I went running this morning. Yeah, I know what you are thinking...you? running? Are you sure? Yep! I'm sure! You see, I have this desire to get back into shape, and running, although I'm not a huge fan of it, is how it is going to get done...my "in-shape-ness" that is.
What I have learned in my short journey thus far (no phun intended), is that your mind plays a huge role in running. Yes being physically in shape helps, but having a strong mind that can focus on the goal is what will carry you through when you become physically weak.
For instance, here are a few goals that I keep in my mind while doing long-distance running:
1. I want to lose weight.
2. I want to be healthy.
3. I want to be there for my family.4. I want to lose weight (there is alot to be lost- this is why I added it again!)
So as I run, I keep these goals in mind in order to carry me through. However, what makes this so hard is that while I am trying to stay focused on my goals, the temptation to stop, kicks in and tries to take over my thought process. Here is what this sounds like:
1. You're tired.
2. Your back hurts.
3. You'll never make it.
4. This is hopeless, you'll never stay motivated.
And if I not careful, I will find myself focusing all of my energy on fighting these temptations to stop, instead of fcusing on my goals and outcome hopes! Here is what I mean. My mind naturally focuses on the negatives and the temptations to stop...I have to fight to focus on my goals. However, if all I am doing is trying to empty my mind of my temptations, and not replacing those temptations with my goals, I will fail.
The same is true in our walks with Jesus.
So often, we spend so much time trying to ward of sin in our own strength...we try to empty our hearts and minds of it. We don't want to worship these things, however, once they are fended off, they don't die and they come crawling right back to win our affections. Why? Because our hearts were meant to worship...
What if instead of just trying to fight off sin and temptation, we instead focused on who we are in Christ? What would happen?
We need the Gospel everyday!
What tends to happen is, we try to empty ourselves of our sin and temptation without filling our hearts and minds with Jesus. But here is the key: Sin not only needs to be removed, it needs to be replaced.
You see, sin promises us something...that is how it works. But so does Jesus, and if we don't focus each day on the promises of Jesus...that he died for us, he took our sin, and we are now free!...we will trust sin.
So as we get practical in our "King Me" study of 1 Peter, I want to encourage you this week to try something...
1. Read 1st Peter 1:3-5, 18-21; 2:9-10, 21-24; 3:18 & 4:1
- What promises are we given if we are in Jesus?
2. What changes when you realize that we were meant to worship? That we must be filled with something..something must (and will always) be the object of our worship...do you see how important it is to focus on who you are in Jesus more and more and not just trying to stop sinning?
3. Read 1 Peter 2:1-3
- What is the key to fighting off sin?
- What is the "pure spiritual milk" spoken of here? (God's Word)
- We are to remind ourselved daily of Christ's promises in His Word for those who are in Him!
Think of your week...where are you tempted to trust in the promises of sin and not the promises of Jesus?
- Friendships
- Relationship with Parents
- Money
- Media Choices
- Lust
- Trust
- Usage of Time
*Jot down a time from one of these areas above...what is the situation? What is the promise sin is promising? What does the Gospel promise? Below is an example:
Pride
Sin Promise: I need others to think highly of me for confidence and acceptance.
Gospel Promise: Your confidence comes from knowing who you already are in Jesus through faith...and He is your confidence!
Try this out! Take a situation from this week...Jot down the temptation, the sin promise, and the Gospel promise! Also try and find verses from scripture to support your Gospel promise (this is why 1 Peter 2:1-3 is so important! We need to not only get rid of the sin promise, but we need to REPLACE it with a Gospel promise!)
Remember, we can't do this alone, we need the help and strength from the Holy Spirit! Remember, if you are in Christ, you are a new creation (2nd Cor. 5;17)! Remember that today, and allow this promise to affect every aspect of your daily life!
Join us at 7pm Thursday night at Matt & Amanda's Barn as we take this second week of "King Me" and 1 Peter a bit deeper into our walks with Jesus!
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