When You Let Your Spirit Lead in Lock-step with the HOLY Spirit, God Puts His Super in Your Natural

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor for only fools insist on quarreling.

King Solomon wrote that tidbit of wisdom & it’s sometimes hard to remember in the middle of a disagreement😬

I sometimes think that if external badges were possible in life, (like when I was a Girl Scout), that I’d be more apt to “do good”. I loved that silly sash with all of the badges I earned. I think we all like external accomplishment on some level…& that’s probably why the kingdom of God is a lot less about doing & far more about following.

I’ll never forget when my guys were little & I made the novice mistake of praying for patience.🙄

The problem with praying for patience, is, well, it has to be tried so you have opportunity to CHOOSE patience, right?

Well,…not really.

If becoming patient (or loving, kind, joyful, etc,) were completely dependent on us white knuckling our way through, then yes, we’d need to be tested to show what we know.

BUT, when we remember that all those things aren’t simply feelings, but actual fruits of the Holy Spirit who resides inside, our perspective completely changes!

It becomes far less about earning a badge of honor & far more about following His lead!

When we let our spirits lead our body & soul in lock-step with the HOLY Spirit, God puts His super in our natural! (Got that line from my pastor 😉). No striving needed!

Another version says that it is honorable for a man to stop striving. Did you know that striving & strife share the same root!😳 I’d venture to say that anything we STRIVE to do, allows strife to quickly surface.

When we strive to accomplish things in our own will & insist on our own way, it leaves no room for the Holy Spirit to operate.

Father, we thank you that there are no external badges as we follow Your lead! It’s so easy to boast in our own strength, but we want to boast only in the name of the Lord our God!

Holy Spirit, have your way with us so when times of testing DO arise, Your fruit will also rise!

Tune our ears to hear Your voice over the tantrums of our own for that’s when striving ceases! We know that when we come under bit & bridle of Your counsel, we honor the Lord, the only One with honor due 💞

#OneYearBible #July

July 26th One Year Bible Readings

2 CHRONICLES 17:1-18:34

ROMANS 9:25-10:13

PSALM 20:1-9

PROVERBS 20:2-3

Even Though Words May Fail Me, His Word NEVER Falters or Fails

Do you ever feel at a loss for words or for wisdom to know which way is the best way forward?

I do (often) & I think that uncertain feeling is what drives me to the Words of the Certain One, because here’s the thing:

Even though words may fail me, His Word never falters or fails.

Y’all, if you’re not opening the Word of God on the daily, you’re missing out on a treasure trove of wisdom that will bless your socks off!

Some think His instructions are limiting, but they ooze with His limitless love! They’re perfect, reviving the soul!

Need reviving? Open His Word!

His decrees are ALWAYS trustworthy, making wise the simple! His unchanging Word is THEE final Word on all matters, remaining steadfast regardless of cultural norms.

Need wisdom? Open His Word!

In this world of right, wrong, good or bad, His Word is ALWAYS right. It brings joy that cannot be thwarted by happenstance or enemy operation.

Need joy? Open His Word!

The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. In the many years of reading my One Year Bible, there hasn’t been a day that His Word returned void.

Need to know the way ahead? Open His Word!

God’s Word is:

~True

~Fair

~A warning to the humble heart 

~A great reward for those for heed Him

We live in a “can do” culture that lures us into believing, “I’ve got it!”, but in reality, we’ve got nothing of eternal value without God.

Our deceitful hearts can lead us into self sufficient land where we forget our need of The Word. In our stubborn independence, we forget that we cannot be saved without a Savior 👉🏽we all have ongoing need for The Word to save us with His direction, correction & encouragement!

Father, the words of our mouths can’t be pleasing to You APART from You!

Whether we read, sing or listen to Your Word, let us not forsake time WITH The Word! Revive us, teach us, bless us & lead us with Your Word today.

Even though we may be at a loss for words or wisdom, Your steadfast Word never fails or falters. Holy Spirit, we know that priority determines capacity. Help us make time with the Word a priority, for it is only through Him that we can live life to the greatest God-given capacity!

#OneYearBible

July 25th One Year Bible Readings

2 CHRONICLES 14:1-16:14

ROMANS 9:1-24

PSALM 19:1-14

PROVERBS 20:1

We’re All in Service to Someone, but the Quality of The Master Determines the Weight of the Yoke

We’re all in service to someone or something all the time, but the quality of the master determines the weight of the yoke.

I rarely make all or nothing statements, but as far as I can tell, this one rings true unto eternity.

The motto, “Land of the Free” is the very fabric of our culture, & “the freedom to ____” is at the heart of most political platforms. Yet, rarely do we ask what freedom is for.

We know freedom comes with a cost. It’s why we celebrate with national holidays, but once freedom is won, then what?

Freedom from ANYTHING becomes a hamster wheel pursuit unless The One Who bought our eternal freedom with His very life is involved in the process. If we don’t allow Him the helm, His protection lifts & we’re vulnerable to other masters.

That’s what happened to King Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon. The success & freedom his forefathers secured is shattered by self-serving pride within moments of his kingship. His kingdom splits in two & he’s left with a fraction of a nation.

He eventually establishes his rule, however, in his success, he forgets his God, abandons the Law of the Lord & all of his people follow suit.

Not long after, his blatant sin takes human form as God allows the King of Egypt to attack. Rehoboam repents, & God relents. God doesn’t completely destroy them, but does make them subject to Egypt, “so they will know the difference between serving me & serving earthly rulers.”😳

If we’re completely honest, we’re all serving someone ALL the time…every single choice we face, & every subsequent decision we make serves some sorta master: God, others or self.

Jesus secured our freedom SO THAT we can live free from the wiles of sin eternally!

Rehoboam has a kingdom handed to him on a golden platter & he uses that freedom for his purposes, forgetting Who placed him there & how he is called to lead!

Freedom & success can tempt us into a state of complacency, causing us to forget Who set us free. When God is not our Master, our borders become vulnerable to attack by little masters who impose a heavy yoke!

Jesus PROMISES to be a light & easy Master.

Of all the masters you permit in your life right now, which one died for you?

#OneYearBible #July

July 24th One Year Bible Readings

2 CHRONICLES 11:1-13:22

ROMANS 8:26-39

PSALM 18:37-50

PROVERBS 19:27-29