what happens in vegas doesn't disappear forever.

i know it's been a long time. much too long. but guess what? finals are over, i'm enjoying spring break... and i am officially 21! my parents took my boyfriend and i to las vegas for a couple of days and we enjoyed a more than memorable weekend away!

yet, being in "sin city" made me think even more about the God that i am so blessed to worship. there is something about las vegas that seems like you are in another country, that a place like vegas couldn't possibly be a part of america. from the little "nudey" baseball cards to the exorbitant amount of dollars pumped into slot machines, there is so much room for trouble and temptation.

visitors to las vegas seem to flock there just to be a part of the mischief in order to escape the cares of their reality. do we, as christians, have a "sin city" where we go to find trouble and escape the cares of the spiritual world that rules over our lives?

Jesus, too, has been led to places of temptation where the devil has had Him in a position where the opportunity to sin is abounding.

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil." -Matthew 4:1

the problem with this "sin city" is that someone is always watching. just like in las vegas someone -whether it be the pit boss, passersby, or a friend- is always watching. for christians, we have accountability to our brothers and sisters in Christ, to our family and friends, and most importantly, to Him.

we need to turn to God and ask Him to remind us that the spirit is dwelling within us, and that He is watching over every move, every decision that we make whether in times of temptation or not. the psalmist makes this clear in asking God to watch over the stream of his mind and the beatings of his heart.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." -Psalms 139:23-24

find refuge in Him. find your hideaway from the cares of the world and the ways of religiousness in Him. He is full of freedom and grace, but we need to break free from the controlling thoughts and rituals of religion.

song of the day:
"signature of the divine (yahweh)" - needtobreathe

we need to remember His mark that is upon us and be sure to bring honor to His name. why? because people are watching and there is no pass home free card.