Why Am I The Only One?

I have often thought that, "why am I the only one with this problem".  I was talking with a friend one time that was trying with God's help to fight her way back from drug addiction.  She said to me "I don't understand why I am the only one in my family with this problem."  As we talked further I realized that we are all addicts of one kind or another.  Let me name a few that might irritate you.  For example; obsessive cleaner, over eater, gym rat, reading novels, TV, the secular news, work, facebook, etc.  Anything that comes between your Lord, family and respondsibilities could be concidered an addiction.  I explained to her that each one of us has an addiction or you might call it your Achilles heel.  The sin that you struggle with, perhaps, gossip or gossip disguised as a prayer request, pride in the fact that you have never... are just two that we see in the church. You see God says sin is sin.  The consequences are different but Christ would have needed to die for our sin even if it was just one little white lie.
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(NIV)  God never says only sins of alcoholism, smoking, adultery, murder and stealing need to be washed by the cleansing blood of the Lamb.  No, God says they all do.  In fact, because of sin entering the world through Adam and Eve, technically we don't even need to sin to need a Savior.  We just need to be born of 2 humans.  Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered then world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."(NIV)
Sin spread like floodwater seeping into every crevice washing filth over every area of the human heart.  Sin like flood waters leaves a residue that stains, rots, and ruins if left too long.  Jesus' shed blood is like the cleansing soapy water that cleans a home after a flood.  I looked at several web sites for flood cleaning (because thankfully I have never dealt with this) and the general consensus is that it is a several step process that takes a long time.  But there is a distinct difference; with a flood you have to throw out the ruined items and the muck before you can rinse with soapy water.  However Christ says to "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28. (NKJV)  He is beckoning those who are still trying to carry their own sin burden.
You see that is the stark difference.  We don't have to throw out the junk first.  We don't have to go to church x amount of times.  We don't have to clean up for Christ.  We just have to come with all our flood ravaged hearts and He will wash them with His shed blood.  DO NOT MISTAKE me because this is now when Christ starts throwing junk out of our lives, not a justification for future sin.  He says "Kim, I don't think you need this bad language, do you?"  James 1:26 - "If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."(NKJV) 
The Holy Spirit comes in and starts tossing stuff and scrubbing corners.  This is a life long challenge because each of us has a weakness, a box of ruined stuff, per say, that we keep bringing back in the house and saying, "Are you sure this is ruined, are you sure I can't keep this?  It gives me comfort when I am sad, lonely, scared, mad and on and on.  But then the Holy Spirit says, "No, you don't need that because I am your comfort in time of need."
Let the Holy Spirit be your strength to overcome and throw out that box of sin.  Perhaps this would be a good time to write down your addiction or sin you are struggling with at this time and put it in the trash and watch the trash truck take it away.  Sometimes visual actions help our simple human minds.  God wants to be our peace, comfort, and joy.  He is unchanging, from the beginning of time all He wants is to fellowship with His creation.
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." (NKJV)
Lamentations 3: 21 -24 "This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.  It is of Jehovah's loving kindness that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.  Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." (ASV)
If you question the mercy and love of God go back and look at what He did for the Israelites over and over again.

Praise Your King

Have you ever thought of writing your own Psalm?  I did a long time ago; in fact it was an assignment for school.  It doesn't have to rhyme but it does have to be heart felt. When you read the writings from David and the other Psalms writers you feel their emotion.  Whether it be joy or sadness, fear or courage etc. 
I know I have have said in the past not to be led by our emotions.  This is still true, however we are to allow ourselves to display emotion.  Remember Genesis 1:26a  says "And God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...' ."
This includes our emotions.  We are just not to let them drive us.  Example "Oh, I woke up happy so it will be a good day" or "Oh, I woke up sad so it will be a bad day."  Everyday is a good day because God made if not because of the circumstances that surround the day. Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."  I know it is hard to be thankful of praise God when we are comforter.  You can also write a psalm that cries out for healing, protection or peace.  Psalm 23 is an example of this.
Psalm 23
1."Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;  for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever." (ASV)
I have used the phrase many time, "God is good all the time."  This is easy to say when everyone around you is healthy, your kids are obeying, you have enough money to pay the bills, and your friends all think you are the best thing since sliced bread.  But it gets infinitely harder when your marriage is struggling, your kids are making horrible decisions, you have a medical emergency that you can't pay for and your spouse or you just lost a job.  So now what!?  Are you still able to day God is good all the time?  I hope so.  Look at it like powering through the last few repetitions at the gym or finishing the last 2 miles of your marathon.  Even if it is through gritted teeth you growl out.  "GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!"  Say it out loud so Satan can hear you and you claim victory right here, right now.  DO NOT allow him to defeat you.  By the way this doesn't mean smiling like an idiot pretending nothing is wrong.
Joshua 1:9 says "Have not I commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (KJV)
Remember defeating Satan won't take away the trial but it will give you "a peace that passes all understanding" Philippians 4:7a.

Now go write your own psalm.  If you would like to post it here on my blog feel free.  I would love to read it.  It doesn't have to be super long and remember when the psalmist wrote he didn't write in numbered verses, they were more like poems.  Go for it praise your King!!

I praise you O God,
for you have filled my days with beauty.
You show me Your mercy by not consuming me
even though I sin against you.
You love me with a love that even I,
a mother cannot fathom.
You have blessed me in so many ways.
Thank you for my family,
for the protection you grant,
and the healing you give.
I praise you, O God,
not because of the stuff I have,
But because You, O Lord;
Yahweh, are the only One True God.
 You alone are worthy of any praise
that comes from my mouth.
HALLELUJAH!  HALLELUJAH!
You are King of this universe,
King of this world and
King of my heart!
Amen