MORE OF YOU AND LESS OF ME

Thank you, Father God, for this day. Thank you, as I attended HEARTStrong on Monday, January 31st, the Holy Spirit spoke to me.   Matt Chandler’s study illuminated so many things in my life, especially an awareness of the sin in my life. I don’t want to sin, but I do. Father God help me to be open to others about my sin, repent, and confess more.

Paul said:

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to, but the the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. Now, if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7: 18-20 (NIV ).

Lord, my prayers have been scattered. I have prayed for a strengthening in my spirit to come to you more humbly from the deep recesses of my heart and spirit. As we followed Psalm 119, Holy Spirit, you opened my eyes to see that praying God’s Word back to Him is what He is calling me to do.

Last Fall, Pastor Jason instructed us to pray the Psalms, finding words in the verses that speak to our hearts. This helped me; however, I was still praying in my strength and not opening my heart and spirit completely to the Holy Spirit.

During our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting in January, I began to take more time to meditate and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in my prayer time. I realized I was being pulled into habits that kept me from spending time with God, leaving me rushing through my prayer time—holding onto habits of this world and trying to do things in my own power.   I gave up TV for three weeks as part of my fast. Never realizing the power it held over me, I began to feel more calm and peaceful, sensing promptings from the Holy Spirit more. Spending more time in God’s Word opened a desire to spend even more time in the Word: More time meditating and seeking God in a deeper way.

Thank you, Father God, for your grace and new mercy every day. I want to submit to you and seek your truth—more of you and less of me. As I step deeper into your calling,  you have revived, refreshed and transformed my spirit. I believe in answered prayer, as you have shown me over and over again. I rejoice that you show me how to walk closer to you and cleanse my spirit through repentance. Instruct me in all your ways and remove any pride from areas of my life. Bring me into the light that Jesus is shining into my life. I will study, reflect (meditate) and delight in you.

Your Turn! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you!