A concise daily devotional developed to encourage reading and understanding of God's Word.
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better." Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
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As Christians, we are no longer controlled by our old sinful human natures. This is the part of us that seems to gravitate to things forbidden, things that feel good, things that bring pleasure. God never intended for His children to live lives devoid of good feelings and pleasure. He does intend for us to hand over our own control of our human nature and to take on His nature. It is a much different life than living by human desires and pleasure. Living in the nature of God brings such life, treasures and riches, the things of this world grow very pale and unattractive in comparison.
Heavenly Father, we ask that You help us to take on Your nature so that we will not fall into the selfish ways of the world. We thank You that You have given us access to Your nature and praise You for the blessings we receive as we take Your nature as our own. In Jesus' name.
Read Romans 7:5
"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death." (NIV)
"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." (KJV)
Living in an immoral world is difficult. Living in a world that is full of seemingly harmless departures from the truth is dangerous. We cannot compromise with the values and beliefs of the world. Compromising with the world may keep us from being ridiculed and persecuted, but it will cause us to lose our testimony and to be unfaithful to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, oh how we know that this world is full of things that would make it appear all right for us to follow. We pray that you would give us that spirit of discernment so that we can keep from compromising with this world and stay pure as your children. In Jesus' name.
Read Revelation 2: 20
"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess..." (NIV)
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess..." (KJV)
Deception is something we feel happens to other people. The truth is, deceit is so subtle and inconspicuous, that even the most learned and spiritual of men can fall into deception. We are commanded to watch out! Be alert! Wake up! Deception can come through people or situations we would never have imagined. There is no place in this life where deceit does not lie waiting to catch some unsuspecting soul in its' trap. So let's pray that we are alert and watchful so we do not get deceived.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us all we need to keep ourselves from being deceived. We know You have made it our responsibility to put on the whole armor and to be alert to the trickery of Satan. Help us by Your Spirit, to be aware of deception and to expose it for what it is. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 24:4
"Jesus answered, 'Watch out that no one deceives you." (NIV)
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you." (KJV)
We have most likely all experienced anxiety at some level during our walk on this earth. Some people suffer terribly from this very uncomfortable state of being. Whether it is something that is a current situation or whether it is a persistent condition from which we suffer, there is a sure and guaranteed remedy for anxiety. The remedy is allowing God to comfort, support, and encourage us. He will do this in many ways, often times unique to each of us. God always stands by with compassion to console us and give us peace and hope. We can reach out to Him now and let His loving Spirit take away the anxiety and worry and replace it with His peace and joy.
Heavenly Father, so often we get tangled up in our worries and anxieties and we forget to just call on You. Please help us to always turn to You in these times of anxiety. We praise You for your comfort, peace, and perfect joy. In Jesus' name.
Read Psalm 94:19
"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (NIV)
"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." KJV)
No matter how well we have put on the armor, we will be defeated without prayer. Praying without ceasing is like leaving your phone off the hook, the connection is always there. Our prayers should include praise, thanksgiving, praying for others, seeking guidance, and for our needs. We pray to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit (from our heart, not mindless repetition). Prayer enables us to stay alert because the evil one finds the tiniest opportunity to get to us. Never stop praying.
Heavenly Father, we ask forgiveness for being too busy in our lives to keep the line of communication open to you. Help us we pray, to always remain in the spirit of prayer so that we can hear your voice and we will be always ready to let you work through us. In Jesus' name.
Read Ephesians 6:18
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (NIV)
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (KJV)
None of us are are exempt from temptation. The good news is: We will never be in a situation of temptation where we have no alternative but to give in to the sin. God has guaranteed us a way out so that we don't have to sin. We still have the free will to go ahead and let the temptation overtake us. That makes us totally responsible for our decision. We can't blame anyone but ourselves if we sin.
Heavenly Father, we are so aware of the subtlety of sin and how easy it is to fall into its' trap. We ask that you help us to stay alert and stand firm so that we will take the way out you provide for us, so that we won't sin against you. In Jesus' name.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (KJV)
A spiritual battle is raging. Whether we choose to believe it or not, we are a part of this battle. It is a battle for our souls and destruction of the Church. The enemy in this battle is Satan, whose most dangerous and cunning feature is that he is unseen. He works without rest to direct his legions of fallen angels to assist in his mission. His mode of operation is to appeal to our senses, distort our thoughts, and use circumstances to deceive us. He will ceaselessly get us to doubt God and His Word. God has given us everything we need to fight this battle to victory. It is His armor, and we must wear it at all times.
Heavenly Father, our flesh and our natural senses cause us to be weak and vulnerable to the tricks of Satan. Forgive us for not being equipped with your armor because we are complacent or we aren't aware of the seriousness of our situation. Help us to put on your full armor so that we can stand ready to fight this enemy every moment. In Jesus' name.
Read Ephesians 6:12,13
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (NIV)
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (KJV)
My human nature draws me to the wide road where it is easier, more popular--where it's wide enough to allow me to be spiritually comfortable. It gives me space to believe what seems right to me and decide for myself where I want God to be in my life, if at all. With God's Nature in me, I chase after the narrow road where it's lonely, difficult, and costly. Very few are attracted to this road and even fewer choose to seek it, even though it is the Way, the only Way to eternal life with God.
Heavenly Father, we have travelled on the wide road and it is easy. But this road leads to death. We thank you and praise you that you provided the way for us to become new creatures with your nature so that we can travel the narrow road, the difficult road, that leads us to eternal life with you. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 7:13,14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (NIV)
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (KJV)
Often pray and then start looking for the answer immediately. Are we disappointed and lose the solid trust we had, because it's been enough time for Him to answer and He has not? It could be that we make the mistake of praying for answers and looking for answers, instead of communing with God and looking for Him in our daily lives. When we get our eyes off Him and begin to look for evidence that He is doing what we want Him to do, we have lost the purpose of prayer: seeking and finding God.
Heavenly Father, so often we seek answers from You instead of seeking You. We know that You will take care of our needs and our situations if we put our trust in You, giving you the worship and praise only You deserve. Forgive us we pray, in Jesus' name.
Read Luke 24:21
"...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place." (NIV)
"But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done." (NIV)
We are cautioned as Christians about sharing the deeper, more precious truths of the Kingdom of God to those who are incapable of respecting and appreciating it's priceless value. They will mock it, twist it, and use it in a profane manner in an attempt to tear down our testimony. We are to share the powerful, but simple Gospel of Jesus Christ with them, that their hearts will be be convicted and changed. Then they will grow in Christ and begin to understand the deeper things of God.
Read Matthew 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (KJV)
Most of us are familiar with the scripture about the lilies of the field and the birds of the air not worrying. We can argue by saying that they are surviving by instinct, that natural inclination to follow the laws of survival and continuation of the life cycle. Actually, when we put our total faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, all we have to do is follow the Holy Spirit that always leads us toward life, growth, and contentment. Like the lilies of the field, all we need to do is take root in Christ and grow where we are planted.
Heavenly Father, we confess that we worry about the things of this world that affect our lives. We fail to put our total faith and trust in You. Help us, Lord, to look at the birds and the flowers and remember that You are taking care of us as we put our faith in You. Help us to grow where You have planted us. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 6:30
"If that is how God clothed the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (NIV)
"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (KJV)
Walking by faith can be a very perplexing thing. There are many times we find that we can't quite figure out what God is doing and why we are in a particular place or circumstance. Our first response is to ask Him what He is doing. God knows what He is doing and as long as we know that He does, it doesn't matter that we know. Most often He does not tell us what he is doing. He desires more that we seek who He is.
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we lack faith to just keep walking and we stop and insist You give us the plan You have made. Help us to just trust that You know what You are doing and find contentment in knowing who You are. In Jesus' name.
Read Hebrews 11:8
"By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." (NIV)
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (KJV)
How many times have we heard or said, "It isn't fair!" To be unjustly treated is one of the most difficult times to let the life of Christ show through us. Our first thought is to give and eye for an eye, seek justice, or get even. If we think that turning the other cheek is a weak cop out from having to stand up for ourselves, we need to think again. Jesus told us not to fight evil with evil, but to fight evil with good. We are in for a great disappointment if we expect fairness and justice from this world and the people in it. But we have the true heart of Christ if we constantly seek to be fair and just. When we turn the other cheek, we, like Christ, are saying, "I don't expect fairness from this world, but I will never be unfair, I will be like Christ."
Heavenly Father, you know our human hearts and how it is natural for us to seek fairness and even the score. We ask that you forgive us for these times and give us strength and courage to be like Christ, not seeking fairness, but always showing it to others. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 5:39
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (NIV)
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (KJV)
We would never commit a terrible and unforbidden act in the open where others could see, would we? But are we just as concerned about committing those same acts in the privacy of our mind and heart, where God sees? If we continue to feed those thoughts and desires, we are as guilty as if we outwardly did them. Jesus says to get as far away as we can from anything that feeds or stimulates those desires.
Read Matthew 5:27,28
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (KJV)
We are all aware that salt is a primary ingredient used to enhance the flavor of food. Actually, the principle use of salt is to prevent rotting and decay. Historically, salt is a symbol of purity. Impure salt lacks flavor and is basically useless. Salt that is pure has been touched by the hand of God, the Creator of the Universe. Pure salt must have contact with a source before it is effective. It works, gradually, quietly, and unnoticed. We are to live like pure salt in a rotting world so that its decay is delayed and the Gospel of Jesus Christ can continue to reach every living person on the earth.
Read Matthew 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (NIV)
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." (KJV)
Jesus introduced His ministry by telling us the reason He came. He did not come to destroy anything but Satan's work. He came to complete the written Law in living form. The written Law and the Prophets speak of the outward man's obedience to God. Jesus Christ came to speak and demonstrate how the Law must first live in the inner heart. We can practice the rules successfully on the outside and be nothing more than whitewashed tombs. But we cannot have the Living Law of Jesus Christ dwelling in our hearts without our behavior matching it, where it will be seen by those around us.
Read Matthew 5:17
"Do you think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (NIV)
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (KJV)
Do we have a deep, urgent craving to be right with God? Do we realize that we need daily, fresh supplies from Him, much like we need food and water on a regular basis in order to live? If we understand this daily spiritual need, we will not only have what we so deeply desire and long to possess, but we will have it in abundance and fullness.
Read Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (NIV)
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (KJV)
Being poor in spirit is the attitude toward ourselves that keeps us aware of our total need of God's grace and mercy. Without this attitude, we have no access to the riches of Christ. With it, we have the fullness of the kingdom of heaven right now.
Heavenly Father, this world has so many things that keep us from having the right attitude about who we are. Help us to keep the mind and attitude of Jesus Christ so that our lives will be examples of your love and mercy. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (NIV)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (KJV)
We are all looking for happiness and contentment. Most of us look in the wrong places. What we seek cannot be found from this world. If we want to know true happiness and fulfillment, we need to seriously seek to know and understand the guidelines and ethical code of living set down by the life and teachings of Jesus.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to forgive us for seeking happiness from this world. We know that true happiness and joy comes from you alone. Thank you for supplying these things in abundance to us as we seek you. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 5:1,2 "Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying......." (NIV)
"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," (KJV)
Be aware that there is a conflict within us. This conflict is between the desire to do those things that are good and pleasing to our Lord and the desire to do those things that are pleasing and satisfying to us, but are displeasing to our Lord. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can exercise the power of God within us to love and do what is good and right while overthrowing the love of evil.
Read Romans 7:22,23
"For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." (NIV)
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." (KJV)
We may have an idea of where we want to go or what we need to become. We will not get there by relying on our own plans and reasoning. We will not get there seeking advice from scholars and books. The only way we will get to the place we need to be, is by fully trusting in the Lord. He is faithful to get us to the right place, at the right time, in the right way.
Heavenly Father, we are guilty of taking matters of our lives into our own hands. We ask that you would make us aware when this happens so that we can trust in You to take us in the right direction. In Jesus' name.
Read Proverbs 3:5,6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (KJV)
Watch that you don't become overly confident in your ability to rise above temptation. We are never above the reach of temptation and the possibility of a fall. It is human nature to be faced with temptation and to look for ways to justify our giving in to it. All of us are tempted in one way or another. The Lord will never allow us to get to a place in the face of temptation that we have no choice but to sin. There is no excuse like, "I couldn't help it" "That's just the way I am." He always provides a way out.
Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who prays and intercedes for us when we are tempted. Please help us to take the way out You always provide for us so that we do not sin against you. In Jesus' name.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:12,13
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye ay be able to bear it." (KJV)
A crown symbolizes one who reigns in royalty. Jesus gives His Word that He will give the crown of life to those who sacrifice, show faithfulness to Him, and endure the conflict and persecution of this world. He will place that crown on the head of the overcomer and nothing will be able to remove it. The overcomer will rule and reign with Christ for eternity.
Heavenly Father, we know we cannot be faithful to You in this life. But we know we can succeed if we allow the Holy Spirit to rule and reign in our lives. Please help us to do just that, in Jesus' name we pray.
Read Revelation 2:10
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for then days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (NIV)
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (KJV)
What is a living sacrifice? It is total dedication of ourselves to God. It is giving our physical body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus gave His body for us through death, we willingly give our living bodies for His service. We give our minds to Him so that He might transform our thinking through prayer and study of His Word. We give Him our will so that through obedience and faith, He changes us into victorious Christians. That is true worship and being a living sacrifice.
Heavenly Father, we cannot offer ourselves totally as living sacrifices without the help of Your Holy Spirit. We ask that You help us to be open, ready, and willing to give ourselves totally to You, in Jesus name we pray.
Read Romans 12:1,2
"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (KJV)
If we are spiritually attuned to the Lord at all, it doesn't take but a quick glance in the mirror to see that we have need of drastic spiritual surgery to remove the huge "log" out of our own eyes. When we get that taken care of, only then are we able to humbly and lovingly help another get that little splinter out of another's eye. We must always see our own sins and shortcomings as greater than the same sins and shortcomings in others. And, we need to remember where we once were when a humble and loving soul helped us with our splinter.
Heavenly Father, we ask for your grace and love when we come across others that we feel need to be corrected and set straight. Help us to examine ourselves so that we get the log out of our own eye. We pray this in the name of Jesus.
Read Matthew 7:3-5
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck our of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (NIV)
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (KJV)
Being poor in spirit is an attitude toward myself that keeps me aware of my total need of God's grace and mercy. Without this attitude, I have no access to the riches of Christ. With it, I have the fullness of the kingdom of heaven right now.
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we become prideful and forget that without humility, we take control of our lives away from you. In Jesus' name.
Read Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (NIV)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (KJV)
Looking back over all the great men and women of the Bible, we see that they lived their lives looking forward to what God promised them. They did not see the promise in their lifetime. But they will see it with all of us who live our lives looking ahead for the fulfillment of His promise. We will enter into His promise together. So keep going ahead in Christ looking forward for that great time.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your great and precious promises. Even though we may not see them come to pass now, we know they will come to pass and we will see them. Help us to remember that. In Jesus' name.
Read Hebrews 11:39,40
"These were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (NIV)
"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (KJV)
We all need encouragement. Most of us want it and are energized by it. Do we understand that we can be encouraged by being an encouragement to others? Encouragement is like a boomerang. We give it out and watch the effect it has, which encourages us. Encourage someone today and see what happens.
Heavenly Father, we know that it pleases you when we show love and appreciation for each other. Help us to recognize the opportunities each day to encourage those around us. In Jesus' name.
Read Philemon 1:7
"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." (NIV)
"For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother." (KJV)
There are undoubtedly times when this world creates in us anything but a feeling of gentleness. Since our goal is to be like Christ, it is up to us to maintain a spirit of gentleness. When Jesus walked the earth his gentleness was such that His normal movements would not put out the tiny flame of a candle burned down to the end of the wick. We can strive to show that kind of gentleness.
Heavenly Father, as we walk day to day and encounter the world around us, we need Your grace to remain gentle as Christ was gentle. We ask that You give us the spirit of gentleness so that You will be glorified. In Jesus' name.
Read Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." (NIV)
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." (KJV)
Have you ever realized there is no law against loving and doing good to others. If we love, we will never wrong another. There will never be anything to condemn us if we love. If we allow love to rule in our hearts, we don't need laws, because love is above the laws and it breaks none. Love shows others that we belong to Him. It draws others to Him. Love is the ultimate law.
Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that You are Love, and that You pour Your love on us every moment of every day. We ask that You help us to let your love flow through us so that we will be a blessing to those who so desperately need Your love. In Jesus' name.
Read Romans 13:10
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (NIV)
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (KJV)
Until the Lord takes us from this earth, we will be in a battle between our spirits and our human natures. Jesus plainly tells us that we will not be fruitful for His kingdom unless we surrender our human natures so that our spirit will thrive and produce abundance for God and for others. There is no other way to be productive for Him. Watch what happens to one seed when you plant it, bury it in the ground. Watch what happens to the seed when you just hold it in your hand.
Heavenly Father, we humbly ask that you would give us awareness of this battle between our spirits and our humanity. Help us to die to our humanity so that our spiritual life can produce fruit for your kingdom. We ask this in Jesus' name.
Read John 12:24
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." (NIV)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (KJV)
