Stay the course...

I am always amazed at how the Bible can be read so many times, the same passage, and there is new insight every time! Amazing.

Today, I read about Daniel and King Belshazzar and how the king was rooted from his kingship because he failed to follow his father's command to believe in Daniel's God and worship Him.  In fact,  the king drank from the cups his father had taken from the Holy temple when the Jews were captured. This was the last straw for God! 

Then it was pointed it that Adam and Eve gave in to the sin of the flesh (she wanted to eat the apple),  the sin of the eye (she saw the apple and it looked good),  and the sin if pride (it would give her more). Satan tried to tempt Jesus with all three of these when He was out in the desert for 40 days.  

So, God warns us, over and over to"stay the course. " Don't let the sin of the flesh, the eye, or power/pride control our decisions and motives. Our motives should always be to please and glorify God...not ourselves.  

If we focus on ourselves, we get into trouble...just look at Adam and Eve and King Belshazzar for two examples.   If we focus on God (constantly praying and studying the Bible) and do what glorifies Him, not us, this  crazy life starts to make sense and we see the blessings God has bestowed on us in the midst of the hard times as well as the good times. 

Romans 8:5-8
then those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

Father,  please keep our hearts and minds focused on you.  Amen