Good Morning Girls!  Last Sunday Pastor Mac preached about Gods grace; the undeserved, unearned, unmerited favor God bestows on us who believe.  He also talked about some things that hinder our ability to receive Gods grace.  Now, it doesn't hinder us as in God quits giving it.  NO, it hinders us in that we are unable to receive it.  We are unable for different reasons.  Maybe we are too busy trying to work things out on our own to receive help from God.  Maybe we are sick of waiting patiently and confidently and have started doubting the Lords presence in our life.  Or maybe we are too busy with our own evil tendencies.
When people hear the word evil they often picture some dark force, black magic, or demon.   These definitions are true, but I looked up the word evil in Websters, and it also defines evil as this: that which causes harm, misfortune, injury, pain, or destruction.  I would like to further define evil as: anything that takes you away from the person you desire to be, and more importantly, evil is anything that takes you away from the Lord.
We all have some evil tendencies in our lives.  You know, an evil tendency is simply a bad habit.  Somehow a bad habit sounds better than saying "evil tendency".  But maybe it's time we start seeing these little bad habits for what they are.  They are harmful, painful, destructive, vices and behaviors that take us away from God.  They keep us away from our goals, from the women we desire to be.
I have evil tendencies.  The one that most recently re surfaced in my life was my tendency to over eat- especially as a form of comfort seeking.  When I hit my low point a couple of weeks ago, I turned to food.  I turned to food in a way I haven't for years.  For weeks I ate anything and everything I saw.  I did this all as I am leading a healthy living and weight loss support group!  I would have a few good days and then a few binge days.  I was out of control, angry, depressed, and frustrated.  I thought I had conquered this evil tendency once and for all.  But it soon became clear to me.  Just like alcohol, smoking, and gambling, my food addiction would always be waiting in the wings, ready to "help me out" if I needed a quick escape or feel good moment.........
It didn't take long for this evil to betray me as they always do.  I was in emotional and physical pain.  I was also on the path of destruction.  I knew that if I continued I would end up right back where I started a year ago.  In fact, I know I gained a couple of pounds back.  I don't know how much because I refuse to get on the scale, knowing that that would cause an emotional tailspin of it's own.  Besides, my weight isn't the issue.  The overeating is.  Now that I have returned to the lifestyle the Lord had shown me last fall, I will return to the weight I am supposed to be at. 
So Girls, if any of you have an evil tendency you've been trying to get rid of, join me in the fight!  It doesn't have to be food related.  Maybe you have some anger you need to get under control.  Maybe you need to control some spending.  Or perhaps you need to work on your marriage or family life.  Ask the Lord to show you any evil tendencies you have that are keeping you away from being the woman He created you to be.  Once you identify it, ask the Lord to help you turn away from it and bring you closer to Him!
We will be continue this topic tomorrow......

Proverbs 13:19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them

Love you all (even with your tendencies)
Jen