Great idea for today -- diligently sow to the Spirit (in the Bible and wisely applyin the word. And in prayer, in fellowship upwards and outwards, and in witnessing to lost people of your intimate faith in Jesus Christ) and not sow to the flesh or to the world.
The spirit (that's pneuma in Grk) is willing, but the flesh is weak. All believers know the struggle. But when we watch and pray—when we remain spiritually alert and appeal to God for help—we can find strength in the time of need (see Psalm 46:1 and Hebrews 4:16).
“Flesh” refers to the human body and inner fleshly nature, with its moral and physical frailties. Believers now have a new nature. Remember when Jesus found His disciples unaware and sleeping in Gethsemane, He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40).
Man, that would have been more helpful for em. Remember afterward when He told them all to watch and pray in order to avoid temptation. Proper sowin' builds a believer up so they can walk strong. Is it too early to quit? Yup! So press in to know, better serve and glorify Him.
Opt to know God well and make Him well known today. Who are your real opponents here, believer? The flesh, this corrupt world system and Mr. Lu-Cifer (the devil) with his fallen angel gang. Greater is He (Jesus) that is in you, that he that’s in the world.
One evening, a Cherokee Indian elder was teaching his grandson about life.
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. This battle that goes on between the two wolves is inside us all.
One wild dog is Evil. He is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
He continued, “The other is Good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wild dog will win?”
Wisely, the grandfather simply smiled and replied, “The one you feed.” (There are probably other variations on this story, but you get the idea of what each dog represents.)
Want to grow up healthy and strong, believer. Well, it's up to you and me. It's up to each of us with the living word. Why? Cuz there's really no spiritual growth apart from the living Word.
You’re the branch, believer, and He is the Vine. (How’s that for dif good illustrations mixed together to say the same thing? Hah!)
Jesus: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (See John 15:4-11)
Yes, the spiritual growth of course comes from Him, the Lord of all. He is the vine and we are the branches so we don't need to strain to try to produce fruit.. we just abide in fellowship with the Jesus of the Bible. My real opponents are this corrupt world system, my inner fleshly nature and fallen angels that try to tempt me to do what they tempt me to do. Me. Lu-Cifer so to speak.. hates you and has a horrible plan for your life. But God is bigger, He still loves you, can forgive and restore anyone and He has a really good plan for your life as you submit to/follow his Son.
I'm talking about leading a disciplined life of victory where you are empowered by the Spirit in the center of God's will doing His will. It's such a joy to be a born again Christian smack dab in the middle of His will. There are definitely some things that we can do to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and Christ's Lordship.. moment by moment throughout the day. Like simply list to the word and obey, duh!
1. What is the flesh? What is the flesh? What is the Bible talking about when it refers to the flesh? Is it our physical bodies or our sin natures?
2. What does it mean that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? Why did Jesus say that to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane?
3. Is “you reap what you sow” biblical? Is this even right and true and biblical? Does the Bible teach that you reap what you sow, and if so, what does it mean?
4. What are the greatest promises in the Bible? What are the greatest promises for you and me to claim by faith from His Book? What are the most important promises in the Bible?
5. What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? What does the Bible about building yourself up in your most Holy Faith? What, sowing and reaping like a farmer with seed does? How do the concepts of sowing and reaping apply to us today? fish4souls.org
Turn, trust, believe. Not to or in self per se, but to the One who can change for the good. Sure helped me. He in love did! Change. Come as you are willing to be changed from the inside out.
