Sweet Potatoes and Sin

Ever left something like a sweet potato untended for far too long? If not, check out the picture to the left to see what happens to a tater in a dark place. Roots begin to develop and grow.

If you think about it, sin can be similar. Left untended in a dark place, sin will take root growing steadily until it is so entrenched that it takes significant focus and prayer to be rid of.

As James says: "...each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." -James 1:14-15.

At the first sign of temptation, nip it in the bud. Rip out anything that's started to take root in your life and throw it away. Avoid seeding your mind and environment with things that make fertile soil for sin. Instead, fertilize ground that is rich in righteousness and ripe for the fruit of the Spirit.

Is there anything growing in your life that needs to be uprooted?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Note: no sweet potatoes were harmed in the writing of this post

Hungry for Righteousness

Have you ever been really hungry, so hungry that both animate and inanimate objects were at risk for consumption? This happens every once in a while for me and I could eat a box full of donuts but that would probably just make me hyper, give me a major sugar high, and result in a stomach ache while leaving me wanting for real nourishment. Usually, only things of substance like oatmeal, spaghetti, or a chicken sandwich can satisfy the hunger.

Over the past couple of months, I've been meditating a bit on Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."I've read or heard this verse many times but haven't spent much time pondering it before. The desire to fulfill emotional/spiritual hunger is natural and as with physical hunger, numerous options are available.

People may try to fill their spiritual/emotional hunger with things like TV, sports, alcohol, relationships, internet surfing, work, achievement, or an assortment of other things. These things may temporarily fill emptiness but will never provide true fulfillment.

I challenge you to spend the next 30 days asking God to put in you a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Feast from the table of spiritual meat and potatoes and be filled. Drink deeply and be satisfied from the springs of His righteousness.

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew