Every step I take, Father,
it is so easy to sin
especially when it’s something
I’ve been used to all my life.
Just by failing to good
when given the opportunity,
I can sin.
Your word guides me
down the road to avoid:
“For out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,
false witness, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15:19)
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not
Inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Now the works of the flesh are evident,
which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousies, obursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like; of which I tell you
before hand, just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Therefore putting away lying,
“Let each of you speak truth with his neighbor,”
for we are members of one another.
“Be angry and do not sin;” do not let the sun
go down on your wrath, nor give place
to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer,
but rather let him labor, working with his hands
what is good, that he may have something
to give to him who has need. Let no corrupt
word proceed out of your mouth. But what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace
to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit
of God, by whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
away from you with all malice. (Ephesians 4:25-31)
But fornication, and uncleanness, or covetousness,
let it not even be named among you. As is fitting
for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor course jesting, which are not fitting,
but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:3-4)
For men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving,
slanderers, without self control, brutal,
despisers of good, traitors, head strong,
haughty, lovers pleasure rather than
lovers of God. (2 Timothy 3:2-4)
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,
And you know that no murderer has eternal
life abiding in him. (1 John 3:22)
Anyone then, who knows the good he
ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4:17)
All of this surrounds me, Father,
it is hard to keep my feet upon the narrow path.
Even having the wrong attitude invokes sin:
You have heard that it was said to those of old,
“You shall not murder, and whoever murders
will be in danger of the judgment.’
“But I say to you, that whoever is angry with
his brother without a cause shall be in danger
of the judgment, and whoever says to his brother,
“Raca!” shall be in danger of the council.
But whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger
of hell fire. (Matthew 5:21-22)
“You have heard that it was said to those of old,
“You shall not commit adultery,’
“But I say to you that whoever looks
at a woman to lust for her
has committed adultery with her in
his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)
O how temptation is covering the land,
and before me every living moment.
Though it isn’t sinful to be tempted,
it is sinful to give in.
Satan uses every trick to get us to give in.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life, which
the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is tempted,
“I am tempted by God;”
for God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he himself tempt anyone
but each one is tempted when he
is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then when desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full grown
brings forth death. ( James 1:12-15)
I am tempted, Father,
even this moment, here and now,
as I write – I am tempted.
This feeling of temptation
is sometimes overwhelming
because it’s all I’ve ever known.
And even though I am tempted
I am not counted sinful,
until I give in.
Strength O Lord, I cry out for strength!
As I do, I cannot thank You enough,
for You have given me hope,
in this world that I once viewed
as hopeless.
Give me strength to endure temptation,
should blessings come my way,
I want them not for myself,
but rather I ask O Lord,
that the hope you’ve given me,
find those who suffer as I do.
Let it and may it
And the strength I find through You,
I ask, Father,
pour it out over Your entire body.
May the strength and hope
wash over us like a mighty flood,
into our hearts and minds
while seeking you earnestly
dark forces are trying to steal
away the love I’m finding in You.
It’s so hard to give it back freely,
when their faults include bodily harm
to me and those I love.
I haven’t given in and given
back what they give.
My blood is boiling and my anger
is mounting,
I feel like a super volcano
waiting to erupt at any moment.
The police don’t do anything,
They show no concern
almost as if they are waiting
for me to erupt.
They do nothing
when something should be done.
I need Your help, Father,
Delay no longer, Father!
Delay no more and STRIKE
with a blow of a forceful
fist – swing from above
and crush them completely!
Use the flood waters, use the wind
send the tornados, bring forth the lightning,
with devastating hail, and with scorching heat
burn them -
hit them so fast that they not even see it.
Let it be should they move against me
or those I love with
harmful intent.
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters
according to the flesh, not with eyeservice,
as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
And whatever you do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not to men,
knowing that from the Lord you
will receive the reward of the inheritance;
for you serve the Lord Christ.
But he who does wrong will be
repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:22-25)
My love lets me not strike back
it causes me to put my hope in You
knowing that You’ll strike for me,
here is my patience and belief.
I am angry, Father,
but I am not sinning because of my anger.
I am having a very hard time understanding
how a brother through Christ
can cause such havoc and harm
to those who give freely.
I'm beginning not to see them
as a brother but as an enemy.
He is they -
being more than one
and consisting of an army.
Make Your move, Father,
I ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen!
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,
Who was, and is, and is to come.
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