Why is the struggle against sin so hard?

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:14-25

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This is what I've been studying lately. Sometimes it seems so impossible to fight sin, but we have to look to verse 25...I was reading Boice's commentary and it talks about how our hope for victory must be in Christ not in ourself. Even Peter who had so much determination and will could not fight temptation, apart from Christ. He tried so hard on his own, yet he still denied Christ. We have been saved from sin (sin's penalty) We are being saved from sin (sin's power) and We will be saved from sin (sin's presence) Who will deliver me from this body of death? Jesus Christ our Lord! Doesn't it so make you look foward to that day?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

ummm...

Things are crazy, but God is gracious. This is all I have time to write, but I am still alive just absent from the blogging world at present. And I have to say...Get a hold of John MacAthur's sermon from this morning...yeah...wow. good stuff.

Goodbye Summer

A big part of my summer--I probably spent a majority of my time with them this summer.

I love them, but don't be decieved by their cute looks...

As often as I thought that summer would never end and seemed forever, it finally is coming to a close and as I look back I can't believe tomorrow is my last day in Washington. It reminds me of James...our lives are just a vapor that appear for a little while and then vanish away. It went by so quickly. Monday was my last day babysitting, I already had my last day at daycare, and tomorrow is my last day at the athletic club. (I hope to never have a job that requires me to get up at 4:30am ever again) Then Thursday morning I'll leave at 4am and make the 18 hour drive. I am so excited to see my friends again (especially Carley and Stephanie!!!) and excited for SLS, WOW week, and the upcoming year!!!

This summer brought many challenges. It was hard, sometimes I thought too hard, but the Lord was faithful and taught me through it. I know the Lord has a purpose in many of the circumstances that occured and every event that happpened during my summer even when it seemed to make no sense and I couldn't understand what He was doing or why. I could write and write about my summer and what I learned, but it would take forever and for those few readers of my blog...well, I'd rather just tell you in person.

May the Lord alone be glorified by my life as summer ends and I start a new season of my life!

I WILL PRAISE HIM, STILL

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When the morning falls on the farthest hill

I will sing His name,

I will praise Him, still.

When dark trials come and my heart is filled

with the weight of doubt,

I will praise Him, still.

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For the Lord, our God,

He is strong to save

from the arms of death,

from the deepest grave

and He gave us life in His perfect will,

and by His good grace

I will praise Him, still.

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Fernando Oretega

Habakkuk 3:19

. . . . . .

The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Everything WITHOUT Grumbling

I just posted yesterday, but I was made aware of something this morning and I thought I would share it... . Well, I have to admit I have had a really hard week. I have been doing a couple opening shifts per week at the Athletic club, meaning I have to be there at 5:15. Well, the person who did the other days quit so that means I am doing every opening shift except for one up until the day before I leave. I have also been babysitting a ton and working at daycare. I have been tired, but chugging a long and doing okay. However, this week it just seemed to hit me. I have been feeling so exhausted and worn out. Tuesday after opening I babysat all day and the girls decided to be extra bad that day-tantrums, screaming, the whole bit. My patience level was pretty low. The rest of the week hasn't been any easier. I haven't been feeling well and been dealing with a lot of things. Well, let's just say I haven't really been rejoicing in all of this. This morning I was sitting and thinking about how I wish I wasn't at work because I am so tired and how I dread the next 2 weeks, wishing I didn't need to save money so I could quit, I should be able to enjoy my last 2 weeks at home, etc. ...Well, time was going by slow--6am and not a whole lot going on so I decided to read a little of War of Words. Guess what I read? "When we complain about problems and pressures in our lives, we are essentially grumbling in the face of God. We are complaining that we have been chosen by His love and grace, and that He is putting us in situations designed to make us His holy people." Hmm...Some may call that a coincidence, but I call that GOD. I had to confess to God that although it has been hard and I am drained, my attitude hasn't been glorifying to Him. My circumstances won't change in the next 2 weeks, but how I deal with them will. I know it will still be a struggle for me to keep being diligent and to do everything without grumbling and complaining (I could use prayers =) ) The book continues: . "These relationships and circumstances, these problems and trials, and these times of grief and suffering come from His hand. They are tokens of God's wonderful grace, given to deliver us from the power of remaining sin! Behind circumstances is a God of love who is relentlessly at work to make us holy...In my anger and frustration, I am not just fighting people and situations, but God. What comes out of your mouth in times of trouble? What does your heart think and your mouth say when your plan is obstructed or simply falls flat? How do you respond when people fail you or don't do their part? What do you say in moments of frustrations and disappointemnt? How do you respond when you face the totally unexpected? How do you act towards those who seem to stand in the way of your schedule and plans? How do you respond when your brightest ideas and best efforts fall apart? How do you react to trials that don't seem to be your fault? Do your words acknowledge the sovereign plan of God over all your circumstances for your sanctification?" . .... Well, my break is over and I have to go work daycare and then go and babysit, BUT Rejoicing always and in everything giving thanks.