My husband, the Preacher

Today was pulpit trade. My husband preached to a congregation of 3(!) - the Pastor's wife, the Pastor's mother and the member of our own congregation who was serving as his driver - in a small town in Iwate about 2 and a half hours south of here and that Pastor preached here. It was good. But I must confess I'm rather partial to my own husband's sermons.

We have had so many English (only) speakers living with us for a few months at a time, and translating is so tedious, that I've begun writing synopses. This morning I was encouraged as I re-read last week notes which ended with this challenge:

We are no longer bound by the law but if you think you are free to sin think again! The Spirit is stricter than the law - Jesus said that even THINKING adultery was sin. BUT the Spirit enables us to do what is right.

We don't have to beat ourselves, starve ourselves (like Catholic monks). No, the Spirit helps us to live godly lives.

How?

Look at Romans 12:2 (a lesson we need to learn again and again.) To change our actions we must change our thinking.

Its not about will power. We must know and believe right things. Then the right actions will flow naturally without rules and beatings. If you are struggling with a sin you are believing/thinking wrong things and must change your thinking - not by will power but by knowledge of God.

Throw off your old thinking. Put on God's thoughts and then the right actions will flow out of that.

You stumble, you grow weary? Get up. Find your strength in God. When you repent he forgives. So draw near to Him. He loves you. He will strengthen you by His Holy Spirit.

Don't give up! Cling to Him who loves you. Live JOYFULLY!