DAILY DEVOTION, Sept. 20, 2021

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Paul warns us against trying to mock our God. When we sow to our old fleshly nature and think that God will overlook our disloyalty, we are sadly mistaken. Our omniscient God is aware of our every thought, word, and deed. When someone declares. “I am a Christian,” but then habitually manifests bad behavior that person is deceived. He is sowing seeds of corruption. It is forever true that we reap what we sow.

Mature Christians are cooperating with the Holy Spirit and sowing good works and the fruit of the Spirit. While our good works do not save us, they are forever present in the lives of Christians as signs of the reality of their faith. Those who have faith in Jesus, a faith verified by their lifestyle, are sowing seeds that will lead to everlasting life. We need to make sure we are planting good seeds in the way we live. You harvest the crop you sow.

Father, I pray that my life will demonstrate that I love and trust Jesus, my Savior, and Lord. Deliver me from the notion that I can ever deceive You. I want to honor Jesus in my daily life. I pray in His name, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Sept. 18, 2021

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted Galatians 6:1).

As we move into the final chapter of the book of Galatians, Paul shifts his emphasis from doctrine to practical Christian living. What are we to do if we know that a fellow Christian is overtaken by sin? The word “overtaken” implies willful and continuous sin. Yes, Christians sometimes wander off onto the wrong path. Do we go after them harshly and tell them to get their act together? Paul suggests that our aim should be to restore the person, and that calls for gentleness. Most people do not respond to correction if they are approached with a “holier than thou” attitude and a harsh spirit.

We also need to remember that we are capable of succumbing to temptation. We are no better than the one who was overtaken in a trespass. We have all been “overtaken” at times. Therefore, gentleness is called for. The one overtaken is much more likely to respond to gentleness than harshness. If he doesn’t, you have done all that you can do.

Forgiving God, help me to take my Christian responsibility seriously. You have gently called me to repentance and faith in Your Son. May this same spirit of gentleness permeate my soul as I relate to others, especially those who have succumbed to temptation.  In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, Sept. 17, 2021

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

After spelling out the works of the flesh, Paul focuses on the fruit (note the singular tense) of the Spirit. He is talking about how we act when we are living under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Those who are walking in the Spirit will reflect love, joy, and peace. They will be patient, kind, and good. They will be faithful, gentle, and under control. Whenever we act in ways contrary to that list, we need to repent and receive forgiveness quickly. We want our lives to reflect the positive influences of the Holy Spirit.

It would be great if the fruit of the Spirit just happened automatically after we came to faith. However, it seems that God wants us to actively cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit. Through Bible study, prayer, and participation in the life of the church, these virtues grow. As we neglect these things, we tend to slip back into the works of the flesh. The Spirit will work in us as we make regular use of the means of grace: Holy Scripture, prayer, and the church.  God created us as free and autonomous individuals. Our choices help determine who controls us, the Spirit or the flesh.

Gracious Father, help me to faithfully use the means of grace that I may reflect the fruit of the Spirit in my daily life. If I drift away from the fruit of the Spirit, I ask You to use whatever means necessary to call me back. My heart’s desire is to serve You faithfully. I pray in the name of my blessed Redeemer, Jesus, Amen

Daily Devotional 9/16/21

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8.

            Micah was an Old Testament prophet to Judah and a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea.  His message to the people was that God had judged them for their unfaithfulness. There was a coming judgment but also a future kingdom. Micah 5 is filled with Messianic prophecy, including the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem. God was calling them to turn back to Him in obedience.

            In Chapter 6, verse 8, God clearly tells the people what they must do to be saved from the coming judgment.  He has told them what is good (moral goodness following God’s will). They are to act justly, in accordance with Divine Law.  LOVE mercy (loving-kindness), and walk humbly (prudently and cautiously) with Him.  Concerning loving mercy, Spurgeon comments that this means to delight in and find great pleasure in forgiveness and living in a compassionate way.  So this verse describes a righteous lifestyle that is pleasing to God.

            I have been puzzled by the verse in Ephesians 6:17 (a) that says, “Take the helmet of salvation…”. Why a helmet of salvation?  This Micah verse helped me better to understand the placement of salvation in a helmet.  The helmet protects the brain, the seat of attitudes and behaviors, and these mark who we are as a person and the lifestyle we lead.  Thus, it means that a salvation-minded person will live a lifestyle with an attitude of gratitude and actively seek good, act justly, love mercy, and wa k humbly with God.   Father help us to love

goodness, justice, mercy, and humility.  We seek to please You daily and become salvation-minded people who will faifully serve you and others.  Let us be people who will seek to save the lost as the time of judgment approaches.  Amen.