Romans 8:15-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
The same God who is “Our Father who art in heaven…” is “Abba, Father”.
My mother was a school teacher. When I encounter her in the academic environment, just like all the other students, I addressed her as Mrs. Varnado. But when I would come in the house from play, I would call out, “Mama…”.
“Our Father” is creator, God of the universe, on the throne in heaven overseeing everything that happens in the world.
At the same time “Abba, Father” is ‘Daddy’. He is my Daddy and I am His child. Through His Son and my brother Jesus, I have been adopted into His family. I can crawl up into His lap and be comforted. I share in all His blessings along with all His children. Daddy doesn’t play favorites … He loves us all equally. When I need it, Daddy disciplines me … gives me a good spanking (that’s what loving father’s do). My Daddy is the medicine when I fall and hurt myself.
One day I will get to spend eternity with Him … He promised me that. He also made me a promise for today. He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Don’t I have a great Daddy.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT
Romans 8:12-14
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
The comedian, Flip Wilson, created a character named Geraldine. When Geraldine was behaving badly, as she often did, her pat response was, “The devil made me do it.” The way she said it was funny and fit well into her comedy routine. However, in real life it is no laughing matter. There is nothing funny about sin and her excuse does not hold up under the light of God’s word.
Yes, Satan is powerful, cunning and deceitful but Paul writes that we, as believers, are under “…no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” Because the Spirit of God lives in you and is more powerful than Satan’s traps, you have a great defense. You don’t have to sin. You don’t have to do what the devil tries to make you do.
Sin is a choice you make. And likewise, it is a choice you don’t have to make. No Geraldine (insert your name), you don’t have to do it.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
The comedian, Flip Wilson, created a character named Geraldine. When Geraldine was behaving badly, as she often did, her pat response was, “The devil made me do it.” The way she said it was funny and fit well into her comedy routine. However, in real life it is no laughing matter. There is nothing funny about sin and her excuse does not hold up under the light of God’s word.
Yes, Satan is powerful, cunning and deceitful but Paul writes that we, as believers, are under “…no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” Because the Spirit of God lives in you and is more powerful than Satan’s traps, you have a great defense. You don’t have to sin. You don’t have to do what the devil tries to make you do.
Sin is a choice you make. And likewise, it is a choice you don’t have to make. No Geraldine (insert your name), you don’t have to do it.
Friday, February 08, 2008
ALIVE IN ME
Romans 8:9-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
“Because I belong to Him, He is alive in me.”
This simple statement of our life status is actually a deep theological expression of Trinitarian philosophy. The triune God, -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, -- all are active in my life situation. The Father loves and provides the sacrificial lamb. The Son died and now lives to intercede. The Spirit dwells within and sustains the spiritual life.
“Because I have given my life to Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God lives in me.”
Is that an expression of your life status? If not, let today be your day to receive the gift of God.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
“Because I belong to Him, He is alive in me.”
This simple statement of our life status is actually a deep theological expression of Trinitarian philosophy. The triune God, -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, -- all are active in my life situation. The Father loves and provides the sacrificial lamb. The Son died and now lives to intercede. The Spirit dwells within and sustains the spiritual life.
“Because I have given my life to Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God lives in me.”
Is that an expression of your life status? If not, let today be your day to receive the gift of God.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
MIND OVER MATTER
Romans 8:5-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
What is on your mind? I am not asking about your thoughts as you perform the tasks required of you (work, raising children, education, etc.). Those thoughts are generally not the problem. This question relates more to your down time. Where do your idol thoughts take you? Are these thoughts dominated by your sinful nature or are they under the control of the Holy Spirit?
If you had a new technological gadget which was able to capture, record and play back all your idol thoughts, would your recording be G … PG … R … or X rated? Would you be comfortable sharing your recording at the dinner table with your family, your parents, your co-workers or your Sunday School class? Would it be pleasing to God if it was the trailer before your prayer time?
The next time your sin nature takes your thoughts somewhere they don’t need to be, reign them in by the power of Holy Spirit living in you.
PRAISE REPORT & PRAYER REQUEST: The young man, Kentarus Christmas, I asked you to pray for a couple months ago who had gotten into serious trouble has been released from jail. The grand jury looked at the circumstances surrounding his actions and decided not to issue an indictment against him. I now ask you to pray for him as he looks at life ahead. May he find a path to travel which will lead him to a positive and Spirit-filled future. May he also be repentant, find forgiveness and receive peace from God for the guilt of his actions.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Life in the Spirit
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
What is on your mind? I am not asking about your thoughts as you perform the tasks required of you (work, raising children, education, etc.). Those thoughts are generally not the problem. This question relates more to your down time. Where do your idol thoughts take you? Are these thoughts dominated by your sinful nature or are they under the control of the Holy Spirit?
If you had a new technological gadget which was able to capture, record and play back all your idol thoughts, would your recording be G … PG … R … or X rated? Would you be comfortable sharing your recording at the dinner table with your family, your parents, your co-workers or your Sunday School class? Would it be pleasing to God if it was the trailer before your prayer time?
The next time your sin nature takes your thoughts somewhere they don’t need to be, reign them in by the power of Holy Spirit living in you.
PRAISE REPORT & PRAYER REQUEST: The young man, Kentarus Christmas, I asked you to pray for a couple months ago who had gotten into serious trouble has been released from jail. The grand jury looked at the circumstances surrounding his actions and decided not to issue an indictment against him. I now ask you to pray for him as he looks at life ahead. May he find a path to travel which will lead him to a positive and Spirit-filled future. May he also be repentant, find forgiveness and receive peace from God for the guilt of his actions.
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