Every morning, I fix myself a steaming cup of java and settle on the couch to write. One morning I woke up with clear words in my mind. It was as if someone had spoken them directly. I wrote four complete pages on a topic I hadn’t considered before. When I finished we headed to church for coffee, Sunday school, and worship.

During the worship hour, I had a moment when I almost fell off my seat. I have a terrible poker face, so the shock was obvious to those around me. It took me a second to snap back to the moment.

 

.

The preacher spoke in detail about my journal topic from that morning.  He described word for word the pages I had crafted. I felt like he somehow had access to my pages. I was stunned. This topic had been on my heart from the second I woke up. I never discussed it with anyone, not even John, my husband.

I was speechless. I compared my church notes to my journal. It was incredible. God does this sometimes. He reminds me who deserves credit for my words. It is a comfort to know he is always looking out for me, even in my personal writing.

The following is an excerpt from my journal entry, unedited and raw. (I never touch up my original words from my journal, because they mean more than anything I could possibly edit.)

Morning Pages January 14, 2018

I choose to be free in Christ. That means making an effort where certain “trap sins” are concerned. Trap sins are those an individual is prone to repeat – for example; gossip, theft, lying, adultery. They are things a person had as a part of their pre-believer lifestyle. They fit like an old glove because Satan knows what makes each of us tick.

 He knows how to provide a false sense of security and fake contentment. So, he makes our “trap sins” feel like riding a bike or slipping on a favorite pair of jeans. It’s what we know. It’s easy. It’s comfortable. It’s an escape. Except, now, the Holy Spirit is in our ear whispering “Um, Hello?”

We cannot allow ourselves to be set up to fall for this trick. It’s not the way for a Christian to behave although the temptation is great. It surprises us how easy it is to slip up. It may start out small, like a champagne toast at a wedding. Next thing you know, you’re picking up a case on the way home for the third time this week.

Comfort. What you know. It feels right.

But our feelings are liars and aside from the morning coffee and aspirin needed for a massive hangover, we have guilt.  Real, live, soul-crushing guilt. It makes us want to hide from God like Adam and Eve in the Garden. Guilt because we broke our promise.

Yet…

Jesus says come. He says come back and learn from your mistake. Know that my ways are not your ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and redemption is real and possible and promised.

Jesus says you are forgiven, let’s get you sober. He wants you and he’s willing to forgive and forget. Your job is to do it too. Forgive yourself for falling into the trap. Forget that life- it is no more. Because He is all you need now.

 

My morning notes from worship were based on the scripture Luke 4:1-13. 

• The devil is real-he wants to trap us.
• He is our enemy ~ Know who your enemy is.
• It’s not people who do evil things, they are being used by him and may not even be aware.
• His name is Satan, lucifer, devil, enemy, deceiver.
• He does his best work when he is not identified.
• He likely will attack us this week for having this discussion.
• The devil, if resisted, will flee. James 4:7 

Jesus was in the desert for prayer and rest, yet the devil was tempting him while he was alone.
He tempted him with food and miracle.

Jesus replied with “man cannot live on bread alone.” Matt 4:4

The devil works through vulnerable moments- hunger, thirst, desires, weakness and struggle.

He then tempted Jesus with power and money.

Again, Jesus replied with “Worship your Lord your God.” Luke 4:8

Once again, he tempted Jesus with testing God’s promises.

Jesus replied, “Do not test God.” Luke 4:12

The devil left him, waiting for the next opportunity for temptation.

The devil wants to divide, distract and destroy.

Christ wants us to unify, clarify and glorify.

Don’t be complacent to the mission-this place is not our home- don’t get used to it.

If you aren’t battling the deceiver, you are likely serving

his purpose and don’t even know it. 

When the preacher said “The devil wants to divide, distract and destroy”, I couldn’t help but think of those “trap sins” and their vicious cycle. When we are challenged with falling back into our old habits, we need to remember who is behind them.

Instead of allowing a path of division, we have the option to choose unity through Jesus. When our old habits begin to distract us, scripture can clarify the purpose of turning away. If we become entangled in a destructive pattern, we have the ability to stop and glorify the One who releases us from all ties to our past ways.