Learning

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
        and do not lean on your own understanding.
    In all your ways acknowledge him,
        and he will make straight your paths.
    Be not wise in your own eyes;
        fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
    It will be healing to your flesh
        and refreshment to your bones.
(Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV)

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
        or be weary of his reproof,
    for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
        as a father the son in whom he delights.
(Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV)


So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
(Romans 7:21-25 ESV)


Oh how true these verses have proved in my life! God is so good and yesterday I read Proverbs 3 and Romans 12 in my quiet time. Little did I know he gave those verses to me so that all day I could remind myself not to be wise in my eyes, put others before myself, and to remember God corrects those whom he loves! And trust me, yesterday was not one of my better days, but I look back and see God teaching and revealing to me that prideful thoughts sneak into our minds often without our realization. That's where that strenuous battle of sin comes in! Unfortunately, it seems much easier to give into sin than it does to fight for righteousness and the glory of God. But how badly I want to glorify Him! Jesus, who died for us, is so worthy of every bit of obedience and praise I can give. But, let it be known that every bit of "good" in me is from God, because without him I am a weak vessel capable of nothing. Absolutely nothing.
   
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
        no one does good,
        not even one.”
(Romans 3:12 ESV)

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:56-58 ESV)

I am so thankful that God loves me despite the fact I sin, stumble and a lot of the time just mess things up. He is a merciful, wonderful savior.
~Bugg