“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie
“Homily Grits Devotional” http://www.homilygrits.com/
Ephesians 5:15-17… See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (NKJV)
Walking with the Lord, as a Spirit filled Christian, is easier said than done. The first step in becoming a Christian in God’s eyes, is to recognize there is nothing you can do in the way of self-righteous works done in the name of the Lord…no amount of dedication to attending church every week…and no amount of good living where you have never really done any really bad things in life…that will allow anyone to be worthy enough to become a Christian.
We are all sinners from birth, with a natural sin nature…and we are all fools in God’s eyes until God draws us in (John 6:44), and gives us the understanding that we can in no way save ourselves from eternal damnation…
Romans 3:23… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (NKJV)
Unredeemed sinners are saved by God’s pure gift of grace, through saving faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)…after they hear the Word, understand what the gospel of Christ is all about…and seek Jesus Christ to become their personal Lord and Savior, through obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (See the link at the end for more on how God’s grace is received)
The opening scripture was written to believers from the church in Ephesus, who the Apostle Paul was urging to watch how they walked with the Lord. You can be a Christian in God’s eyes, and not be walking in the Spirit. The Apostle Paul then penned this scripture, in…
Ephesians 5:18-20… And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJV)
I wasted 7+ years of my life, not wisely “redeeming the time“, because I had taken back control from the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul pens this, in…Galatians 5:16… I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (NKJV)
To “Walk in the Spirit“, the Christian must not only understand the will of God…they must submit to the will of God, by allowing the Holy Spirit that God has given to all Christians (John 14:26) to direct their every step…James 4:7-8…
I am reminded of this scripture penned by the Apostle Paul, in…Romans 12:2… And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
The Christian’s mind (along with their heart and soul), must be continuously renewed every day. Sins will be easy to recognize by the power of the Holy Spirit, by God’s obedient children who are walking in sweet fellowship with the Lord as Spirit filled Christians. To remain in this state of practical righteousness in God’s eyes…any and all sins must be confessed, turned from, and repented of…1 John 1:9…
My writing today was inspired by Dr. Charles Stanley’s 20 minute audio sermon for July 31, 2013 that was titled…”Godly Wisdom”, that can be found @ http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/audio-archives Listen to this wise servant of God give you pointers on how best to live you life with godly wisdom.
Heavenly Father, I pray that eyes would be opened to the truth found in Your Word, and spoken by Your faithful servant Dr. Stanley. Help all of us Lord, through the power and the conviction of the Holy Spirit…to be able to discern godly wisdom from the world’s wisdom or our own flesh. I pray for this spiritual guidance in all of our lives, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…
Blessings in Christ, bruce
P.S. Here is a link for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/gods-group-thoughts-for-7112013-the-truth-about-sin/
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