For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Ephesians 5:8 (NLT) We weren’t created to live defeated, monotonous lives. We were designed to walk in love, joy, peace, and every fruit of the Spirit! Although trials will threaten to steal our joy and peace, we have been given the power to resist the enemy and keep expressing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Let’s say you’re excited to meet up with friends, but they show up looking emotionless and bored. One of two things happen: either they catch your level of joy, or their emotional state transfers onto you. But you have a choice: you can refuse to live outside …
Rooted In Love
And He, when He comes, will convict the world about (the guilt of) sin (and the need for a Saviour), and about righteousness and about judgment; about sin…because they do not believe in Me. John 16:8 (AMP) God’s love is described as agape love, which is unconditional, sacrificial, pure love in its highest form. Agape love doesn’t point out faults. Many think it’s Holy Spirit’s job to point out our mistakes, but that’s not true. Todays’ verse doesn’t say that He points out the faults of the world. It says that He will convict the world of sin. Now, He’s not convicting the world of all its sins, but of the sin nature we are trapped in if we don’t believe in Jesus. Once we …
Fix Your Focus
How can you think of saying to your friend, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:4 (NLT) There are many things in our life we’ll never control or change. One of those things is people! We’re married to imperfect people. Our kids, parents and co-workers are imperfect too. The truth is, even when we think we know better, we don’t have the power to change any of them! In life, we have a choice. We can live totally stressed out and ticked off by the people around us. Or, we can recognize that we can’t change or control anyone. In fact, the more we try, the further …
Sorcery And Witchcraft
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are…sorcery, hatred, jealousies…. Galatians 5:19 (NKJV) When reading today’s verse, you might think of sorcery as casting spells, but let’s look at it another way. Its purpose is to try to dominate the will of another person. Most people aren’t interested in casting spells or seeking the help of spirits, but many of us would have to admit we’ve tried to control or manipulate people for our own gain. When we become oppressive and manipulative, whether it’s with our kids, spouse, or friends, we unknowingly move into enemy territory as we try to control the people around us. We move away from Christ-likeness, because Jesus refused to dominate anyone. He loved, accepted and honoured people, but …
Living According To The Spirit
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 (NKJV) When we live according to our flesh we become self-focused, and it’s not pretty! Galatians 5:19–20 lists the works of the flesh and what it looks like for those who don’t do the work of renewing their minds or transforming their hearts. It says it makes us hateful, jealous, angry and selfish, we cause trouble everywhere we go, bringing strife and rivalry, and moving into sorcery and witchcraft. Many believers struggling with some of these issues wonder, “Am I still a Christian?” The truth is, even if we lose focus and become …