Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

Matthew 13:18-23


16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulful the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.




Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16 (NIV)





Since my daughter turned two, we have been on a journey with the Lord. We started walking to a small church down the road and have gone almost every Sunday since. We sled to church on snowy days; we ride bicycles in the summer. How rewarding this has been for us! Our relationships with God have blossomed like flowers.

In those early years, however uplifting morning worship was, darkness encased my heart. I started my days resolved to live in God's light and finished in the darkness of a pub, in an alcoholic haze. I took the contradiction of my life to the Lord in prayer, but my anger and frustration increased. One day in an argument with my wife, rage overcame me and I punched a hole in the wall of our home. A painful separation from my wife and daughter ensued.

But God has blessed me with a strong, caring, forgiving, wife; and God has answered my prayers for sobriety. During that separation and to this day, I have tried to live Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”

My days are consistent now. No longer is each day a contradiction of light and darkness. My family laughs and loves. The Lord has truly blessed our home.




Prayer: Lord, we pray for peace that can be found only in your love. Help us to overcome our sinful nature and its desires. Amen



Prayer Focus of Day: Those who are Addicted.



Thought for the Day: Where is healing Needed, today?



Story shared by: R. Wisniewski (NJ)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/10/11