Dog bones and holiness

How do you take a bone away from a hungry dog? Very carefully! But, you could make the task so much easier (and safer) if you simply put a piece of meat near the bone. The dog will gladly drop the bone because it desires the meat more.

This is a simple principle that applies to hungry dogs as well as humans on a trek for happiness and inner peace.

All too often, with a desire to satisfy that deep longing in our hearts, we go for the dry bone of sin. Whatever form of sin we personally crave, it just doesn't ultimately deliver. Yet, if someone confronts us and tells us we need to give it up, we may attack. "How dare you judge me! You have no right to do that. After all, you're a sinner, too!" We like that dry bone and we aren't giving it up!

Try to take the bone away and you could have a fight on your hands. How can this be accomplished so much easier (and safer)? Simply show that there is something better. Put a piece of meat beside the dry bone.

When we realize that God has saved us not simply to keep us out of Hell but to enjoy Him, and when we experience that powerful truth, our mouths will lose their taste for sin. When we realize that following Jesus not only satisfies that deep down longing in our souls but also guarantees us unbroken fellowship with Him in Heaven, sin will lose its grip on us because we realize that He satisfies us more.

Hebrews 11:25-26 (New Living Translation)
"He (Moses) chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward."

Have you "tasted and seen that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8)? If/when you do, you will struggle with sin less because you desire Him more!

Adrian Rogers on "Keeping Pace"

I would not give anything for the time I spent at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis under the preaching ministry and leadership of Adrian Rogers. Few men have led so well and maintained such a high degree of integrity and exuded such a love for the Lord as him.

In fact, I loved this man and so respected his ministry that I chose a spot out on the front lawn of Bellevue to drop to my knee in December 1996 to ask my wife to marry me.

As I was going through some of my personal notes, I came across something I had jotted down titled "Keeping Pace" by Adrian Rogers. It was his concise word on how to present ourselves well as followers of Jesus spiritually, personally, and socially.

I'm certain that you will find this beneficial:

Keeping P-A-C-E Spiritually
P raise	I praise You that You’ve given Yourself to me.
A cceptance	I accept that You’ve given Yourself to me.
C ontrol	I place myself under Your control that You might live Your life through me.
E xpectation	I expect that it’s going to be a great day as I live my life with You.

Keeping P-A-C-E Personally
P osture	I need to stand straight.
A ttitude	I need to be positive.
C ountenance	I need to look pleasant.
E nthusiasm	I need to project vitality.

Keeping P-A-C-E Socially
P raise	Find something to compliment.
A cceptance	Greet with enthusiasm.
C oncern	Ask about their situation.
E ncouragement	Leave them with a blessing.