Bible Challenge (Galatians 6:8)

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." - Galatians 6:8

Every so often I realize that I have been displaying anger, impatience, lying, or other sinful traits a lot more than usual. If I stop and evaluate what I've been spending the majority of my time doing, I find I have been spending more time watching movies, reading books, etc. than reading God's Word. According to this verse, if I feed my sinful, fleshly self, that is what will start to show in my life. On the flip side, when I am diligent in reading and studying God's Word, my whole attitude shows the results! (And my family is thankful!) :-D

Bible Challenge (2 Corinthians 5:4)

"For we that are in this tabernacle to groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." - 2 Corinthians 5:4

It is interesting to note that never in God's Word does He say He will remove our sinful nature. Instead, He tells us how to put on the righteousness of Christ and encourages and equips us to be transformed to His image. He tenderly takes the clay we are made of and uses THAT clay, molding and transforming it to be a vessel for His glory! How thankful I am that God covers my sinfulness with His righteousness, my mortality with immortality, and my flesh with His blood!

Bible Challenge (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." 

- 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Interesting how many times we as children of God forget that He not only saves us, but calls us to live a life of holiness.

Bible Challenge (Psalm 37:24)

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." - Psalm 37:24

What precious comfort to know that no matter how many times I fall, be it in faith, obedience or temptations, the Lord is ALWAYS ready and willing to pick me up from where I am.

Bible Challenge (Proverbs 28:13)

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

 - Proverbs 28:13

I had to stop for a second when I read this. I'm not sure how I interpreted this before, but today it struck me in a whole new light. 

Many times when God brings me to the point of surrender and getting serious in pursuing my relationship with Him, things will come to mind that I probably should go to others and apologize for. So often I push it aside with the "I'll just do better from now on: excuse. While God is pleased with my turning back to Him, my relationship with Him will not truly prosper until I confess those sins and then be able to fully leave them behind. 

Am I hindering my walk with God by not confessing and forsaking any sins in my life?

Bible Challenge (Romans 8:26-27)

I just finished reading my Romans passage and when I came across these verses I couldn't help but feel relieved!

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."     -Romans 8:26-27

What a comfort to know that I'm not the only one trying to make sense of me in prayer! I'm sure He does a much better job than I do! Just imagine God listening to our stuttering bumbles, then turning to the Holy Spirit raising His eyebrows and saying, "interpretation?"

Okay so maybe not, but it was a fun thought!

Bible Challenge (Philippians 3:13-14)

"Bretheren, I count not myself to have apprehended: But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

 -Philippians 3:13-14

Praise God for His mercies that are new every day! Through Christ's strength I can leave the struggles and trials of yesterday behind, rest in His love and walk in His grace today, and reach forward to the victories and growth in His righteousness in the tomorrows ahead. Glory be to my Savior and Guide!



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!