Where are you living?

Galatians 5: 16

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

 

There are people in the church, that would swear that they are living by the spirit.

Once you look at the fruit they produce however, there may be a different kind of indicator.

 

Paul tells us in this chapter, what the fruits of the spirit are.

He also tells us what the fruits of the spirit are not.

 

Take a close look at these words that indicate what is contrary to the spirit;

sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies

 

Now take a look at the list that is promised to the one’s, who live in the spirit;

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

 

Where would you say you live these days?

We can’t live in both worlds—at least that’s what Paul seems to indicate.

 

People who live in Christ, have gotten rid of the areas from the first list.

Those who live in another place, are actually producing something else…

It is finished!

John 19: 30

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished" With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

 

Do you hate falling into the same old sin habit?

Do you still grieve over a nasty habit that still controls your life?

Do you ever feel helpless and weak and despondent, in the face of temptation?

If you have answered yes to any or all of these three questions, well let me just say this—there is really good news for you today.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ has provided absolute freedom for us.

He has made available to us, not only a pardon from grievous sin, but freedom from the bondage of it too.

 

True transformation—renewed hope—and lasting peace can be yours right now.

Just focus on those three powerful words, found in today’s verse.

What are you waiting for? Read them again!

 

There is no reason at all, to allow the devil to have a field day.

IT IS FINISHED!

Do you believe that?

 

If not, maybe it’s time you start to…

Where is your dwelling place?

Psalm 91: 1

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 

What do you do, when you consider the craziness of this crazy world?

Do you get all hyped up with anxiety, or do you on the other hand, rest in the shadow of the Almighty?

 

When people face problems of epic proportions, usually they don’t rest.

Usually people obsess, instead of finding rest.

 

How can we really rest, when crisis is knocking at the front door?

I guess it really comes down to, the place where we’d rather dwell.

 

Is it possible to become preoccupied with trusting/resting in the sure provision of the Lord God?

I’ll bet we’d find more rest, if we let God handle our problems, as opposed to the world handling them.

 

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion, that we’d find more rest in God Almighty, than we would in Oprah Winfrey.

God actually wants us to hang on to the truths of His Word, rather than believing the lies the worlds tells to us.

 

Dwell in His shelter today, and I’ll be willing to bet, you’ll find rest.

Maybe it’s the rest you been wanting/desiring for an awfully long time—but maybe you’ve just been looking in all the wrong places…

There is Hope!

Romans 5: 5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 

There are a number of Bible verses, that refer to hope.

Psalm 71: 5—Psalm 25: 3—Hebrews 6: 19—Psalm 39: 7—Psalm 38: 15

 

Some Christians have some major doubts, especially when they face overwhelming situations.

Some of those situations are beyond our ability to cope.

 

There are times when we find ourselves unable to trust in anything or anyone.

Maybe try looking up these verses, and there’s a chance that you’ll find that they will keep you from falling while enduring some difficult times.

 

Hope in Christ should never disappoint us.

Situations apart from God, will always disappoint us.

 

Maybe as you start this new week, remember that God has poured out His very love, into our hearts.

Just with that knowing, we should never be disappointed again…

Be willing to fight!

Ephesians 6: 10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

 

I remember as a kid, when I began to learn more about the game of football.

I saw a guy field a punt one Sunday, but before he did so, he made the sign of the cross.

I asked my older brother, if he thought that helped, and his reply was… “Only if he can catch the ball—If he can’t catch, it won’t help”

 

God in the Bible, gives us a specific picture of the life of a believer in Christ.

He calls it a war—a race and a fight.

 

God is clear, that He has an integral part in the midst of the battle, but so do we.

Are you in a spiritual battle today? If not, just wait around for a few minutes, and see what happens.

 

We can pray all we want, but if we’re not willing to engage the enemy, all the signs of the crosses and prayer won’t help, if you we’re not willing to fight.

Yes, we should depend on God’s strength for sure, but we shouldn’t expect Him to do all the work.

 

After verse 10, there is an action verse, required of every believer. Are you doing what it says? If not, then put it on!

Just remember this…God supplies all the resources we will ever need in the heat of the fight—but we must supply the effort…

What do you believe in?

2 Timothy 1: 12

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Paul was in the midst of suffering, and yet he didn’t take his focus off of what was truly important.

Suffering sometimes, can take our eyes off of what’s meaningful, but not so for Paul.

The reason that was, was because he knew full well whom he believed in.

Paul was looking forward to the day, when all that he had entrusted to Christ, would be revealed on that glorious day.

There sure does seem to be a lot of suffering going on in the world.

It’s also pretty easy to take our focus off of what’s the most important thing, when suffering happens to us.

Do you know whom you believe in?

A day is coming soon, when we’re going to have to make a choice related to what/whom we believe in.

When the IRS pulls the 501C3 exempt status from churches, will what you believe in, stand up?

When we can no longer take deductions on our income tax filing, will we still believe in the One whom we testify to?

Or will we on the other hand, consider that grave suffering?

Nothing else mattered to Paul, except what he did for Jesus.

Jesus has been around from everlasting, to everlasting.

That sure sounds like a good plan, especially when things seem to be so fickle these days… 

Overindulge!

2 Peter 1: 5 – 6

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness…

 

Would you say that you’re adding to your faith?

I think if we would be honest for just a second, we’d agree that we add a an awful lot of things, to our personal life experiences.

 

Let’s face it…

We live in the day of Golden Corral—shopping malls—“have it your way” and indulgences of anything we can think of.

We really do live in the land of excess.

We don’t hesitate adding anything at all, to what we already have.

 

Can you begin to imagine, what might happen to the church and to its people,  if we added the knowledge of God, to the knowledge we already have?

Godliness might just be the final result!

 

God does not hold back on His many promises.

If you plan to overindulge on anything this week, why not try an oversupply supply of Jesus.

 

In  a culture that is seeing an expanding view of gluttony, drunkenness, drug abuse and shopaholics, maybe a little more God, might be really what we need….