I REALLY Want to be Good....

Romans 7:18-19 "..... For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do---this I keep on doing."

As a person who has battled with my weight for many years, I can truly relate to the internal struggle Paul is speaking of in today's scripture. How many times have I felt that I was finally doing "good" on my diet to suddenly succumb to a tempting slice of cake or to just settle for a burger because I had no time to prepare a nourishing meal? My desire was to stay on track, but external forces managed to get me off course.

Even if weight is not your struggle, I am certain that you can relate to me in some other area of your life. I want you to realize that God understands that "being good" is something that we need to work on--to cultivate--in our lives. It is something that is very difficult to do on our own--- it is doing the right thing when no one else is watching because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

My challenge to you today is to realize that the battle "to be good" is one that is worth fighting for--worth cultivating.  God promises in His Word that He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear AND that He will always provide a way out so that we can endure whatever we are facing.  We just need to turn to Him when temptation strikes ... when OUR attempts at trying to be REALLY good are in jeopardy!

Dear Lord, My deepest desire is to be a reflection of You in the presence of others as well as when others are not around. Help me to realize that You are ALWAYS there to provide a way out of my troubles. 

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Am I turning to Him in my times of weakness to draw upon His strength?