Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today's scriptures are about our Spiritual war against the flesh. My word for this year is Focus. I chose that word because it's impossible to accomplish anything in life without it. As long as we're living in the flesh, we're going to struggle to make the right choices. As a "baby Spirit", that struggle is very hard, and often times our flesh will win the battles, but once we consistently focus on God, we'll notice a lot of changes. What most Christians don't understand is that we're not responsible for growing our Spirit, God is. We are responsible for keeping our minds and Spirit focused on the things from above. As long as we do that, God will give us the wisdom to grow to in our Spiritual journey. Paul teaches us that once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior we should change our worldly conduct. We're to stay focused and "no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind" (Eph. 4:17). He also goes on to say: if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:21-24) We are responsible for turning away from our old ways, but God gives us every tool required to do that. Jesus left His Holy Spirit with us when He ascended into Heaven, to sit at the right hand of the Father. As soon as accept Him as Lord and Savior we're baptized with the Holy Spirit, so He lives inside of every believer. However, we still aren’t exempt from temptations of flesh, because the enemy wants to destroy any relationship we have with God. This is why it's so important to stay focused on the ways and teachings of Christ, because we can't, and aren't expected to, fight this battle alone. This is the perfect message for this time of year, because we've all made New Year Resolutions. You’ve vowed to change your sinful ways, and swear off drinking, smoking, gluttony, lying, fornication, cursing, or whatever your vices may be. How many of you have said, "I'm going to get my life right this year, start going to church, and change my ways"? That's a wonderful attitude to have, but most people who make that promise, without focus, end of failing at that transformation, because they tried to do it all on their own. It doesn't work that way, growth starts with wisdom, and wisdom comes from God, through Jesus Christ. Being a Christian isn’t just belonging to a church, volunteering your time, or donating money in times of crisis, although that's a part of it. Being a follower of Christ is a lifestyle. It means that from the time you wake up in the morning, to the time you go to bed at night, your focus is on God. When you awake, the first person on your mind is Jesus, and you immediately thank Him for another day. Before getting dressed, read a scripture and pray for a good day, safe drive to work, etc. Every decision you make throughout the day should be determined upon if it glorifies God. You should constantly thank Him for your victories, big and small, and pray for strength through your defeats. When you get home at night, study His word, and pray and meditate before going off to sleep. As we're going through our day we will be tested and tempted. People will provoke us, we'll fight feelings of lust, anger, greed, etc, but if we stay focused on God, we'll breeze past those things, without so much as a scratch. If you do slip and fall, confess and repent, and God will pull you right back up. Feel your heart with the fruits of the Spirit, because true peace, joy, and happiness lays in the Son of God, who dwells inside of anyone who asks, and receives Him. If you don't know Him, then I suggest you say that prayer right now, because witnessing the present state of this earth, I don't use the phrase "tomorrow isn't promised" loosely. I'll be more than happy to pray with you, just call or e-mail me anytime day or night. My favorite verse today is: The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455212&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!