Todays IBS is Philippians 3:8 "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ."
         There have been things in my life that I would not put down or get rid of for Jesus. Some of which I had no idea that I was unwilling to let go of. I even had things in my life that I put higher than God without even knowing. Now however, through God's mercy, I know what I have had higher and was unwilling to let go of. God graciously showed me what I was doing wrong and what I needed to change. Now I am not hindered by such things and can come to God freely and with thanks giving. Before, it was like I was a child coming to my Father with toys in my hands and not actually listening to what He wanted to tell me. I was too distracted by the toys to even pay Him any mind. He gently, put His hands on the toys and took them away. Now I can hear Him and know what He wants me to do. He mercifully gave the toys back but, told me to listen when He speaks. I will now hold Him higher than all that I have and I realize that all I have doesn't matter anyway. They will pass away, yet He will remain forever. I will continue to listen to whatever God wants to say to me, and not let my "toys" get in the way.
         Praise be to God for His mercy and grace.