“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                  

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht   

“Homily Grits Devotional”   http://www.homilygrits.com/

Written by the wise 84 yr old Robert VanHoose, who writes the “Homily Grits Devotional” above:

Read Philippians 3:7-21,
Psalm 28
Aug 7

“Without a Paddle”

“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT

We often seem to be drifting down the river of life without a paddle.  As “we go with the flow” we so often fall into the trap of doing life the world’s way instead of God’s way.

The stark realities of sinful living among Christians being as prevalent as among unbelievers is a sad commentary on the sorry state of affairs within the family of God.  

God not only gives us the Holy Spirit as a paddle to propel us ever upward in becoming conformed to the image of Christ, but also as a moral compass to keep us focused on who we are and where we’re going.

When we quit paddling because of indifference, discouragement, or besetting sins we can go down into the sea of despair and become stuck in the muck and the mire of a sin sick world.

Jesus knew that we would never be able to meet the righteous demands of the law in our own strength.

This is why He came to earth to provide  the perfect righteousness required for us. This is also why He promised and has sent the Holy Spirit to call us, and to guide us into all truth and give us the strength to paddle through the rapids of life until we reach the safe harbor of our eternal home in heaven.  

When the Holy Spirit  becomes alive in our hearts, His paddles of grace are supplied to reform, transform, and conform us into the very image of Christ, who is our hope of glory.

Father, help me to keep my eye on the prize and to keep on paddling.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.