Psalm 51.

Mike Shelton did an awesome job last Tuesday on Humility. I encourage you all to read back through Psalm 51. One of my favorite verses from Psalm 51 is verse 10: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

While spending time reflecting on both messages from this past week I started thinking about my life, as well as some conversations I have had with different friends lately. One thing that’s been on my heart is that we all seem to have at least one main struggle that is really hard for us to surrender to Christ. Something we hold onto so tightly, almost stubbornly. JP’s “horn” example this sunday reminded me of just that. We just don’t want to let go, even though we know God has something far greater for us.

Whenever I stumble I get really frustrated with myself, I am definitely my own worst critic. I always think of a verse JP shared last year:

Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Man that’s tough for me to read, because how gross does that sound?! Yet, we do it all the time.

JP also shared Proverbs 14:12 this weekend: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

I can tell you that when I ignore what I know is right (true), I always end up with hurt, pain, and regret. There has NEVER been a time while following the Lord and doing what he has called me to do that I have had any regret. Why then do we continue to do things our own way?

In the past when I would stumble it would set me back, hurting my relationship with the Lord because I would try to ignore what I did that caused me to sin against the Lord, or just pull away from Him. Now I am reminded of the following verse:

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I want to encourage yall to be broken before the Lord, to repent, to ask Christ to create in you a pure heart and a steadfast spirit focused on Him. Remember that Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly (John 10:10)! "God will never love you more than he does right now, he loves you." Like the song says "He never lets go". No matter where you are, what you've done, or what you are going through...He never lets go.

The party is now...don't miss it! Eternity includes our time here as we get to fellowship with our Father!

Praying for you all~

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