But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). Galatians 5:16 (AMPC) When my son turned about ten, he started growing like crazy. Sometimes I wondered if he woke up a quarter inch taller every morning. It seemed like he needed new shoes and jeans monthly! Every time he’d grow out of something we’d think, “What is this kid doing?” Of course, he wasn’t “doing” anything! He didn’t have to “try” to become a man. He’s all male. He was born that way! As he was growing, he was at peace. He didn’t have to work …
Believe To Benefit
Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:6–7 (NKJV) When someone is crucified, they die, right? Well, today’s verses say that your old nature was crucified with Jesus. Before you gave your life to Christ, you had the nature of sin within you because Adam sold out the human race to Satan. But the moment you gave your life to Christ, that old nature, which was ruled by sin, was done away with. You became a member of God’s family. Just as a lion cub has the same nature as his daddy …
As You Think…
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14 (NIV) If you think about something long enough, it will become real to you. If you keep thinking about how much you hate your job, how you hate where you live, or how little you love your spouse, you’re going to be in trouble. What begins as just a thought will become an unshakable belief, and you’ll begin to live out that belief. The same is true when it comes to thinking about things you want to change about yourself. Some believers keep thinking things like, I can’t stop lying. I’m just not a patient person. My kids just don’t like me. …
Let It Go
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 (NKJV) Sometimes we can get caught up in wanting to follow a do-nothing gospel—just enough of Jesus to give us fire insurance against going to hell. It’s true that you can give your life to Christ and keep doing whatever you were doing before, but it’s not the best way to live. The Bible teaches us that if we want the incredible life Jesus has for us, we have to follow Him in death. I know, that sounds pretty morbid and extreme. But you have to lose your old way of living. As a new creation, you need to let go of …
Focus Causes It To Grow
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3 (NKJV) If you look at an ant through a magnifying glass, it looks bigger. The magnifying glass doesn’t actually cause the ant to grow, but it looks like it did. The ant fills your view and you can see every detail. If you magnify God, it’s the same. You don’t make Him bigger by magnifying Him. But He can begin to fill your view. You can make Him a bigger part of your life. So how do you magnify God? Through your focus. What you give attention to will grow in your mind. David wanted to magnify God. He also shared how: “I will bless the Lord at all times; …