Will God Give us our Way?

Will God ever just let individuals have their way? What does it mean when we say, “God gave them over?”

Scripture:

Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

Lesson:

First, God loves us and He provided the Word as a standard with which we are to live our lives. Christ is the standard and not the world. He gave us this standard because it would help us live our lives with less problems not so he could punish us when we break them. If we are to please God and live a less complicated life we will choose wisdom from God as communicated in the New Testament. We must always seek answers to the hard questions by asking God’s intent and design for mankind in the situation and circumstances we face.

However, if we persistently choose to go our own rebellious way then God will give us up to our own way. When people turn from God’s truth they turn to their own understanding, their own desires, their own principles. They turn away from the foundational truths that would keep them from getting into trouble.  Paul tells us that when God allowed man to go their way they chose a lifestyle that is the opposite of God’s standard: sexual impurity, shameful lust and deprived mind.

Peter’s instructions to those living among the immoral and corrupt was, "...as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ’Be holy, for I am holy.’" I Peter 2:14-16.

Paul says to us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2.

Application:

1.   What warning does Paul give us for seeking Him rather than our own ways?

2.   What attitude should we have concerning those who have turned from God’s ways?

3.   How holy are you in your walk or have you conformed to the world?

4.   What instruction does Paul give us as we live among the corrupt world?

Prayer:

Dear Father, I want to be obedient to you. Renew my mind that I may be good, acceptable and perfect in your will. Help me to be holy in my conduct and not to conform to the world’s way. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Can I Just Slow it Down?

Life is like a theme park ride. I once rode a theme park ride with my son. We got on and immediately he bagan turning the wheel in the center of the ride. Needless to say the ride was going so fast and I was getting sicker and sicker. I crouched in the corner of the ride with my head almost in the seat, just praying the thing would stop before I showered everyone around me with what I will call, "After Lunch Smoothie." When the ride finally stopped, Joey had to literally help me off the ride and I walked around the rest of the day, with my head on my his shoulder. No, not to satisfy the romance in my life, it was to keep me from "throwing up" all over the place. I have never been so sick.
Interesting isn't it. No one made me ride the ride. I could have yelled and screamed, "Let me off this thing." But I didn't did I? Why? (Didn't want to make a scene, Didn't want to embarrass Matthew and Joey, Didn't want to embarrass myself, Didn't want to admit that I was not the "cool" mom that I so wanted to be. So, I faced the consequences. Boy, did I?
We all make choices everyday don't we? Our lives get so powerpacked. While we may not be ready to throw up, our bodies suffer greatly,(ulcers,high blood pressure, heart problems, etc). All of a sudden our baby is getting married and we missed its childhood. You wanted to spend quality time with your parents, but now they are passed that. 

Joey and I just spent some time in Berlin, Ohio. I watched the Amish and Mennonite's as they went about life. They have the same decisions to make everyday that we do about life, they just make a different choice. We say that is their belief... Actually they believe in the same God that we do. We pray, worship, praise, study, the same way. The different thing that I notice is that they were intentional as to how they would live their lives. Again, they intentionally make the choice to refuse to get wrapped up in the things of this world that hinder us from focusing on their relationship with God and spending time with their family.

Just that simple, make some choices to slow down.We intentionally choose things that we know will bog us down, rob us of time with our families and with God. When will we decide to make choices that allow us to enjoy life. 

How do you cope with the hustle and bustle of life. Are you able to slow down. How do you find the time to balance the fast and slow?

What's Age Got to do With It? by Robin Mcgraw

I just received another book from Thomas Nelson for review. When I saw a beautiful woman on the cover with the question, "What's AGE Got to Do With It?" I thought, "Yeah, you can say that, you're still in your prime." Then I noticed her sitting on the number 55. My eyes widened and my ears perked up. I was ready to listen to what this lady had to say.

It is so refreshing when you meet a person that is right where you are. So many women my age let their bodies go long time ago. I know that a lot of water has passed under the bridge, and no I have not been 118 pounds and cannot fit into the dress I wore when I dated my husband, but I feel the best in my skin than I have ever felt. Having retired from 30 years teaching I am now able to actually read the things I want to read, sit as long in my PJ's and sip my coffee, time and energy to work out at YMCA, clean my own house, and do some of the things I want to do. There are times I actually feel guilty when I take time to do things for myself.

Robin McGraw does not suggest being happy and healthy as an effortless lifestyle. What she does say is that a woman has a choice. Her attitude and choices about health, fitness, spirituality, appearance has everything to do with growing gracefully. I haven't finished the book but am ready to hear from her and the team of professional who have helped her.

Go look in the mirror. If your husband were looking for a date, would he ask you out. Have you let yourself go over the years. It's not too late. Get up, go and purchase, What's Age Got To Do With It? Let Robin help you put that young girl back in your life. And by the way. You men out there...Don't forget to respond as you see the changes.

Share some of your own secrets or tips that you have found helpful in staying young.