Who Cut in on You?

This past Sunday I gave the Youth Sunday School lesson on setting goals. (I know..super creative in the new year...) At any rate. We were talking about the scripture in Philippians that says, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14) Always a good verse to think about and live..... but there's another part of this theme that I want to spend a minute blogging about today....

Here is what Galatians 5: 5-7 says: (You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?  That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."  I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.)

Just a few thoughts:
1. Identify the problem: Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? And in this sense I want to talk about the truth about who you are. I truly believe that Satan roams this earth and uses whatever person or object he can find to feed you lies about yourself. Was there a time in your life that someone told you that you weren't good enough? Or pretty enough? Or fast enough? Maybe they told you'd already screwed up too much ...so what was the point in even trying to do the right thing? Maybe it was a advertisement, magazine, etc.... Maybe it was your own mind...self doubt....fear...


2. Identify the Truth: That kind of persuasion does NOT come from the one who calls you.
If those are the thoughts you have been thinking or feeling......THEY ARE A LIE.
The "One = Christ" who calls you....thinks you are AMAZING. WONDERFUL. TALENTED. LOVED. CREATIVE. GOOD ENOUGH. EQUPPED...for the things that HE has created you and called you to do.
Any thing opposite of that is NOT of God.

3. Step out of slavery and bondage and start walking in freedom
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
Whatever lies you are believing about yourself are like a yoke around your neck...weighing them down.
It is a concious decision to take the first step on your walk of freedom. You CAN do it. YOU DO HAVE WHAT IS WITHIN YOU to accomplish your goals.

Keep your eye on the prize...and trust God to give you strength and courage for each step.
Walking with you,
Morgan