“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional
Written by bruce r. mills for “God’s group” @ www.Godsmanforever.com
“Be Resolute with your NEW YEAR Resolutions !!”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12… To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Many of us make NEW YEAR resolutions, and I have read that many resolutions don’t last more than a week… And furthermore, most people don’t stick to them past the first month or two !! I write today for “born again” believers, that you may have the “resolve” (meaning – firm determination to do something), to fulfill any resolution that God puts before you… It helps us to understand that we CAN fulfill any resolution, if we allow “his power” (the Holy Spirit) to work in and through us…giving God the glory for our success !!
Not a “born again” Christian ?? [See P.S. below]
The power of the Holy Spirit living within the believer, is a subject so many pastors fail to teach us about… And yet living in and by the power of the Holy Spirit, is the key to living for Christ…and is the only way we will be able to overcome ANY of life’s trials… Not because of our strength or merit…but because the Holy Spirit can overcome any evil Satan tries to ensnare us with, and well as our own carnal flesh which is constantly trying to pull us down… But we must Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us… The apostle Paul pens this, in…
Ephesians 5:18-20… And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV)
Being filled with the Holy Spirit, means we have surrendered our lives to the total control of the Holy Spirit…
I urge every reader who wants to truly understand what walking in and by the power of the Holy Spirit is all about, to open and read the commentary on Galatians 5:16…seen in 1. Below…
God gives all of His redeemed children free will… We can choose to live lives that will be pleasing to God…and be blessed beyond belief, as the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) grows and matures within us…
Galatians 5:22-23… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (ESV)
Look at this list of attributes the Holy Spirit can help you with !! Read them again slowly…and be encouraged that you can possess all of these “Christ like” qualities through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit !!
Or you choose to live your life the way you want…even if it goes against the leading of the Holy Spirit that God has given you, to guide and direct your life… It always amazes me how we believe we can know more than God !!
So there you have it !! You can “Be Resolute with your NEW YEAR Resolutions !!” Pray to God to give you resolutions that He would be proud of… And then seek God’s help through the power of the Holy Spirit that God has indwelt every believer with…to be able to remain committed to making changes in your life that will bring God the glory !!
Gracious God and heavenly Father…I pray Your children will allow this living and powerful Word above, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), to open their eyes to the truth that their lives can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live for You… I pray they would humble themselves to under Your mighty hand…and that by doing so, this NEW YEAR would fill them with Your richest blessings… I pray for this life changing empowerment, in Jesus’ most precious name, and for His sake…Amen…
Blessings in Christ, bruce
References:
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Walking by the power of the Holy Spirit – https://bible.org/seriespage/5-spirit-work-spirit-filled-life
P.S. Don’t you want to be empowered by the Holy Spirit ?? If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth 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.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
P.S.S. I got the idea for this writing, and the scripture for today’s post from a app I listen to called “Ask Pastor John”… You could listen to this short podcast @ https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/are-personal-resolutions-effective-or-futile
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