> Restarting > > Have you ever had a problem with your computer? I > have. Often, very simple problems can become major > problems. In my work as a part-time technical support rep > for my local Internet service provider, I've learned to deal > with lots of computer problems. I told someone the other > day that I've gotten ten years of experience on computers > in six months by helping others troubleshoot. When > someone is having trouble connecting to the Internet, one > of the first things we normally do is have them restart their > computer. Yes, that simple act can cure a wealth of > problems. > > Most people don't realize that when you open a > program, the computer reserves a certain amount of > memory for that piece of software to operate. Even when > you close the program, the computer will sometimes > continue to reserve that segment of memory, refusing to > release it for other programs to use. As you open and close > more programs, the computer reserves sections of memory > for them to operate. Eventually, there isn't enough memory > left free for other software that operates your modem to > function properly. That, in turn, can keep you from getting > on the Internet. > > Our lives are that way. When we sometimes allow sin > in our lives it takes up space in our heart and mind and it > reserves time in our lives that we could be using in a more > productive way. As more time gets reserved, it is no longer > available for more productive uses such as allowing our > Creator a greater place in our lives. As one of my friends is > fond of saying, "Sin takes you places you don't want to do, > keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs more > than you want to pay." Jesus provides us with an example > of correcting this problem. In Matthew, he practiced the > principle of Purity, Prayer, and Power. He went into the > temple and drove out the moneychangers, thus purifying > God's temple. He then cited the need for prayer, to repair > the damage. Those two were then followed by God's power > being released within the temple and the people around > Jesus. > > The same applies in our lives. When you restart a > computer, the memory is released to be used in other ways. > When you restart your life following God's Biblical plan > of grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, you are > freed from the bondage of sin. Your life is released to be > used by God and you in other more productive ways. Why > not hit the restart button right now? Ask God to allow the > purity of Jesus to flood your life, pray for His direction in > all that you do, and watch the power of God be released > into your life. > > O * O *O * O O * * O <º)(((((~((((((>>>< * <º)((((~((((>< missi