My knowledge and faith continue to grow. I work hard every day just as I always have but now I do take time for scripture. I take time to hear other’s experiences through video and books. And I lean on this faith in everything I do now. My new challenge is a challenge I have taken a few times before but this time it is different. I have decided to give up smoking once again which as always includes giving up caffeine at the same time (because without the nasty smokes the coke tastes nasty.)
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Corinthians10:13
I am using a patch as I have tried in the past but in the past I had no issue smoking at the same time. But this time I am relying on God’s promise as noted in the verse above. Everytime the craving starts to poke me hard I ask Him again to help me defeat this and quite literally the desire diminishes. I know the enemy does not want me to quit. I know the enemy does not want my faith to succeed. And I cannot deny that the enemy is strong in his effort but the enemy will see my faith in Jesus Christ will prevail.
I truly believe now that when we recognize our creator as not some religious story or tradition but as the supernatural that exists beyond our comprehension we come to recognize the strengths he provides us if we just ask. I cannot emphasize enough to people to lose the thought process that the old book on your shelf called the bible is not some old book full of stories. They are God inspired testimonies and instructions by real people that walked this earth before us. And they explain the path to salvation and what is to come.
Salvation was God’s idea, and He will never withhold it from someone who diligently seeks Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Luke 19:10; John 6:37). But He will also not force anyone whom rejects it but that rejection means He too will not know you when the time has come.
My testimony is uneventful and without glitz but it is one of relief and excitement. The troubles of my life are still an annoyance and concern but I realize how little they affect the bigger picture. One day my soul will step outside my frail body and I will be in the presence of a loving creator amongst family and friends. Can you imagine? Pain and sorrow gone, darkness gone, greed and lust gone. I can do more than imagine! I know it to be true because I am seeking, asking and knocking!
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Lord God thank you for your abundance of love and strength. Thank you for having my back to defeat my addictions and desires that are contrary to your purpose for me. Thank you for helping me break these chains. I pray that I may be an example of spiritual reform. I pray that my friends and family reading this may recognize the desires of knowledge and understanding within themselves and will also seek, ask and knock. I pray for a day of peace, accomplishment and contentment. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen
