Confession Number TWO

Galatians 5 is full of good but convicting verses.  5:22 tells us the fruits of the Spirit.( what a saved by grace Christian should look like). We should be loving , joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. Okay I am none of these. I think about how I am with my children. I am a stay at home mom of 2 boys (18 months apart) and one of those has had a few more special needs than the other.I frequently get frustrated. I am loving towards them most of the time. I am joyful some of the time. I want to create a peaceful home for Chris and the boys but that fails the minute I get frustrated. I am not kind until Ive had my morning coffee. I am never patient it seems. Im only gentle and self-controlled until once again Isaac pulls those hearing aids out or they start fighting with one another while Im on Facebook. I read a friends (Traci) blog about this the other day and it stuck with me. Then I read Galatians 5:16. It says to walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Notice it doesnt say "desires". Its not plural. I wondered why its only one desire. Then I thought about myself. Anytime Im not walking by the Spirit is when Im being selfish. Wanting to do what I want to do. Spend my time how I want to spend my time. A light bulb went off. I have read this many times but connecting these 2 verses was really convicting. I dont posses the fruits of the Spirit all of the time because I am not walking by the Spirit all of the time.  So I asked myself "How can I walk by the Spirit all day everyday?" I have to stay in constant prayer and constant study of HIS word. As a mom I cant sit and read the BIBLE all day. But I can memorize verses to carry with me throughout the day. On my refrigerator I have the verse "serve the Lord with gladness".  So that when i finally get sit down for the afternoon and Ezra ask me for something to eat (10 minutes after lunch) I will go to the fridge and see that verse. It reminds me that whatever I do, do out of obedience to GOD. I definitely need to memorize more verses to help me walk by the Spirit. I have got to let the Holy Spirit take control. Thats the only way I will ever be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good,faithful , gentle and self-controlled.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit! (Gal. 5:25)

Confession Number ONE

"No solider in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a solider."  This may not be a famous quote to most of us but it is a great statement that Paul made in 2 Timothy 2:4. I have never noticed it before. It really applies to my life right now. I keep thinking how I need to take a step back from some "affairs of everyday life." Facebook takes up time that could be spent reading to my boys. Morning news takes up time that could be spent in my quiet time with GOD.  We as Christians are soldiers right? Soldiers trying to make a difference in the kingdom of GOD. Soldiers that are living in a place thats not our home. Sound familiar?. Our American soldiers live in a foreign place trying to make a difference in a country thats not their home. If our American soldiers spent their time watching television and staying on Facebook they wouldnt be very effective. Neither am I in my Christian walk if thats how I spend my time. How can I be effective? I need to dig into GODs word and study to find out more of who HE is. I need to have quiet time with HIM at some point in my busy day. And pray all day during my busy day. I want to please the ONE who enlisted me as HIS solider. And I cant please HIM if I dont spend time with HIM and reach out to those who need HIM.