Believe in Christ's victory

...Sin [can’t] be managed, but rather [has] to be defeated. Thankfully, we don’t have to defeat our sin because Christ has already done it for us.

One of my biggest revelations was that I didn’t do anything to conquer my problem. In fact, my self-effort was the reason I fell over and over again. I couldn’t conquer the problem and couldn’t manage my sin.

As Christians, our victory is in Christ Jesus alone. As 1 John 2:1–2 says:

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

That’s not to say that practical steps aren’t prudent. But they become a problem if we trust in them instead of trusting in the saving work of Christ. Sin management doesn’t change our sinful hearts. Unless our heart is changed, our idols won’t be torn down—and we will fall again.

Often we’re so focused on avoiding temptation that we fail to realize that the problem isn’t temptation. Even Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15), and we’re promised that we won’t be tempted beyond our ability (1 Corinthians 10:13). The problem is that we’re sinners in need of a Savior. Avoiding temptation doesn’t change our hearts, but a changed heart, something that can only be accomplished by Christ’s work on the cross and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, allows us to overcome temptation.

I found these verses particularly helpful as I moved from avoiding temptation to trusting in Jesus to help me overcome temptation.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God [Jesus] abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” – 1 John 2:13–14

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” – 1 John 5:4

In light of this, if you’re struggling with [anything], I encourage you to stop trying to just manage your sin and avoid temptation. Stop working in your own strength. Admit to yourself the severity of your sin and idolatry. Admit to those whom you love the darkness of your heart and sins, walking from now on in the light. And finally, trust in Christ Jesus as your righteousness and overcome evil by the faith you have placed in him—not in your own actions and righteousness.

Only then will you be free.

God Loves You
Finally, I want to remind you that God loves you. His desire is to redeem you and bring you back into full relationship with him. You cannot achieve this for yourself. That is why he sent Jesus to accomplish this for us.

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:14–19

Meditate on this and realize what a life-changing concept it is.

God’s intentions for you are restoration, not judgment. That judgment has been handed down to Christ as your propitiation, and Christ’s righteousness has been given to you.

You are free. Walk in that freedom.

-Jake Johnson
http://pastormark.tv/2012/03/06/how-jesus-overcame-my-porn-problem

datum vs data

science mumbo-jumbo...

interesting!
http://www.gpuss.co.uk/english_usage/data_plural_singular.htm

migraines

If you've known me for more than a week or so, you'd know that I get chronic migraines since I was a young child. I have pretty much every trigger imaginable (stress, not enough sleep, too much sleep, certain perfumes/smells, certain foods, volatile weather, abnormal schedule, and the list goes on...). Well, I'd have to say one of the greatest factors is stress, the one I first listed. Through God, I have learned to let go of the stress in my life. Obviously it's nearly impossible for anyone to be entirely stress-free, but I can definitely improve the amount of stress I allow in my life. God has freed my mind and heart from so much worry...(finances, having enough time to get things done, being a good enough wife/sister/daughter/aunt/friend, etc).

God cares about us so much...The Gospel according to Matthew is such a testament. Check out Matt 6:25-34 and 11:28-30. Also, Jeremiah 29:11-14. This is what brings me through. I am so precious to Him and it's such a waste of my time to be preoccupied with things that I know will be just fine and will work out in a way that is ultimately in my best interest.



My migraine frequency has gone down TREMENDOUSLY in the past year. I still get some pretty fierce ones every now and then, but those are usually due to other conditions that are out of my control--in particular the crazy MI weather!

It's just so cool how God is healing my mind and my soul, which is literally healing my physical body as well. He is great! Praise.

getting better

All good things come from God...including those who don't house the Spirit.

After praying each day for things to get better at work, it seems like hearts are being worked on. My boss was being so pleasant yesterday and the people that have been blatantly ignoring me are actually talking to me and seem to be sincerely engaged.

I was sitting in the office during a discussion between two bosses of mine that had been fueding for a year and a half...and they were making some reconciliation with one another! One of the guys is planning on moving to a new lab (maybe still will, but it's not out of bad feelings towards the other guy) and they could have gone a few more months being cold to each other, then out of each other's lives for good with no resolution. Instead, they are beginning to patch things up which will make the environment a lot less tense and a lot more tolerable.

After talking to Sal, he had much wisdom to share. I was confused how hearts could change toward the right thing when they aren't even Christ followers. I know good actions aren't even good if they aren't done for and in the name of Jesus, so how does what they do be guided or good? Well, Sal spoke to me about "common grace" that God gives everyone while on earth (which I knew of, but didn't even think about!) which still allows us the opportunity for positive and right actions. The conviction written on our hearts (EVERYONE's heart) from the beginning allows us to absolve sins in our lives. So even if these men aren't proclaiming Jesus as their strength and guide, God still has a morality written on their hearts that can alleviate some of the sins that affect an individual, those around them, and God Himself. Because all sin hurts God--makes Him sad.


Just praise God for clearly having a hand in this situation at my job. Keep praying to Him about its continuation to improve and for my motivation to get through the time I am here.

I have a really big issue with trying to leave early ALL the time and skip out on days. I am allowed to do this, but ultimately it only will make me reach graduation slower. It's hard to be motivated when I don't want to do this now...or even later. I'm trying to come in every single weekday until May 10 (at the least, but that's my goal to start) and staying the whole day for at least 4 out of the 5 days (some Fridays I have less work and it's nice to head home :) ). I need to get in a better habit and be a better worker. Even if I don't want to do this, I need to be a hard worker and good example to those around me. In Romans 12, it reminds me of how I need to be, no matter what. The Bible calls us to serve enthusiastically. Even though this is my job and I get paid (a student salary, but $ nonetheless) I can still be a hard worker for the Lord. I don't want to miss out on an opportunity to serve Him...because clearly He has me at this job for a particular purpose. I pray for clarity!


Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

God, please help me get through today. And tomorrow. And the week. And the next few weeks. And months. And years.

I hate working here...

I can't wait for Sal to start his residency and make money so I can forget about all of this.