Eph 5:11 (EMTV) And have no partnership with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
I just discovered I have been on per diem assignment in my present job. Apparently, I was “stationed” at my daily post waiting, in readiness to be maneuvered into place for my real appointment: exposing a grave wrongdoing at work.
Psalm 86:11 (GNB) Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully; teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
Sometimes I take my Christian walk to extremes. I get notions about what a “Good Christian” would do that have no connection to the reality of God’s will for my life. Then, I act on these mistaken ideas, believing that I am becoming more holy by doing so.
Rom 8:1 (MKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
One of the Holy Spirit’s tasks is to convict me of sin (to point out, make aware, cause to realize the truth of) so I might repent and sin no more. But, once the consciousness of my “wrongdoing” permeates my awareness, I sometimes have a difficult time forgiving myself. I don’t need the “adversary” to accuse me for my mistakes; I do a thorough job of condemning myself.
Phi 4:6 (ESV) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Sometimes sleep appears to be the key that unlocks my emotional Pandora’s box. In the morning, instead of feeling rested when the alarm chimes I’m tired. It’s as if relaxation causes the hasp on the lid to loosen and swing open, releasing all the forebodings that were locked away.
Eph 1:14: (GNB) The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised his people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to thos ewho are his. Let us praise his glory!
The following devotional is brought to you by Charles Spurgeon:
Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says,
Matthew 11:28-30 (GNB) 28 Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. 30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I put on you is light.
While reprimanding a student for her inappropriate behavior, I suddenly look down and notice my favorite lounging slippers on my feet, the ones with the hole worn through the right-toe area, and the tattered heel rests…
I was sitting in a calm, flower filled meadow on a cloudless day and suddenly was overcome by hurricane force winds, and utter chaos. Or, at least, that’s how it felt on Wednesday, when the students returned from summer break. Continue reading ‘JOHN 15:2′
