I think we, as humans, long to escape the pressures of life at times...the hum drum ongoing of life's monotonous activities at times...the painful times of life due to a wide variety of external causes...we all look for something more. Many times this yearning is exactly what leads people to lean on alcohol and other drugs in abusive ways. And once you cross the line into over drinking or using drugs, your life generally not only gets filled with reckless actions, it usually spins out of control.
Paul says God has given us THE "something more", THE better way...when we come to Jesus and bend on our knees in submission to Him, asking Him to be our Lord and our Savior, He has promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit. THIS is the filling that we need to walk us through this earthly life with its times of pressure, times of monotony, and times of pain. Why would we ever opt for a temporary fix when we have within us the eternal Healer?
Reading the verses preceding this week's verse gives us an even clearer picture of the life that God desires for His children,
So, as we asked yesterday, when we are Spirit-filled what do our lives look like? Well the easiest description to remember is what Paul tells us in Galatians when he lists the fruit of the Spirit...a life filled with the Spirit will exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. If you could describe your "dream life" would it not be filled with these characteristics? This is the life that God wants for His children...this is the life that the Holy Spirit develops in us. I want this life.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. Many churches no longer celebrate the Lenten season, but I think there is such merit in taking these weeks to really dwell on the ministry and sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. During these days, an extra verse of meditation will be included that focuses on what we have been given through Christ, and on His great sacrifice for us.
Psalm 103:8-14
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. (NRSV)
Paul says God has given us THE "something more", THE better way...when we come to Jesus and bend on our knees in submission to Him, asking Him to be our Lord and our Savior, He has promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit. THIS is the filling that we need to walk us through this earthly life with its times of pressure, times of monotony, and times of pain. Why would we ever opt for a temporary fix when we have within us the eternal Healer?
Reading the verses preceding this week's verse gives us an even clearer picture of the life that God desires for His children,
So then, be very careful how you live. Don't live like foolish people but like wise people. Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living.God doesn't want us to miss a thing that He has in store for us. He has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11) and has prepared in advance good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We will not be aware of these great moments of life if we are living foolishly, if we are drunks, living wild lives of oblivion. God wants more for us now, and He expects more of us now.
So, as we asked yesterday, when we are Spirit-filled what do our lives look like? Well the easiest description to remember is what Paul tells us in Galatians when he lists the fruit of the Spirit...a life filled with the Spirit will exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. If you could describe your "dream life" would it not be filled with these characteristics? This is the life that God wants for His children...this is the life that the Holy Spirit develops in us. I want this life.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. Many churches no longer celebrate the Lenten season, but I think there is such merit in taking these weeks to really dwell on the ministry and sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. During these days, an extra verse of meditation will be included that focuses on what we have been given through Christ, and on His great sacrifice for us.
Psalm 103:8-14
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. (NRSV)
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