18,587 -- Lessons Learned from NaNoWriMo (continued)

When I look back to my college years (when I first trusted in Jesus as my Savior and began a personal relationship with Him), I saw more mature believers and thought that it would be impossible to ever have that kind of faith. But I learned some lessons over the years about THAT as well:

1. Although people sometimes look perfect on the outside, we cannot see their inner struggles. That is one of the reasons honesty is so important, not to discourage others, but so they won’t have an unrealistic idea of living a perfect life while still inhabiting a sinful body. Even those ‘perfect people’ in church are struggling with some issues. As you read Paul’s letters you find that at the end he, the apostle to the Gentiles, called himself the chief of all sinners. As God reveals more to us as we walk with him, we come to a deeper realization of just how depraved we really are on our own, and then love Jesus even more deeply for what he did for us on the cross by paying for our sins.

2. We must depend moment by moment on the control and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we trust in God to direct our paths, we can live a life pleasing to God, but in His strength, not our own. As soon as we take back control, we screw up.

3. Read the Bible and pray every day. So often it is easy to get distracted and neglect this. But even if only five minutes, do this daily. The Bible is God’s love letter and instruction manual to us. When I was in the Navy, I eagerly awaited mail call hoping for letters from home, which I then read avidly. I wanted to hear how they were doing, how the kids were growing, etc. And I wrote to them. Often we shared deeply personal thoughts in these letters. You have to spend time with someone to get to know them. To get to know God you need to read his letter (the Bible) and talk to him (prayer).

4. Encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24 says, “. . . let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” We will grow in our faith much faster when we give each other encouraging words and teach the truths of the Bible. And even when we fail, our faithful friends can help show us where we err and get us back on the right path. We are also to bear one another’s burdens. By whatever name (small groups, Bible studies, Community groups, etc), find a group of believers you can trust to keep confidences and take care of one another – physically, emotionally and spiritually. That is the true church – not a building.

5. Don’t get discouraged. Only Jesus lived a perfect life. We are NOT him. But as you mature in your faith and God works in your life, you will be able to look back and see REAL progress. In my B.C. (Before Christ) days, I was NOT a nice person. I could hold a grudge for days, was sarcastic and demeaning to people, and was very selfish and manipulative. If you don’t believe me, ask my sister! God has done a mighty work in my life and has changed me drastically. Although I will always have these sinful tendencies of the flesh, God really has transformed my personality. Romans 12: 2 says: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Let God change you from the inside out.

Obviously this list is not exhaustive, but just a few short reminders.