Could this be your problem?

Matthew 16:24-25 (King James Version)
24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Many people read this passage of scripture and think, I was born with a physical handicap so that is my cross. Or, I am not attractive, too tall or short, etc. But that is not it at all. Jesus is emphasizing denying yourself. Most people don't want to deny themselves anything. For one thing they have the wrong view of what is enough. Anything you do in excess, whethet it be eating, shopping, working, talking, sleeping, etc. There are many normal everyday things that turns into sin when you get excessive about them.
1. Excessive eating = Gluttony
2. Excessive shopping = Greed
3. Excessive sleeping=laziness
4. Excessive talking=Gossiping
5. Excessive working=Dependant on self not God
There are always consequences to sin. Gluttony will bring about health problems. Greed will bring debt. Staying in bed will keep you from your morning quiet time with the Lord. Many people hit the snooze button on the alarm clock and get up rushing because they don't want to be late. This causes stress. The old adage, silence is golden, the Bible says a talebearer breaks up friendships. Workaholics are not depending on God. They think they have to do extra to meet their needs. There again, they have the wrong view of what is enough.
All sins of excess have their roots in fear. Fear of not having enough, whether it be food, money, rest, or even attention. Gossips are extremely insecure people and talking is their way to get attention.
I wonder what would happen if:
1. The glutton ate right and exercised in order to take care of God's temple?
2. The person deep in debt paid off their debts and quit accumilating "stuff" so they could be a giver.
3. The lazy person got out of bed 30 minutes earlier and spent that time alone with God.
4. The gossiper, used their mouth only to bless and not to curse.
5. The workaholic would spend 40 hrs a week instead of 60 or 80 at his/her job so they could spend the remaining time with their family and Jesus.
I think the problem is that people tend to underestimate the verses that doesn't fit their lifestyle.
You may be guilty of one or more of these sins and are wondering, how do I get set free? Your freedom comes from what Christ did on the Cross. The majority of people look to Christ and the Cross for their salvation and leave it at that. But through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit you can be set free. Many people look to works, or their own self effort and that will never free you. Jesus said, it is the truth that sets us free. Are you willing to face the truth that what you are doing is sin? You won't know freedom until you do. Are you willing to change your focus? Get it off yourself and get it on Christ and His finished work. The Apostle Paul struggled for many years before he found freedom. Read Romans 6,7 & 8. If it was a struggle for him, know it will also be a struggle for you. Don't give up, and don't think you can reach a point of sinless perfection, you can't.
Recommended reading: http://www.enduringword.com/ Read David Guzik's commentary on Romans 6, 7 & 8. Click on "commentaries" on the left side of the screen. Another good thing to read is "The Vine and the Branches" by David Tryon. It is found @ http://www.ntmu.net/ Click on pressing issues on the left side of the screen. This book will set you free.

God's Suddenlies...

I posted this on my other blog site, www.2getblessed.blogspot.com back in February and I don't know why, but felt led to post it here this evening. Hopefully it will bless someone.

Read Exodus 3:1-5, John 4:1-30, Acts 3:1-8
Three familiar old stories, Moses and the burning bush, the woman at the well, and the blind man at the gate called beautiful. Familiar scripture with powerful truths hidden in them that we miss because we tend to read through them so fast because they are familiar.Was Moses thinking on that day, take my father-in-laws flock to the back side of the desert, again. Perhaps the woman at the well was thinking, get my waterpot, go to the well, draw water, same old, same old. Maybe the blind man was thinking, hope I can beg enough to get some bread today, nothing ever changes. Our lives are not much different today. We do the same mundane things day after day. We get in a routine and tend to think, same old, same old, nothing ever changes. What these three didn't know, on those particular days, it wasn't going to be the same old dull day. Suddenly and unexpectedly, as they were going through their same old routine, the Lord shows up and their whole lives were changed.That's what makes Jesus so exciting. You never know when, where, or how Jesus will show up and your whole life be changed. Today may be that day for you as you are going about your same old dull routine. Today just may be the day you get that long awaited answer to prayer or some other unexpected blessing.

Blessings in Christ by John Woodward

Blessings in Christ

"Blessings in Christ"
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30).
The preceding verses in this context strike the familiar chord of God choosing the "weak and foolish things" to put to shame the values of this fallen world (1 Cor. 1:23-29).
"Of Him you are in Christ Jesus" indicates that salvation is a work of God's grace from beginning to end (Eph. 2:4-10). We owe everything to our Savior's loving kindness!
Through the new birth, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies! (Eph. 1:3) These blessings are due to our being transferred out of Adam's fallen line and into Christ's spiritual line (Col. 1:13,14; Rom. 5:15ff). As true believers we are "in Christ"!
Consider four blessings in Christ.
1. In Christ, we have WISDOM. Instead of the twisted wisdom of this age, we have God's true eternal perspective. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). Draw upon Christ for the wisdom you need!
2. In Christ, we have RIGHTEOUSNESS. Although our own efforts at righteousness are soiled (Isaiah 64:6), in Christ we are clothed with the very righteousness of God. This standing of justification is by grace through faith (Phil 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:21). Rejoice that you are clothed with a pure garment before a holy God![1]
3. In Christ, we have SANCTIFICATION. We are set apart for God the moment of our conversion. Hebrews 10:10 states "By that will [God's will] we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." That is why we are called saints! (1 Cor. 1:2). Yet we are called to continually progress in our experience of holiness. That is why the writer of Hebrews goes on to mention, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb. 10:14). Do you find this challenge beyond your ability? Welcome to the club! Look to Christ for His life to be expressed through you. He is your sanctification!
4. In Christ, we have REDEMPTION. As believers we have been bought with a price--the precious blood of Jesus 91 Pet. 1:18,19). Although we deserve nothing in Adam's line, Christ's atonement declares us supremely valuable in the eyes of God. That is what counts! Through redemption we are set free from sin's penalty and power. (Rom. 6:11, 23). Reckon this true in your life, because it is true!
Made free! Made free in Jesus; Deep planted in His death, He liberates His life power, And breathes His Spirit's breath, Then, waxing strong in Spirit, With force of quickening life, The soul and body governed, Its members cease from strife.
Made free! Made free in Jesus; Joined to the Risen One, By conflict prayer you triumph, And claim the victory won. Freed with His glorious freedom, Above the darkness rife; For now the law of sin and death Is conquered by His life." [2]
"Our Savior, how can we thank You enough for the infinite blessings we have through true faith in Christ? Help us to treasure Your gifts to us--wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. In Christ we live and pray, amen."
~~~~
[1] Additionally, God's work of regeneration in the believer makes him righteous in his spirit as "the new man" (Col. 3:10). Cf. "Made Right to Live Right: A Study of Justification" @ GraceNotebook.com
[2] M.M. Quoted by Jessie Penn-Lewis in Soul and Spirit, (CLC).
For a more in-depth study of these four blessings, see Grace Notes: "Christ, Our Wisdom,""Christ, Our Righteousness," "Christ, Our Sanctification," and "Christ, Our Redemption."

Have a kleenex handy when you read this...

A little something to put things in perspective...After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park , forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast ..because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

'He will cover you with His feathers,And under His wings you will find refuge.'(Psalm 91:4)

My Lord, I did not choose you...

My Lord, I did not choose you,
for that could never be;
my heart would still refuse you,
had you not chosen me.

You took the sin that stained me,
you cleansed me, made me new;
of old you have ordained me,
that I should live in you.

Unless your grace had called me,
and taught my opening mind,
the world would have enthralled me,
tho heavenly glories blind.

My heart knows none above you;
for your rich grace I thirst.
I know that if I love you,
you must have loved me first.

-Jo­si­ah Con­der, 1836

One of the first things which a physician says to his patient is ,"let me see your tongue." A spiritual advisor might ask the same thing. -N. Adams

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Proverbs 10:19