Need to get on the right path.

[Lenard]

I feel like I am a bad human being! I am positive that I know what is good and what I need to do and not do. However I consequently fail to get on the right path, the path of the Lord. I am too embarrassed to list all the things I need to do and don’t need to do anymore. I believe I cannot be a good Christian and still smoke and visit casinos. All I want is to be a good Christian and strengthen my bond the Lord. Please give me the strength to do so.

Lenard

 

[If Not For Grace]

"am positive that I know what is good and what I need to do and not do."


Of course you do, but you are only HUMAN. Paul killed in the name of Religion.
David committed adultery and set up his GF husband to be killed. Jacob got drunk and did not realized he had the wrong sister in his tent on his wedding night. Get the idea.

The only thing you can/should do is try and surrender YOUR will. This is what causes you to continue in activities you feel bad about. Pray only for the knowledge of God's will and the power to carry that out.

I have your same struggle sometimes and this is the ONLYthing I've found that works. Be Gentle and forgive yourself as you would anyone else.

 

[Lenard]

Thanks Dyanm

 

[holo]

Good news! God isn't looking for Good Christians, He's looking for sinners. It's His job to change you, not your job to make yourself acceptable to Him, because you never can.

You had to depend 100% on His grace when you first met Him, and you have to do the same today. Let it go, give it up so that He can take over. He will live in you, but He's got limited access as long as you try to steer the ship yourself, even if it's in the right direction.

I quit drugs by giving up instead of trying to lose the habit. I failed over and over, and so will you. It's only when I let it go that God got to do His work in me. I still smoke cigarettes, but it doesn't bother me a bit (except for the money). I'll probably try to quit a few times in not too long, fail, and give up, and then I'll be free from it.
I may never have a beer again, and I may smoke a joint tomorrow morning. I don't make that call, I live day by day, and as it turns out, God keeps me and guides me and protects me and I don't have to struggle with wanting to do this or that bad thing.

You already are clean and righteous, nothing you do can add or subtract to your standing before God, because it's about who you ARE, not what you DO. The key to living a "holy" life is to realize just that - that you're already saved by grace and have to depend on it for the rest of your life. HE has taken you from the world and into His kingdom. HE saved you. HE prepares works for you to walk in. HE is the good shepherd.

 

[trust_faith]

God will bless ya... just slowly come out from smoke and casinos.. U can do it when you have God's word in ur heart.