Bible League: Living His Word The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.— John 6:63 NIV There is the way of the Holy Spirit and there is the way of the flesh. There is the way empowered by the Holy Spirit working inside every Christian, and there is the way empowered by the sinful nature aided and abetted by the devil. These two spiritual forces are at war with one another. "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other..." (Galatians 5:17). Every Christian must make choices in this battle. They must choose between the Spirit and their own flesh. Will they deny their selfish desires and ambitions to follow the lead of the Spirit, or will they give in to them? The flesh hates what the Spirit is trying to accomplish. It hates to surrender what it wants and let the Spirit take the lead. That's why the flesh had to be killed in the first place. It had to be spiritually crucified with Christ by believing in Him and what He has done. (Galatians 2:20). Making choices in the battle has consequences. According to our verse for today, if you choose the side of the Spirit, it leads to life. Instead of heading downward toward destruction, you will have a life that heads upward towards the heights of joy and restoration. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit. He leads people to a life that is good. Although there may be trials, troubles, and persecutions along the way, the end result will be victory in this life and in the life to come. If, on the other hand, you choose in favor of your flesh, it counts for nothing. You may get what you want, have it your way, but it won't add up to anything worthwhile or significant. Paul explains in his first letter to the Corinthians that all the "building materials" we use in this life will be tested by fire at the end. Have you built with gold and silver or with wood and stubble and hay? (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). The world may think it's impressive, but it won't mean anything in the end. Choose the path of life. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingGenesis 36, 37 Genesis 36 -- Descendants of Esau; Kings of Edom NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Genesis 37 -- Joseph's Dreams and Betrayal by His Brothers NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 12:1-21 Matthew 12 -- The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath; By Their Fruit; Sign of Jonah; Who are my Mother and Brothers? NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.Insight Often we ask, “What does God expect from me?” Here Moses gives a summary that is simple in form and easy to remember. Here are the essentials: (1) Fear God; (2) Live in a way that pleases him; (3) Love him; (4) Serve him with all your heart and soul; and (5) Obey his commands. Too often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. Challenge Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on his real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, serve, and obey. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Samuel 7:25 Do as thou hast said.God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; he intended that they should be used. God's gold is not miser's money, but is minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see his promises put in circulation; he loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say, "Lord, do as thou hast said." We glorify God when we plead his promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches he has promised? Do you dream that he will be any the less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine he will be any the less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Faith lays hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not delay, saying, "This is a precious promise, I wonder if it be true?" but it goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, "Lord, here is the promise, Do as thou hast said.'" Our Lord replies, "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt." When a Christian grasps a promise, if he does not take it to God, he dishonors him; but when he hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, "Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this, Thou hast said it;'" then his desire shall be granted. Our heavenly Banker delights to cash his own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word of promise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding him of his promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is his delight to bestow favors. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor the fountain of flowing. It is God's nature to keep his promises; therefore go at once to the throne with "Do as thou hast said." Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 119:25 My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.Colossians 3:1-3 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. • Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. • For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Philippians 3:20,21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; • who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Romans 8:12,13 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- • for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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