MAKE YOURSELF NEW

” THROW OFF YOUR OLD SINFUL NATURE AND YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, WHICH IS CORRUPTED BY LUST AND DECEPTION. INSTEAD, LET THE SPIRIT RENEW YOUR THOUGHTS AND ATTITIUDES.” EPHESIANS 4:22-23

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior everything changes. We become a different person. 40+ years ago when I accepted Christ I had to change a lot of things. The one area that was the hardest for me was smoking. When I accepted Jesus I was smoking up to 3 packs per day and I enjoyed smoking. However, the Lord began to convict me from day one. I knew smoking was not good for me. I knew that my body was the temple of God. I knew that the Holy Spirit was living within me. But, I loved smoking. I would stop for a few days and then convince myself that it wouldn’t hurt to smoke a little but not as much as I did before. The Lord kept on reminding me that if I kept smoking I not only was hurting something that he had created but also I was not being a good witness for those around me. I was reading the bible, praying and witnessing to others about Christ and then have a cigarette. WOW, what a witness. I was pretty hardheaded but eventually the Lord convinced me. I took a pack of cigarettes that I always kept, just in case I needed one, and threw them out. Through the name of Jesus I talked directly to the evils of smoking by rebuking the smoking habit and never smoked again. Change is not easy. It is so important to turn our love to the Lord and away from the things of this world. Jesus died so that we can overcome the hard things in life. We have a patient and loving Lord. We have one who will gently help us through our bad times and turn us onto the right path. All we have to do is continue to build our faith and never give up on him. I still fight worldly things around me. We all do. We always need the Lord to help us. PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS!