Based on “Under HIS Influence-The Overflowing Lifestyle” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
9/5-6/09, Message #MB388; 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)
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. 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. 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.
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. 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)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Ephesians 5:18-21
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.