9-30-20   THOUGHTS

The last line in my prayer yesterday was
                       “Help us to see your strength and not our weakness.”
Maybe some explanation is needed?  I am to examine my weak self aren’t I?  Humility, self denial, and crucifixion are all part of the idea that a man should know his own weakness and repent of it?
1Cor 11:31-32     But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32  But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
In verse 31, I see that we must examine or judge ourselves (of course God’s WORD is our measuring stick),  but examine, repent and get on with life!  My prayer statement sits exactly here. We often DWELL ON OUR OWN WEAKNESSES.  We seem to need a pity party?  When this happens, WE ARE ABSORBED WITH SELF!  WE MUST BE ABSORBED WITH GOD!  We must think up and not down!  
So “yes” we must know our own weakness.  We must see our smallness compared to God! And we must deal with our weakness.  Repentance is here.  God is here!  
But remember ... we have an ADVOCATE!  The BLOOD of Jesus keeps on cleansing us from all sin!   The following puts it together for me.
1John 1:-2:2     This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7  but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8  If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;  2  and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Rom 2:4   Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Gal 5:24-25    Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
WE CANNOT BE ABSORBED WITH SELF!   GOD AND JESUS MUST BE OUR FOCUS!      

My Prayer:
Help us Oh God to live our lives thinking about you and Jesus.  We praise you for your goodness toward us.  You have provided all things that pertain unto life and godliness.  Teach us to crucify self and walk in the light, in the spirit.  Help us to know the love of Christ, that we may be filled with all of your fulness.    In Jesus name                  Amen