Monday, May 11, 2009

Embracing Midstream

Hitting the wall?

Romans 7:15-20 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (16) And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. (17) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. (18) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (19) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. (20) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Positive thinking – is it a myth?

Consider sensuality, indulgence, impurity, and lust for more, more, more.

What wall have you been hitting lately?

Dropping the bad habits?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Many are in a tug-of-war (old habits of self ßà new life in Christ).

What are some modern-day examples of this dilemma?

How would a new, biblical attitude help defeat these old habits?

Rolling with God?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

In your own words, describe “a new creation”

Are you a butterfly living like a caterpillar?

Maybe caterpillar wanting to be a butterfly?

What’s keeping you from sprouting beautiful wings and taking flight?