Learning Lessons

Has anyone joined me in a 40 day effort to work on some issue? If so, how is it going?

I haven't weighed, but I sure have goofed up in several other ways. I wish I could work on all issues simultaneously, and I wish that once I learned a lesson, I would never fail in that area again. Wouldn't that be great?! Unfortunately, most of us are pretty hard headed and it usually takes numerous attempts before we learn a lesson well.

I am so glad that God's love endures forever and He doesn't give up on us. I'm glad that He provided lots of examples in the Bible of people who were weak but who were used mightily anyway. I think one key is learning to surrender and knowing where our help comes from. When we try to succeed in our own power, we fail over and over again. When we surrender to God, acknowledge Him as Lord, and allow His power to work through us, we have victory. The sooner we learn that, the sooner we will see real change in our lives.

Psalm 118:
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!
The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.