MY DECLARATION AND PRAYER REQUEST

As I read some of the statements of the great reformers like Calvin and Luther, and men like Spurgeon, I am encouraged, that despite the revelations they received they still honestly declared their inadequacies. I have written many times in my blogs, we do not have a single excuse and yet we fail the Lord so often.
I guess I am an idealist, yet get so discouraged when I do not reach the standards I believe the Word of God tells me I can reach. Sadly my idealism can make me judgemental of others too.
If you asked me this morning “WHAT IS MY NO.1 PRIORITY? I believe I can honestly say, I want to be more like Jesus, so people can see Jesus in me. Yet I fail so often, I can be lazy, undisciplined, and at 77+I sure get physically tired these days (but these are excuses) that have been completely dealt with through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You may ask me why am I writing this way today? I met a Pastor this week (with a past student) and at the end of our 2 hour conversation, he volunteered that he was blest by some of the Godly qualities in me!!!!!!!!! I phoned a Pastor friend yesterday (for a brief catch up) who had been an Interim Pastor at our local church, and he concluded our discussion with the same language. Please believe me when I say I was utterly humbled by their words, I could not feel proud, because I am constantly aware of the depravity and deceitfulness of my heart, (Jer. 17:9) and sincerely get frustrated by my many failures.
I am beginning to understand what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The AMP says But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
I have quoted this verse numerous times, and I am more aware than ever THAT MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS ME.
I thank God for His work of grace in me, and He is sure working in my life, (and others can see it), but would you pray for me.

I WANT TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS EVERY DAY.