Update - Ramblings

In alot of my previous posts I say how I have struggled with devotions, can't pick them up, can't stay faithful, nothing. I've been praying about it, throughout those posts up until this day.. yesterday somethin came up.

So I got an ipod for Christmas, so I was on itunes, a program where I can download things onto the ipod, browsing around. Did you know that you can put podcasts on the ipods? Well obviously, you can! So I was looking at them and I found a whole bunch of sermons and different Bible studies, they are all free downloads! So I downloaded like three different sermons to my ipod.

I've noticed many times that I just plainly spend way too much time online, or on the computer in general. I've tried to come away from it, but it doesn't always work out. I've tried to limit my time, that doesn't last longer than the first day. I'm almost positive that this has got to be the reason for my unfaithfulness in devotions, all my time is given to my computer! These podcasts were the answer God brought to my attention! Coo, eh?

Maybe, just maybe, the answer isn't totally getting away from the computer, although it would be good. What I do is put in my earphones, and play these podcasts while I browse the internet. It's soo simple! When I start listening, i'm brought into a thinking process, and find myself hungry for more. So I wind up leaving my computer anyways to take notes and such!

I have faced a few times over the past few days that I just felt like scum, really far from God! Maybe it's testing? Whatever it is, I think I defeated it. I won the battle! I didn't lose my temper, I didn't even give up my devotional time because of my not 'feeling like' doing them!

I'm really excited! And felt the urge to share this with... well... you, I guess! :)

If you have prayed for me, thank you very much! There is something about it when somebody lifts another person's hard times and situations before our All-Powerful God! Its nothing to be overlooked, and nothing to be looked down upon! Miracles happen when we come before God with a sincere heart about anything, anyone. I genuinely THANK you your prayers.

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OH I almost forgot.. I'm not sure wether it was sunday school, my dad's sermon, or somewhere else where this was bought to my attention. But anyway...

Acts 9 talks about Saul's conversion. He was still a threat to the Christians, and a killer of them! While he was traveling from one place to another, God Himself confronted him, ordered him to go to the city. Saul was blind, and for three days he didn't eat or drink anything.

In Damascus, a man called Ananias was also confronted by God. God told him to go and meet Saul in the city... his responce to this could be seen as "Say what? Don't you know who he is?" But none the less, Ananias obeyed!

If you think about it, Saul wasn't much different than Saddam Hussien. In this perspective, there are a few awesome points to this story. Ananias had great enough faith to meet Saul and help him recieve God's forgiveness, and Saul was forgiven! His name was even changed! God gave Saul a 'clean slate'. God loved Saul, so he gave him the name Paul, a whole new reputation, a clean slate! Paul then started his new life in Jesus, not even confronting the priests or the others, God went right to work in him! Compare Saul & Paul...two completely different people. Only by the power of God could this happen!!

Liek Saul, God wants to give us a clean slate. Our names might not be changed, and we might not have previously been a threat, but none the less, we arent perfect. God provides a way out. I see the new year as a clean slate. But there are specific ones! If anybody reads this, think of how God gives you clean slates. What ways? What reasons? How do you react?

God wants us to see His immediate reaction to our immediate obedience. But for this, we have to have immediate obedience! Do it, don't sit back and think. God's provided a way out, take it and run for the finish line all the more!! I thank you for your patience if you actually read all of my ramblings...
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I just have one request, be with me in specific prayer for this world.