What's A Girl To Do...Or Not To Do?

"I want to do what is good, but I don't.  I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway."  Romans 7:18b-19 (NLT)

Do you struggle with it too?  Wanting to do what's right...and sometimes you just don't. 

I'm referring not to some big, bad sins, but to stuff like eating right...exercising...cooking healthy meals for your family (more than 3 or 4 times a week). 

And even more important stuff like spending quality time in God's Word...praying in the proper way, with more praise and thanksgiving, and less asking, asking, asking...serving however God has called you to serve...even when you're tired...using the gifts He has given you...nurturing and growing those gifts and sharing them to the fullest.

In my NLT Bible, Romans 12:13 says, "Don't just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  When God's people are in need, be ready to help them.  Always be eager to practice hospitality."

I had to just write "Help me." in the margin.

I'm afraid that sometimes I pretend to love.  I don't know that I always hate what is wrong...in fact I wasted about 30 minutes of my evening watching pure junk (and that includes fast forwarding through commercials) on TV...and in the middle of penning these words.  Do I love with genuine affection?  Do I take delight in honoring others?  And oh...my...word...never be lazy???  Work hard and serve enthusiastically?  Be patient in trouble?  Help those in need?  Always be eager to practice hospitality???  But what about the dust bunnies?  The dog hair?  Always...Really??

I can't do any of it on my own.  Can you?

There is consolation...an answer...THE answer..our help..our victory!

"Thank God!  The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 7:25a  "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness."  Romans 8:26  And "overwhelming victory is ours through Christ'!  Romans 8:37b (NLT)

Lord, how it helps to know that in our weakness You are strong!  Lord, fill us to the brim with You, so that we can have the Mind of Christ...and the actions that follow.