2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Kings 17 GW; Mark 15 GW
God’s rules trump ours.
Since I spent most of my twenties making my own rules, living life my way, I learned this lesson first hand. Growing up, the church was the center of our lives. God’s way was the only way I knew. But after my Dad died, I decided I didn’t like God’s way of doing things. Instead, I thought I’d make my own rules, follow my desires. God gave me what I wanted:
“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” (Romans 1:24-25 NLT)
Trading the truth about God for a lie will leave you miserable. When I believed the lie, I ended up alone and broke. My way didn’t work.
God’s way gives life.
When I turned back to Jesus, He embraced me with open arms. Just like the father in the prodigal son, Jesus rejoices when we decide to believe His truth, leaving the lies behind. I knew, from personal experience, making up my own rules didn’t work.
Implementing God’s rules into your life is a choice you won’t regret. God doesn’t tell us how to live to bring us down; He does so to give us life to the full.
When I stopped abusing my body and treating it like God’s temple, life changed. My heart healed from the many breaks it endured. Over time, I became whole again, forgiving myself of my past mistakes, becoming a new creation in Christ.
God’s way is the best. Put His commands into practice. Find life to the fullest in Christ.
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Lord, thank You for loving us, even when we don’t obey. Forgive us for trying to live life on our terms. Help us today follow Your commands. When tempted to fall back into our ways, protect us from ourselves. Help us make good decisions today, putting You first in all things. Let us represent You well as we move through the next 24 hours. Let us find life to the fullest in You. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
Whose rules are you following these days?