another day in Romans 8

We spend another day in Romans 8 looking at a few of the aspects of what faith in God does to and through our lives. These truths are life changing. That is life changing for us and for those we encounter and share our faith with.

Take a few minutes today to dig in, to take note of what God says to you, and apply the truth to your heart and life.

Romans 8:5-6 NLT

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.

Today’s verses from Romans 8 are a comparison between following the Spirit of God and our flesh. Many passages in the New Testament deal with the same and give us more insight in to the life a Christian can be living. It will also give us the reasons why we may struggle each day to follow God.

Notice in these two verses what is said about living by the flesh, not following God. This person is dominated by their sinful nature. It is what they think about. It is about they pursue all the time. That pursuit simple leads to death. What does death look like? It is not just about ceasing to breathe. It is more about having no reason to live and struggling with the pain and brokenness of the world.

In contrast take note of the difference of following the Spirit of God. This person is controlled by the Spirit. The terminology and truth changes. No longer are you dominated and held by something that is painful. This person is controlled and led by God in ways that brings freedom. What I like most about these verses is what this person’s mind runs to. The words life and peace are my favorites. The person following God ends with enjoying life, having life and living it with peace.

The choice is ours. Follow God or do things the worlds way or your way. One leads to more slavery and domination from the world. The other way leads to freedom, life and peace.

Pretty clear what the differences are. Pretty awesome what God gives those people who by choice follow Him.

I choose life and peace. How about you?

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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