Tag: jesus

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:15‬

Paul knew he was a sinner. He knew he was fighting evil forces that were guided and directed by Satan. He also knew that he needed a Savior to free him from the captivity of sin.

Even though Paul was redeemed by the blood of Christ he still committed sin against his desire.  The battle with sin is real.  Sin can take you to places where you really don’t want to go.  The flesh is weak.

When you read Romans 7:15-17 it sounds like Paul was confused but he wasn’t.  He is simply describing he nature of the flesh versus the spirit.  Paul desires to do good but finds himself falling into the traps of sin because the flesh is weak.  

When we try live life on our own strength we will fail.  However when we rely on the power of God we will succeed.  This is truly amazing when we grasp the truth of this matter.  

God wants and desires to control our every thought and action by His Spirit.  The problem lies in the fact that we sometimes do not allow the Holy Spirit to helps us overcome evil.  We should be driven by the Spirit of God to such a point that we can easily say no to sin.

Think about what controls your mind and captivates your interests.  Is it the things of God or the things of this world?  Stop right now and consider your life and ponder who is in control, you or the Lord?

Pray

Lord, forgive me of my sin and give me the power to overcome every evil thing that captivates me. Give me strength and wisdom to know what I need to do and what is right. I trust you to control my life.

“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
John 6:27

After feeding the five thousand men and their families, Jesus went up onto a mountain to pray. Meanwhile the disciples got into the boat and started across the lake. Little did they know that Jesus would come to them walking on the water.

Just as Jesus got into the boat they reached the other side. There they met a crowd of people seeking Him and asking when and how He got there. Of course, Jesus didn’t answer them.

His answer could have been, “I walked over the sea through the night, met with My disciples and miraculously landed the boat on the shore.” Instead He told the crowd why they came seeking Him. He told them they were seeking Him for more free food.

Those who went a great distance to find Jesus received some words of wisdom. Jesus made a contrast between material things and spiritual things. He enlightened them on the fact that they were more interested in earthly things than heavenly things.

Jesus desires for us to be spiritually minded rather than carnally minded. He encourages us to seek after spiritual things that will not rust and moth cannot destroy. What is your heart chasing after?

Are you more interested in finding financial freedom than spiritual fulfillment? Are you more intrigued with free food rather than eternal life? Jesus knows the heart!

Pray

Lord, clear my mind of earthly things and cleanse my heart of earthly ways. I desire to seek after You for the eternal things and not material blessings. Give me a heart that is like Yours.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭

Meekness is not defined as being weak or timid. Meekness is actually strength under control.  It takes a strong and patient person to remain meek and gentle.

Moses was considered as one of the meekest according to Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” (Numbers‬ ‭12:3‬)  Moses had strength and self-control.

Meekness is demonstrated through humility, patience and discipline. Sometimes when we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit we may say or do something that later we regret. Meekness is a characteristic of God that needs to be learned and practiced in every Believer.

Jesus was meek and gentle.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  We can learn from Jesus as He was the perfect example of meekness for all to see.

We can learn to be meek by recognizing our sinfulness, submitting to Jesus, and saturating our minds in the Word of God. Only when we become more like Jesus can we be meek and gentle. It takes a lot of work but you can do it.

Pray

Lord, I love You and trust You to instruct me in all my ways. Strengthen me to be meek and gentle yet bold and courageous. Help me to be like You.