I don't know about you but lately I have found my flesh
trying to take more and more control in my life. While I am suppose to be
putting it to death, it seems as though it is getting stronger instead of
weaker. I am in a battle to stay focused on things above. Distractions, the
lust of my own flesh, the cares of this life are waging war against my spirit by
trying to consume my time and attention, in order to hinder me from fulfilling
the plan of God for my life.
When you are in a war, you have a choice to make-- either
let the enemy destroy you, or fight him. In a spiritual battle you have the
same choices-- do nothing (which is giving in) and be destroyed, or fight and
win the victory. I choose to fight. Below is my strategy for fighting. I am
inviting you this morning to join with me if you are going through a time
where your own flesh is trying to rule and destroy you.
My strategy is called: 21 days to discipline. For the
next 21 days I am on an all out war on my flesh. For the next 21 days I am
examining the weak areas of my life and I am doing two things: Remove- "let
aside"; Add - "run". The reason for most struggles with
the flesh is a lack of discipline. When we aren't disciplined, our flesh runs
wild. We have to chasten it and make it obedient to the Spirit.
This is how the plan works. I am removing (laying aside)
those things that I have identified as snares. Each day remove something that
you know is hindering you- that may mean you have to fast from food, from
television, from the computer, from going shopping, etc.... from anything that
seems to consume your time and thoughts besides God. Each day I will add
something that I know will help grow spiritually and make me strong. What can
you add that will make you stronger? Set your clock to get up one hour earlier
so that you aren't in a rush and leave the house without communion with the
Lord. Read an extra chapter in your Bible. Get those newsletters out of the
drawer that you haven't read and begin reading them. Bake a cake and give to a
neighbor. Visit the sick or shut ins. Stop during the middle of the day and
meditate on God's word. Memorize a new scripture verse. Send an encouraging
email to a friend. Add anything that will stop you from thinking about yourself
so much and what you want to do.
Some teach against doing this because Christianity isn't a
"checklist", it is a "lifestyle". That is very true, but sometimes you have to
have a plan of attack against your flesh and carry out that plan. If I want to
have a healthy productive garden, I have to remove the weeds and add nutrients.
It's the same. I want to have a healthy spirit man, so I have to identify the
"weeds of the flesh" and remove them, and I have to add those spiritual
nutrients that will make me thrive spiritually.
If you are joining me in this please keep in mind that
Jesus already won the war, we already have victory in Him. We are just bringing
our flesh into submission to the Sprit so that we can walk unhindered in and
enjoy the victory He won for us, and so that our spirits become fine tuned to
His Spirit so that we can also finish the race that is set before us and
complete the task He has called us to do. Also keep in mind that if you don't
look to Him, lean upon Him and be strengthened by Him, then you are making it
just a checklist of dos and don'ts and will wind up trying to accomplish it in
your own flesh-- which is just another work of the flesh.
Have a great day. Battle plan: Remove and
Add.
For further reading:
Romans 8:13Colossians 3:5
1 Corinthians 9:27
<>< <>< <><
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
<>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by
Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking
from
About the Master's Business Ministry,
Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them
free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to
your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to
do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business
Ministry.
No comments:
Post a Comment