Weekend Giveaway: Darkness & Light

Do you know who you are?

More importantly, do you know whose you are?

I must admit, even though I first met Jesus in a very real way back in late high school, I haven’t always lived as though all that took place with that life-changing encounter were true.

What I mean is this: sometimes, there is a disconnect between my mind and my actions; between my brain and my body (or most often between my soul and my mouth!)

The good I know I should do….

I don’t always do.

The love I know I should display…

I don’t always display.

The kindness I’m convinced I should show….

Well…it stays hidden.

This disconnect both frustrates and aggravates me.

Until I remember that I am not alone.

Read preacher Paul’s words from Romans 7:18-20 in the Amplified Version of the Bible:

18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]

19For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.

20Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].

Sister….can you relate????

Now I know Christians aren’t perfect. We are just forgiven.

And I know I cannot always make the right choice…. in my own strength.

But for me I know where part of the problem lies.

I forget I am no longer in the dark, but in the light.

“….for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” Ephesians 5:8-9

Walk as children of the light.

Walking is an action. It takes effort on my part.

Good. I need to focus on what is good.

Right. I need to chose to perform that which is right.

True. I need to focus my brain on the things that are true.

For me…that last one is a doosey. You see, I let the enemy whisper all sorts of things to my soul that simply are not true.

You’ll never lose weight.

You are incapable of being a good wife.

Rotten mom. You sure blew it today with your kid.

Christian? Yeah, right. Some Christian you are having those thoughts you did just now.

Just give it up….ya failure!

At those times I have a crucial choice to make. Am I gonna give in to the dark or run to the light?

Am I going to listen to the lies or align my mind with the word of God?

Darkness or light? Its our choice.

Do you ever battle the same thing? (Oh please tell me that you do?!?)

Lets purpose to pray for each other during the heat of the battle for our minds. And, just cause I love you all, here is a little light & dark giveaway to go along with our little chat. It includes:

~ A cozy brown plush throw–for you to snuggle up in as you read the Bible, filling your mind with God’s truth about you.

~ Some dark chocolate Hershey’s kisses.

~ A tube of Dark Kiss Bath & Bodyworks lotion.

~ Three packets of Land O’ Lakes white hot cocoa.

~ Two white votive candles from Bath & Bodyworks–one vanilla coconut & one creamy nutmeg.

~ A candle snuffer from At Home America.

One person who comments this weekend will be chosen at random to win the above package. So please, tell me your thoughts on this topic. (Or if time is tight, just say “I’m in!”)

I’ll be praying for you this weekend. Will you do the same for me?

Into-the-light Blessings,

176 Comments

  1. Agreed…not perfect…just forgiven

    Just like, I’m not brave, I just do it scared!

    The only darkness I wish to reside in…is the darkness of my room at night, and that dark chocolate bath!

    Thanks for your encouraging words and prayers.

    pls. enter me in your giveaway… thx

    Elly

  2. God amazes me how He confirms His message to me in such a variety ways! I struggle with all of these issues. Thank you for praying for us. I’m in!

  3. I’m in! I struggle constantly with entertaining lies from the enemy, the biggest one being that I’m not really saved even though I believe in the Lord and have accepted Him as my savior. Thanks for your prayers and your messages!

  4. I’m in! I struggle with being a patient and gentle mom, being committed to exercising and just getting a few goals accomplished. I get so defeated by lack of progress and discouragement.

  5. Count me in!

    Everyone struggles with the disconnect between mind and actions. I think we all suffer from lives so completely busy that we rarely have a moment to unwind and reflect. Our minds are running a mile a minute processing thoughts and ideas, that we fail to see the path of darkness we are tripping down. I think this crazy/insane busyness is a trick of Satan’s. The more time we are busy about our own business the less we are busy about our Father’s business.

  6. Fighting the darkness is always on my list of things to do. My default button in my thinking takes me back to doubts (even of my salvation) and fears. Sometimes my fears are of God and what He might allow in my life if I don’t win this battle.

  7. YEs I struggle with those issues too! Actually this morning was one of those mornings and I kept telling myself that I needed to change my mind set, but it wasn’t working!
    Thanks

  8. I was just having this discussion with my newly married daughter. We need to focus on Him not ourselves. I am trying to focus on ‘follow the Shepherd’ this year by reading Psalm 23 every day.

  9. Thanks for your thoughts, Karen. I DO face this struggle as well, and I appreciate your reminder to “run to the light.” I have been faced with a situation recently that totally falls into this category. It was good to hear that we DO have other options and don’t have to give in to Satan’s deceptive messages. Thanks again for your words of encouragement!

  10. I’m in! And…I almost cried with the admonition to think about what is true and not let our enemy tell me what is not true. It is so easy to believe the lies he tells us. But, we have the victory already in Jesus! And it does take work, but I know it can be done. Thanks for this post! I needed it today!

  11. This is also my first visit to your blog, and it spoke to me this morning. I do struggle with “doing the right thing” and beating myself up when I don’t think or say the things I should. I forget that this is all part of His plan, using just such feelings to help shape me. And then I get a message from Him through a devotional like this and I am reminded of how much He loves us no matter what! That unconditional love is the most wonderful feeling in the world! May we all walk in the light of His love.

  12. I struggle every day with doing what God wants me to. It so hard not to give into the world around us and do what they do and react to them. With God’s power we can overcome. Such a timely blog!

  13. Not only do I agree, but I am in the exact same place! I wonder “your know all this stuff now! What’s your problem?? Just do the RIGHT THING!”

    Then I find myself in the spirit dragging my self in the flesh forward. Sometimes I am actually doing that walk like a pre-teen when you make them go out with you IN PUBLIC>>> with my lip our and everthing. And I remind myself to check my attitude, so I will offer half a smile. I wonder to my daddy God “why do you even put up with this little brat?”

    But He does, and soon enough, my spirit catches up with my flesh and I am serving and singing and worshiping anew… it’s funny, but pitiful at the same time.

  14. This is my first visit to your blog…and what a powerful reminder for me! I am going to remember this when Satan’s lies creep in everyday like they do. I will CHOOSE to focus on the promises of God and keep my mind aligned with His word. Good-bye darkness! I choose light!

  15. I am SO with you on this one, sister… I need His help to do the good that He wants me to do! Guard my heart, oh Lord, keep the doors of my lips!!

  16. I’m in! My mentor & I spoke of these very things this week. Timely message, as I wonder from day to day “where is God?!”, and I so cherish messages like yours.

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