True fortitude I take to be the quiet possession of a mans self, and an undisturbed doing of his duty, whatever evil besets or danger lies in his way.
JOHN LOCKE
Restore me to the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 NIV
David was king of the nation of Israel and had all political power, all the material wealth at his fingertips, a great army at his defense, many strong and powerful friends who advised him, and then there was Nathan the prophet. Nathan kept David accountable to himself and God. Nathan picked out a time in Davids life when the lust of the eyes and the weakness of his flesh pulled him into an adulteress relationship, and Nathan confronted David upfront about it. My how I hurts sometimes when there is someone we know, that knows us well enough, and they honestly shoot straight to us. The concept of sponsorship in working a program of recovery brings people into our lives that keep us accountable. The mens Christian fellowship know as Promise Keepers has small groups that keep those involved accountable to each other. Many women have groups that meet regularly for prayer and other functions that allow a honest closeness to exist that brings about accountability. Sometimes it is possible for me to side-step issues in my life, until someone else points them out, and then I know that they know, and of course everyone knows that God knows. I have found that the best time to work on a problem in my life is when it is seen in the light of someone elses eyes. This brings about a willingness, and that is where David received some of his strength to overcome himself. He more or less said God grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. If I am not willing and open to change daily in my life, then I am doomed to repeat over and over the mistakes of the past. Today I choose a willing spirit to sustain me so that God can do for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
Then the Lord said to him, You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are still filthy, full of greed and wickedness!
Luke 11:39 NLT
Changing those things in our life that we can change involves taking steps to clean the inside of our cup, our heart. We must begin by turning our eyes away from everyone around us, including those we blame for our condition in life or those we condemn to make our wrongs seem less in comparison. Then we can get back to looking within ourself. We all contain some residue of wrongdoing. When we admit this to God, and to ourself, and to others, we will experience the cleaning humility and forgiveness. Then we will have a life that can bring refreshment to others.
Life Recovery Bible, page 1227
JOHN LOCKE
Restore me to the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 NIV
David was king of the nation of Israel and had all political power, all the material wealth at his fingertips, a great army at his defense, many strong and powerful friends who advised him, and then there was Nathan the prophet. Nathan kept David accountable to himself and God. Nathan picked out a time in Davids life when the lust of the eyes and the weakness of his flesh pulled him into an adulteress relationship, and Nathan confronted David upfront about it. My how I hurts sometimes when there is someone we know, that knows us well enough, and they honestly shoot straight to us. The concept of sponsorship in working a program of recovery brings people into our lives that keep us accountable. The mens Christian fellowship know as Promise Keepers has small groups that keep those involved accountable to each other. Many women have groups that meet regularly for prayer and other functions that allow a honest closeness to exist that brings about accountability. Sometimes it is possible for me to side-step issues in my life, until someone else points them out, and then I know that they know, and of course everyone knows that God knows. I have found that the best time to work on a problem in my life is when it is seen in the light of someone elses eyes. This brings about a willingness, and that is where David received some of his strength to overcome himself. He more or less said God grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. If I am not willing and open to change daily in my life, then I am doomed to repeat over and over the mistakes of the past. Today I choose a willing spirit to sustain me so that God can do for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
Then the Lord said to him, You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are still filthy, full of greed and wickedness!
Luke 11:39 NLT
Changing those things in our life that we can change involves taking steps to clean the inside of our cup, our heart. We must begin by turning our eyes away from everyone around us, including those we blame for our condition in life or those we condemn to make our wrongs seem less in comparison. Then we can get back to looking within ourself. We all contain some residue of wrongdoing. When we admit this to God, and to ourself, and to others, we will experience the cleaning humility and forgiveness. Then we will have a life that can bring refreshment to others.
Life Recovery Bible, page 1227
