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 Psalm 109:4 But I give myself unto prayer.Lying tongues were busy against the reputation of David, but he did not defend himself; he moved the case into a higher court, and pleaded before the great King himself. Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of hatred. The Psalmist prayed in no cold-hearted manner, he gave himself to the exercise--threw his whole soul and heart into it--straining every sinew and muscle, as Jacob did when wrestling with the angel. Thus, and thus only, shall any of us speed at the throne of grace. As a shadow has no power because there is no substance in it, even so that supplication, in which a man's proper self is not thoroughly present in agonizing earnestness and vehement desire, is utterly ineffectual, for it lacks that which would give it force. "Fervent prayer," says an old divine, "like a cannon planted at the gates of heaven, makes them fly open." The common fault with the most of us is our readiness to yield to distractions. Our thoughts go roving hither and thither, and we make little progress towards our desired end. Like quicksilver our mind will not hold together, but rolls off this way and that. How great an evil this is! It injures us, and what is worse, it insults our God. What should we think of a petitioner, if, while having an audience with a prince, he should be playing with a feather or catching a fly? Continuance and perseverance are intended in the expression of our text. David did not cry once, and then relapse into silence; his holy clamour was continued till it brought down the blessing. Prayer must not be our chance work, but our daily business, our habit and vocation. As artists give themselves to their models, and poets to their classical pursuits, so must we addict ourselves to prayer. We must be immersed in prayer as in our element, and so pray without ceasing. Lord, teach us so to pray that we may be more and more prevalent in supplication. Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once. Matthew 9:28,29 When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." • Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith." Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Colossians 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 2 Corinthians 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 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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