Today I was on my way to Romans 8 when these words--underlined at some earlier time in red and blue--caught my eye:
"Nothing good dwells in me." (Romans 7:18 NASB)
I read again.
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me."
Yes, as I review my life--even just the past week--I have plenty of empirical evidence. I know that nothing good dwells in me.
I am a constant danger to those I love most.
I am a constant danger to the cause of Christ.
I am a constant danger to the cause of orphan care.
I am a constant danger to everyone and everything I hold most dear. What an irony...what I long to protect, I have the power to destroy. "...evil is present in me." (Romans 7:21 NASB)
I need God.
I need God to hold me back.
I need God to hold me back from harming His name.
I need God to hold me back from harming those I love.
I need God to hold me back from harming the opportunity to do good while I yet breath...
I need God.
I need God to slay Self.
I need God to slay Self and replace Me with Christ, author of all that is good.
I need God.
Oh, God, help me...
WOW...you expressed just what my heart has been crying out to God lately! Did you write this for me? It is utterly amazing how He binds us together even through circumstances that are so different. Praying for and with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these words. They speak to me.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love,
Tanya
Thank you, dear friend! Becoming more Christ-like is a lifelong process, but it is clear this work is a high priority for you.
ReplyDeleteMay God's blessings pour down upon you until you are positively drenched,
Becky
Thank you, Tara and Tanya and Becky! You're willingness to be prayer-ers for this sinner means to much to me! You're each dear, precious friends--gifts from God.
ReplyDeleteDenise