ByGrace

We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves.  The idea is to live all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God.  That is what the Christian life is all about. R. C. Sproul So many times we pick and choose the areas in our lives that we'll give to God. Maybe He is in control of your homemaking, your homeschooling, and your marriage, but you save your entertainment for yourself. Or your music. Or your clothing choices. What if your child came to you and said, "Mom, when I need new clothes, you're in charge. When I'm hungry, you're the cook. When I need help with my homework, you're the smartest mom out there. But when I want to stay up late, you have no business telling me to go to bed. When I read a magazine, you can't tell me what to read. And when I like someone, you have no call to limit my friendships!"

Several years ago, my husband preached a series of messages on the Science of the Christian Life . One of those sermons was about having a good conscience. What better way to start a new year than with a good conscience, don't you think?! First, the Bible tells us there are several conditions of the conscience: an evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22)  defiled (Titus 1:15) seared (I Timothy 4:1,2) weak and defiled (I Corinthians 8:7)  weak (I Corinthians 8:12)  In order to have a good conscience, we must do several things: 1. Have a pure mind - Titus 1:15, Philippians 4:8 2. Love - I Timothy 1:5 - learn to love others where they are 3. Fight - I Timothy 1:18,19 - fight the world and the flesh 4. Serve - Acts 24:16 - exercise your conscience - focus on serving 5. Be honest - Hebrews 13:18 - honest with ourselves and others in all situations 6. Share the Gospel - I Peter 3:15 - share the hope that is in you 7. Endure persecution - I Peter 2:19 - endure wrong patiently 8