Posted:
Based on “Under HIS Influence-The Overflowing Lifestyle”
by Pastor Mark Balmer;
by Pastor Mark Balmer;
9/5-6/09, Message #MB388;
Daily Devotional #6 -
“Living by the Spirit”
Daily Devotional #6 -
“Living by the Spirit”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction):
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Galatians 5:16-17)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Galatians 5:16-17)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Living by the Spirit is much easier said than done!
Walking contrary to the nature of our flesh is no easy matter. Like every other human being, we like the way our flesh feels when it gets its way. We want everyone to like us, and we don’t like making waves.
Walking contrary to the nature of our flesh is no easy matter. Like every other human being, we like the way our flesh feels when it gets its way. We want everyone to like us, and we don’t like making waves.
No one told us on the day we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord that Christianity would be difficult and that we would have to be different from the world.
Yet somewhere between “the milk” and “the meat,” we have to decide if our Christianity is a convenience or a commitment. So often the Father tests our resolve by placing situations into our lives that force us to choose between our flesh and His Spirit.
I faced such a dilemma a few months ago.
Yet somewhere between “the milk” and “the meat,” we have to decide if our Christianity is a convenience or a commitment. So often the Father tests our resolve by placing situations into our lives that force us to choose between our flesh and His Spirit.
I faced such a dilemma a few months ago.
After a long discussion with the Lord, we decided I had a trust issue.
I learned that I needed to trust Him more than my feelings and vain imaginations!
Thankfully, like me, we are all still learning and growing. Each of us, no matter how long we have walked with God, continues to grow in Christ. Even Paul, the writer of most of the New Testament, said that he was continuously fighting his flesh (Romans 7:21-23). Our flesh will always war with our Spirit, and sometimes we will fail to overcome, but God is faithful to forgive and restore.
It’s those victorious moments of obedience that inspire us to continue to pursue the Kingdom. Sure, people may call us names and laugh at us, but nothing compares to the applause of God! No words in our vocabulary can express the joy that comes with pleasing the Father.
It’s those victorious moments of obedience that inspire us to continue to pursue the Kingdom. Sure, people may call us names and laugh at us, but nothing compares to the applause of God! No words in our vocabulary can express the joy that comes with pleasing the Father.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response):
If we can manage to prioritize our relationships with Him, and trust His Word over the desires of our flesh, then obedience follows. When we bless those that curse us, do good to them that intend to do us evil, and pray for those that hate us, we stay within God’s “safety zone” of peace. But if we follow our soul into anger, unforgiveness, hatred, and distrust, then disaster awaits.
If we can manage to prioritize our relationships with Him, and trust His Word over the desires of our flesh, then obedience follows. When we bless those that curse us, do good to them that intend to do us evil, and pray for those that hate us, we stay within God’s “safety zone” of peace. But if we follow our soul into anger, unforgiveness, hatred, and distrust, then disaster awaits.
Remember, the only road to victory is the path of loving obedience.
So let us resolve to take hold of Jesus today and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, embrace His character of honor, integrity, and love. And just like our brother Paul we will proclaim,
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
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