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about entries links leader of the month tag
Friday, April 13, 2007
the struggles i face each day are very real.from stuff like spending time with god to stuff like watching the words i say(gossip etc).since i started my journey with god 3 years back,i always struggle to spend time with him daily.there's jst so many other things to do like studying,planning nxt day cell's word/worship...the list never ends.some pple think that leaders are all holy and sin-free but we all do struggle with certain issues like many of you too.

i was jst flipping through my reflection book today and the lord used what he spoke to me on the 1st of dec 2004 to speak to me again!

dead ducks don't flutter
Many years ago, a wealthy man went duck hunting with a hired hand named Sam. They took a horse and carriage, and along the way a rim came off one of the wheels. As Sam hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. Instantly he let go with some bad words. He quickly fell to his knees, asking God's forgiveness.

"Lord, it's so difficult at times to live the Christian life," he prayed.
"Sam," said the man, "I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle so. I'm an atheist, and I don't have problems like that."

Sam didn't know what to say. Just then two ducks flew overhead. The man raised his gun and two shots rang out.

"Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!" he shouted. Sam pointed at the duck that was fluttering desperately to escape and said, "I've got an answer for you now, Boss. You said that my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle so. Well, I'm the wounded duck, and I struggle to get away from the devil. But Boss, you're the dead duck!"

That insight fits Paul's description of his Christian experience in Romans 7:14-25. Struggle is one evidence of God's work in our lives. Forgiveness of sin is available, so don't despair. Remember, dead ducks don't flutter.


Struggle, yes, it's part of living,
Nothing's gained on beds of ease;
But when our heart is set on Jesus,
Struggle drives us to our knees.
-Dennis J. De Haan

"I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Romans7:14-25 (the message version)

if jesus lives in us, sin need not overwhelm us. so don't be discouraged if you face struggles of any kind,because it shows that you are not dead!just set your heart on jesus and the things that are above to overcome ur struggles.

ytd,i decided to drop everything to spend time w the lord and to set my heart back on him again.i ended up on my knees in his presence for almost an hour!it certainly was much more fulfilling than doing any other thing in the world.

this is a year of victory!let's proclaim god's victory over every area of struggle in our lives!

-Clar

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