Bicycles

Satan, the deceiver, the vain one, wants us to believe that we have no control over our habitual sins. He wants us to believe that when the urge to act in a certain way comes over us we have no choice but to give into those same urges. This is a lie! Galatians 5:1 says "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free." However, when we agree with Satan, we give him authority over us.

As Christians we have a choice! We either choose to believe the thoughts and obey the subtle promptings of the Serpent or we choose to believe and stand firm in the promises of Almighty God. Understand, however, that whom ever we choose to believe and obey, they are our true master and lord.

Have hope! Because God loves us and wants us to succeed, He will give use many opportunities to get it right; to believe and to stand firm in Him. How many chances do we have? More than we could ever hope.

God loves us. He is not waiting for us to fail. No! He is waiting expectantly for us to get it right. When we do, God says "Look! That's my son whom I love. I am very pleased and proud of him!" (Matt. 3:17 - paraphrased) Now because of what Jesus did on the cross, all the praise and blessings that belong to the Son, completely transfer and belong to us when we accept the gift Jesus gave to us.

Think of God as a father teaching his son, that's us, to ride a bicycle. He stands by our side and encourages us. He'll hold us up for awhile, but in his wisdom, lets go so that we can learn how to ride. And when we fall, for it is no surprise to God when we do because he knows we will fall before we do, He is there to pick us up, encourage us and put us back on the right path.

God does not get angry when we fall. His patience is perfect. And when we get it right, God shares in our victory.

"If it's God will then..."

"What's God's will for my life?"
(True Freedom in Christ)

Most people I've meet go through life not understanding what it is exactly God expects from us. They feel condemned or guilty because they are not meeting a standard which they feel that God has set. For example, "I don't read my bible enough because as a Christian I should read it more often." Or how about, "I need to allot more time in my day so I can stop everything I'm doing, find a quite place to get on my knees and pray about a whole lot of things which I need and hope God finds me worthy enough to listen." Well, you get the idea.

I've got good news! God does not have any expectations of you. He does not have a list of things he'd like you to complete. God does not expect you to be more than you are. God does not expect you to change yourself to become a better or holier person. He does not expect you to read your bible fifteen minutes a day. So what does God want? God wants to have a relationship with you. That's it!

When you are in relationship with the Lord, he will change you. He will help get rid of your bad habits. He will instruct you and teach you. He will let you know when you need to pray and read your bible. He will make your life rich and full. But the key to this life is a true and real relationship, which includes conversation, with God. It is only in relationship that we have absolute and true freedom.

There is one very vital aspect to this relationship with God, however, that you must learn. That is to listen for and to hear the voice of God so that he can teach and instruct you in his ways. And I can promise you that this is not easy. It takes practice!

Because we have spent most of our lives not listening for God's "still, quiet voice" and doing things our own way, you will probably find it difficult at first to share a dynamic and fulfilling conversation with the Lord.

How do I know it's God and not me? This is where the bible comes in. God is an unchanging God. So if what you believe God has put on your heart does not align itself with the principles found in God's word, then it's probably not of God.

Real relationship brings real freedom. Freedom to accept who we are, and that God is well pleased with us at all times.