrible headaches, that was the first giant in the land.
Elijah was a baby, and he had just gotten over a cold. My Mom and Dad would babysit when we had work, so while babysitting, my Mom caught a cold from Elijah. Because of her age and because she had contracted Mono in the past and it hurt her immune system, she asked me not to bring Elijah over any more when he is sick. That was the second giant in the land.
Mark's daughter, Melody, called and asked to stay with us for the weekend because she had just moved into a new place and they didn't have any gas for heat. That wouldn't have been bad but she said that her kids were also sick and I was afraid Elijah would get sick again and then we wouldn't be able to leave him with my parents if we did get some work. That was giant number three.
We were up against a lot, just like the Israelites were up against a lot when they were in the desert, before they were to enter the land of milk and honey.
God brought the Israelities out of Egypt, He led them through the desert with fire at night and clouds during the day. He gave them everything that they needed. God led them right up to the land that He was to give them. God gave the land of milk and honey to the israelities , but the Israelities grumbled against God, saying, "The Lord hates us; so He brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart they say, 'The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are larger with walls up to the sky. We even saw Anakites there." The Anakites were compaired to giants or Nephilim. The Amorites were a very wicked people and their cities were fortified. The Israelities were very afraid of these people.
God said that He would carry the Israelities as a father carries a son but they were still afraid, they did not trust God. So, God said that only the children and a few others would make it into the land. The Israelities then decided that they were going to fight their way in, God told them not to try, God knew they would not succeed, but they did it anyway, and without God's help, the people failed.
God has promised me many things in the Bible. But all I see are giants. Not enough money for my bills, or food for my kids. Sickness and threats of sickness. If I want the promised land then I'm really going to have to trust God and that doesn't mean giving up, ot complaining! God also showed the Israelities that they have to do things His way or they will not succeed. I need to trust God, but I also need to do things when He wants them done. Then and only then can I enter and face those giants.
Our finances were bad. Rent was over due and we didn't have any of it. We had bills that we weren't able to pay. My three kids and Mark's son, were all coming over for the next six days. We were painting signs at the time, but there was no work in sight. Mark was tired all of the time and he was having terrible headaches, that was the first giant in the land.
Elijah was a baby, and he had just gotten over a cold. My Mom and Dad would babysit when we had work, so while babysitting, my Mom caught a cold from Elijah. Because of her age and because she had contracted Mono in the past and it hurt her immune system, she asked me not to bring Elijah over any more when he is sick. That was the second giant in the land.
Mark's daughter, Melody, called and asked to stay with us for the weekend because she had just moved into a new place and they didn't have any gas for heat. That wouldn't have been bad but she said that her kids were also sick and I was afraid Elijah would get sick again and then we wouldn't be able to leave him with my parents if we did get some work. That was giant number three.
We were up against a lot, just like the Israelites were up against a lot when they were in the desert, before they were to enter the land of milk and honey.
God brought the Israelities out of Egypt, He led them through the desert with fire at night and clouds during the day. He gave them everything that they needed. God led them right up to the land that He was to give them. God gave the land of milk and honey to the israelities , but the Israelities grumbled against God, saying, "The Lord hates us; so He brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart they say, 'The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are larger with walls up to the sky. We even saw Anakites there." The Anakites were compaired to giants or Nephilim. The Amorites were a very wicked people and their cities were fortified. The Israelities were very afraid of these people.
God said that He would carry the Israelities as a father carries a son but they were still afraid, they did not trust God. So, God said that only the children and a few others would make it into the land. The Israelities then decided that they were going to fight their way in, God told them not to try, God knew they would not succeed, but they did it anyway, and without God's help, the people failed.
God has promised me many things in the Bible. But all I see are giants. Not enough money for my bills, or food for my kids. Sickness and threats of sickness. If I want the promised land then I'm really going to have to trust God and that doesn't mean giving up, ot complaining! God also showed the Israelities that they have to do things His way or they will not succeed. I need to trust God, but I also need to do things when He wants them done. Then and only then can I enter and face those giants.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Through The Years
I met me husband, Mark in February of 1989. I had been married for ten years before that, and I had three kids, Christina, Joe and Elizabeth. Mark had two kids, Melody and Nick. Nick was just a baby when I met Mark, Elizabeth was five, Joe was seven and Christina was nine. Mark and I got very close, very fast. We met in February and moved into our first apartment together, in June. We had a turbulent first year, then I gave my life to Jesus and Mark re-committed.
1990-1994, Mark and I had a sign business. We had quite a bit of work but we still struggled financially. We had our kids every weekend and every other week in the summer. We all attended a church in Downey. Mark and I were very involved in that Church. Mark played on the worship team and I had a prayer line. We were both on the board.
1994, I gave birth to Elijah. During that year, mark suffered with bad headaches and leg swelling. He was tired all of the time. Our sign business started to do very well, we just had a hard time getting all the work done, between mark being sick and the new baby.
In November of 1994, I found out that I was pregnant, again, and within a week, Mark found out that he had hepatitis, C. He also had very high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He began taking a large amount of medications for his health problems.
1995, Michael was born. We had to quit the sign business because Mark was to sick to do it anymore. We both got on SSI.
All my life I have suffered with depression and anxiety, and in 1999, I started taking medication for it. I tried many different kinds and finally got on something that helped, somewhat.
2000, we moved from Anaheim to Buena Park, where we now live. Elizabeth moved in with us full time. The boys grew up here and except for kindergarten, they both went to school in Buena Park. Nick also moved in for a couple of years.
2006, Mark had open heart surgery, and while he was in the hospital, his kidneys failed. He stayed in the hospital for a whole month. When he got out, he started having dialysis, three times a week. After about a year on hemo dialysis, he went on to peritoneal dialysis, and I did this at home for him.
2008, my dad died, after six month of being bed ridden. I was over there two times every day, helping out, it was a hard time for me. Mark was in and out of the hospital a lot, and he got a bad infection in his peritoneal, after having surgety to remove his gallbladder. We took classes and I learned how to do hemo dialysis for Mark, and I did his dialysis for about six months. It was very difficult and I couldn't continue, so he went back into the center for dialysis. He is still going three times a week.
2011, I started the blog. I know I'm not a writer, but I do have stories to tell. Please let me know if you enjoy them. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting and please come back! Connie K Cameron.
1990-1994, Mark and I had a sign business. We had quite a bit of work but we still struggled financially. We had our kids every weekend and every other week in the summer. We all attended a church in Downey. Mark and I were very involved in that Church. Mark played on the worship team and I had a prayer line. We were both on the board.
1994, I gave birth to Elijah. During that year, mark suffered with bad headaches and leg swelling. He was tired all of the time. Our sign business started to do very well, we just had a hard time getting all the work done, between mark being sick and the new baby.
In November of 1994, I found out that I was pregnant, again, and within a week, Mark found out that he had hepatitis, C. He also had very high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He began taking a large amount of medications for his health problems.
1995, Michael was born. We had to quit the sign business because Mark was to sick to do it anymore. We both got on SSI.
All my life I have suffered with depression and anxiety, and in 1999, I started taking medication for it. I tried many different kinds and finally got on something that helped, somewhat.
2000, we moved from Anaheim to Buena Park, where we now live. Elizabeth moved in with us full time. The boys grew up here and except for kindergarten, they both went to school in Buena Park. Nick also moved in for a couple of years.
2006, Mark had open heart surgery, and while he was in the hospital, his kidneys failed. He stayed in the hospital for a whole month. When he got out, he started having dialysis, three times a week. After about a year on hemo dialysis, he went on to peritoneal dialysis, and I did this at home for him.
2008, my dad died, after six month of being bed ridden. I was over there two times every day, helping out, it was a hard time for me. Mark was in and out of the hospital a lot, and he got a bad infection in his peritoneal, after having surgety to remove his gallbladder. We took classes and I learned how to do hemo dialysis for Mark, and I did his dialysis for about six months. It was very difficult and I couldn't continue, so he went back into the center for dialysis. He is still going three times a week.
2011, I started the blog. I know I'm not a writer, but I do have stories to tell. Please let me know if you enjoy them. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting and please come back! Connie K Cameron.
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