Individuality

So this week while I was at school, I had to get a serial number for something, I dont remember exactly what it was, but it was nice, I do remember that. Serial numbers give a lifeless object individuality, an example would be a computer or a television; if it is stolen, how do the police find it? They look for the serial number. So I started wondering, "Whats the difference between me and the 7 billion other people on the earth?" I know for me I first thought of things like our hair color, eye color, height, weight, all the physical aspects of life, but then I thought, "yes, all of that distinguishes us from one another one earth, but at the core, we are all still sinners who screw up all the stinking time." Romans 3:21 says,

But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight--not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago.

The one difference between Christians and the world around us is Christ. We are privileged. He gives us our individuality by blessing us with different gifts, maybe its teaching, or giving, or singing, or writing. He has shown us how to be right in his sight, by using our own individuality for His Glory.

Preparation

This week I had a precal test on Tuesday, and me being me, I did not study for the test and as a result I failed the test. This morning I forgot to set my alarm and had to rush out the door with out a shower, and as a result, I looked like a train had smacked me in the face. I taught Sunday School for the middle school boys last week and it turned out alright at the best. One thing that could have made all of these events better is preparation - if I would have prepared they would have turned out better. I might have passed that precal test. I wouldnt have looked so terrible today, and my lesson would have been the best it could have been. So how do we as Christians prepare for our daily temptations? Ephesians 6:11 says:

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

For those who are not completely familiar with the armor of God, it includes the belt of truth, breast plate of righteousness, shoes of peace and good news, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. If we put on this armor and use it to our advantage, no plot or attempt made by the devil can stop us. It goes on to say in verse 16 to pray and stay alert at all times. Our preparation for the temptations we face on a daily basis is right there. When we wake up in the mornings we put on the armor of God and we let God fight our battles for us.

Joy

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die
Do not let my enemies gloat, saying,
'We have defeated him!
Do not let them rejoice at my downfall.'"
-Psalm 13:3-4

Whenever we as humans screw up, it always revolves around one thing, earthly possessions sights or sounds. These are all temporary they give us pleasure for five to ten minutes, or maybe an hour or two, but they emotional high eventually dies down. This Psalm was written by David after he took Bathsheba as his wife and killed off Uriah. He was in a desperate situation in which he had screwed up in a major way, that temporary emotional high had died down and David was left completely empty inside. The thing in this verse that catches my attention is the part that says "Restore the sparkle to my eyes." This shows Davids to me how David constantly found happiness in the Lord. So even though we do stupid things we need to follow Davids lead and have the Lord "restore the sparkle to our eyes."