Our Little Secret

[caileesnana]

"Accountability" is not a word a man wants to hear - not from his wife,
or pastor, or boss. Each man secretly wants to be the king of the hill, a
rock, an island, a fortress, and a storehouse of wisdom. We cover our
chinks, hide our habits, and tone down our mess ups.
But, lest we feel even lower because of it, godly men of faith have
faced the same problem:
1. Elijah thought he could handle being a man of great faith. It left him
feeling all alone.
2. Moses tried to do it all himself. It brought out fits of anger.
3. Samson never thought himself a womanizer. It cost him his sight, his
freedom and his life.
4. Abraham trusted in his wits to protect his wife. He was caught in his
lies.
5. David never confessed his voyeurism. It made him an adulterer, deceiver
and murderer.
6. Job lived in fear that he'd lose it all. He...lost it all.
7. Saul liked being "head and shoulders" above others. He became a
spiritual midget.
8. Solomon used his marriages as a treaty between nations. His many wives
led him to idolatry.
9. Jonah tried to run away from God. (Yeah, right).
10. Judas let money become his god. It made him the Betrayer of Christ.
11. Ananias & Sapphira were more worried about prestige than sacrifice.
They lost their lives.
12. Paul and Barnabas let an employee problem separate them. They never
worked together again.
13. Peter thought a macho bravado was everything. In fear, he denied ever
knowing Jesus.
If the Enemy can convince a man that he doesn't have a problem, or it's
too insignificant, or no one would understand...he's got him.
There are Christian men "living lives of quiet desperation," in fear
that someone will find them out. And the truth is, all the other men are
wanting someone to have the courage to step forward and confess something,
anything. Get the ball rolling. Make me realize I'm not the odd-man-out.
Why else would James write, "Confess your faults to one another...that you
might be healed?" (Jam. 5:16).
Today, may Jesus Christ give us the courage to admit to ourselves,
confess to another, and repent before God...of that one "besetting sin" that
has fettered our faith, closeted our convictions, and wilted our witness.
Then, perhaps, our "little secret" will become...His big victory.
Kurts Daily Must June 14, 2007

[best]

Originally Posted by caileesnana

9. Jonah tried to run away from God. (Yeah, right).

If the Enemy can convince a man that he doesn't have a problem, or it's
too insignificant, or no one would understand...he's got him.

Drinking problem? No not me.
Jonah was 3 days in the belly of a fish. Yuck has been my thought every time I read of that. It just hit me in reading your post... 3 days in a belly of a fish would have been a short lesson vs how many years I spent in the Muck and Mire of life and with the self made problems that alcohol brings into life.
If not for the Lord...

Psalm 40:2 "He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire...

[caileesnana]

[quote=best;1371127].
If not for the Lord...

QUOTE]

Amen!

[namommy]

Wow!!

I was thinking along these lines today. About my faults and who do I confess them to. Who would understand and not judge. I have done many horrible things during my life of active addiction. I know now that Jesus forgives me my sins, and if he can forgive mine, then anyone has a shot at it.

[Cynay]

So true Namommy....

Maybe try your sponsor or pastor?

[IO Storm]

In John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress..

Pilgrim was wallowing in the Slough of Despond..all seemed hopeless

and Pilgrim thought his end was near.

The Lord pointed to a place a few feet away..and Pilgrim saw steps

leading up to solid rock.

The steps were there..

What a gentle shepherd we have to point the way.


Love,

IO

[best]

Originally Posted by IO Storm

..and Pilgrim saw steps

leading up to solid rock.

A song verse...

On the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

(Jesus and God's word are the rock)