St. Augustine was one of the greatest theologians who ever lived. But before he surrendered his heart and his life to Christ, he was a wicked young man, and his besetting sin was lust.
When he was first convicted of his sin, Augustine prayed, “O Lord, make me pure–but not yet.” Only when he prayed, “Now, Lord, now. Do it now, Lord,” was he forgiven and cleansed.
Augustine was converted to Christ, and God made him pure. Sixteen hundred years ago Augustine started following Jesus, and he changed the direction of Christianity as he called on people to rediscover the Scriptures and focus on Christ.
What besetting sin do you struggle with? Sin is often, if not always, the perversion of something good. In the midst of all our sinning, though, God is willing to forgive us, change us, and give us a new power to overcome that sin.
Are you praying “Make me pure–but not yet”? Maybe today is the day to say “Do it now, Lord. Now.”
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Michael & Alison Smitherman
The Singing NetSurfers
I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.
How many things do we need to be purified of, yet do not want to or feel we cannot give them up? The longer we delay our purification, the worse the need becomes to be cleansed. Whatever it is we fear to face, or dread releasing for our own good will be abundantly replaced with good if we let it go. If we cling to it, we will fall further into that from which we need to turn away. And, the more pain and suffering it will cause.
So today, let us ask God to purify us now, give us that which we need and free us from that yoke to which we are shackled. And fill us with the peace, strength, courage and will to be as God would have us be; his children in the garden he created.
Today is the day,
Z gardener
Good Morning Garden 
Another great comment form a gardener. Blessings, Z.
life can seem hectic and draining at times, until we remember the important stuff: His will is really our will (in our best interest).
Doing His Will:
· produces a “closer walk” and more powerful prayers,
· Solidifies and “smoothes over” the important relationships,
· Resolves problems and brings positive answers and outcome to our inner wants and true needs,
· Results in personal happiness and peace of mind.
Have learned lately that God will overcome any obstacles; but we must want IT more than we want to do that which produces immediate self-gratification but is counterproductive to our objectives. We must want to do His will more than we want to do ours during the moments that count. Otherwise, there is no challenge and we haven’t overcome anything. It only seems tough until we do it. Then we learn that our efforts and faith are well placed; and the results are their own reward.
Rather than temporarily stagnating or “back-tracking” (and feeling bad in our failure to progress/succeed), we find ourselves now suddenly moving forward with seemingly miraculous manifestations everywhere – cause and effect.
Heard part of a sermon once:
“Without Him you can’t; but without you He won’t.”
Makes sense… we have to try (be diligent, persevere and have faith that He is responding/carrying us/has already won the battle) in order for it to work. We have to want IT to happen.
Have been silent, but not absent… am paying close attention.