That Who-Do That You Do So Well....

May Your Greatest Blessing Be Ahead of You...Labels are very powerful. Who we label ourselves as, or let others label us as, has a great bearing on what we do, our actions. Although one must be honest with himself and his shortcomings, he must not become comfortable with his dysfunction. If one says that he is an alcoholic and fixes in his mind that this situation will never change, he will behave in "alcoholic ways" more so than he who says "that he currently suffers with the challenges and unhealthy behaviors of alcoholism, yet this must not always be, and he is on a path whose destination is recovery, remission, and freedom."

Never give up! Most, if not all, adults have various challenges with dysfunctional behaviors, some more so than others. Those who are free of any "negative behaviors" are often seen as an oddity, or those who "do not know what life is about." Sobriety from any sinful dysfunction is not easy. Yet, if Christ stated that we should be perfect as the Father in Heaven is perfect, then such must be possible.

When satan whispers in your ear, "Have another drink, you drunkard!", and you yield, the weight of guilt, the feelings of powerlessness, and the shame only places a weight on your shoulders that lowers your self-esteem. The result of accepting the "who" satan says you are, is more "do" consistent with the stereotypes associated with the "who" label. This reinforces the "who" which only brings more "do". The long-term end of this cycle is only self-destruction.

Many believers at sometime or another suffer this spiritual amnesia and forget "who" they are in Christ. When we remember who we are in the Lord, we do as he teaches [ Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV) ] whenever possible. And, praise the Lord that the "jots and tittles" shall for be intact until all is fulfilled. Theses "jots ans tittles" help us "do" the "life-walk" of children of God well. Knowing "who" we are and "Whose" we are, will help us "do" the walk of recovery. It will help us shed negative behaviors and adopt positive ones. It will free us from willful sin as [ Hebrews 10:26 (KJV) ] admonishes us against. Christ's sacrifice was not so we might "sin without consequence"; it was so we might eventually "free" ourselves from unhealthy behaviors often reinforced by "guilt and shame". If one only stops at "accepting forgiveness" without striving for the day when he will no longer engage in an "offensive" sinful acts, he has halted short of receiving the true beauty and gift of the Lord's cross-experience, the remission of sin.

We have all fallen at times. Some of us continue sinning willfully claiming that this is why Christ died, often feeling powerless over our behaviors. We feel so spiritually impotent that we do not strive for better behaviors. Yet, we simply should stop our willful misbehavior because the Lord and His Commandments are worthy of the respect. The Lord shall not be mocked, nor will His Crucifixion and Resurrection be a target of our mockery without "negative" consequences.

Do your "Who-Do" well.

Who are you...a citizen in His Kingdom.
What do you Do...live the Kingdom Life.

May Your Upcoming Life's Seasons Be Blest.

This Morning - Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV)

Those of a kindred heart, may you be blest this morning. Life has been busy and time for writing has been limited. Yet, upon checking this account this morning, it became apparent that someone is reading these notes. Hopefully, they help and not hinder one's faith. My heart has been set on Matthew 5:17-20 for the past few years. It seems that we could all use more self-discipline and many preachers and teachers of Christianity gloss over these verses in Christ's Sermon on the Mount. Yet, they immediately follow the "Light of the world" and "City on a Hill" passage. How can we truly be a Light in this dark world. Following the admonitions in Matthew 5:17-20 is the best route. As Christ said, "Obedience is better than sacrifice." Many your days and weeks be blest.