Convictions

God has been convicting me of a lot of things lately. I originally was going to post multiple blogs for each conviction. Then I decided it would probably be better to put them all together.

Complaining;
I have been convicted of complaining lately. I complain way to much! I always think that what I'm complaining about is worth it. Usually its about my health or how things in my life aren't going the way I had planned. I think we all get that "it's just not fair" syndrome from time to time. We, as Americans, get this mindset of how are lives should be and if they aren't perfect and if things aren't going smoothly and they are not living up to our expectations, we complain about it. I was reading another girls blog the other day when God convicted me of this. Her
name is Katie, she is living in Uganda. She was talking about how she wants her heart to break for God's people the way His heart breaks for His people. She told two stories of people near her. One is a older woman who is blind and lives in a 4ft by 4ft shack by herself. She has no
one to even get her food! This story not only made me incredibly sad, it convicted me. I have nothing to complain about! I have a loving Savior that has blessed me with more than I could ever need! Thank you God for loving me and sending Your Son to be my redeemer and to save
me through His death on the cross from my own death in sin! If any of you want to look at that blog the URL is kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com. She has been very inspiring to me!

Pride;
Why is it that so often I am prideful? God has been convicting me ofmy pride lately as well. I hate to be prideful and yet my flesh loves it somuch! Pride gets in the way of so many things. First of all, it becomes a barrier between me and God. Second, it becomes a barrier between me and others. I don't show Gods love to others because of the barrier between me and God. And finally, it separates me from my joy and peace because I'm no longer doing Gods will.

Humility is something I long for! I ask God to give me humility all the time and usually right after I pray for it a little thought pops in my head saying, "that was good of you to pray for that". There's that pride again!!!!!! God help me to not be prideful! I desire to be humble in everything I do so that it will be bring you glory! Help me to remember Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Help me to walk humbly with you, O Lord!

Material possessions;
I am very tired of all of the "things" that we have in this world. Certain things seem good but truly aren't, they cause us to not trust God. Yes, I am glad for some of our medical technology and I probably would have died without them, but honestly we put our trust in all of these things
or idols instead of God. God was the one that saved me after Guatemala not the doctors or the medical things! We know that we can do it with all of our technology and we feel like we don't need God. This season, has really convicted me of all of the idols in my life, all of the things that I think I need. I told my mom the other day that I just wanted to sell all of my things because they get in the way of my relationship with Christ. I hope that this Christmas we can remember that Christmas is not about our gifts it's about God's gift to us, His Son Jesus Christ!

I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas remembering not only Jesus' birth, but also His death on the cross and His resurrection three days later that gave life to those who believe in Him!

In Christ's Love,
Julie