~ Controlled By The Spirit ~
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:56 pm Galatians 5:22-26
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.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)
After serving in the armed forces during World War II, I began working for a railroad company. My job was to start fires in the fireboxes of steam engines. Later I moved into the job of fireman, where I was responsible for maintaining the fire at the heat necessary for producing steam to power the engine. While shoveling coal I kept a weary eye on the boiler-water level, making certain it did not sink too low. If it did, that could cause the boiler to explode.
Occasionally, I reflect on that time, especially when I have a problem with my emotional “boiler.” During stressful situations, my emotions can easily get out of hand. Because of my lack of self-control, my temper – my emotional boiler – sometimes explodes, damaging my dearest relationships.
I learned in those steam engines the importance on keeping a safe water level. Similarly, the safest way I know to keep my emotional boiler under control is not simply by using self-control but by placing myself under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Scripture tells us, dear God, that you pour your love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). What a gift you have given us, O God! Thank you. Amen
Prayer Focus of Day: Those who do not control their tempers.
Thought for the Day: Relying on the Holy Spirit can lower our boiling point.
Story shared by: J. Eyberg (OK)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 1/4/12
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.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)
After serving in the armed forces during World War II, I began working for a railroad company. My job was to start fires in the fireboxes of steam engines. Later I moved into the job of fireman, where I was responsible for maintaining the fire at the heat necessary for producing steam to power the engine. While shoveling coal I kept a weary eye on the boiler-water level, making certain it did not sink too low. If it did, that could cause the boiler to explode.
Occasionally, I reflect on that time, especially when I have a problem with my emotional “boiler.” During stressful situations, my emotions can easily get out of hand. Because of my lack of self-control, my temper – my emotional boiler – sometimes explodes, damaging my dearest relationships.
I learned in those steam engines the importance on keeping a safe water level. Similarly, the safest way I know to keep my emotional boiler under control is not simply by using self-control but by placing myself under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Scripture tells us, dear God, that you pour your love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). What a gift you have given us, O God! Thank you. Amen
Prayer Focus of Day: Those who do not control their tempers.
Thought for the Day: Relying on the Holy Spirit can lower our boiling point.
Story shared by: J. Eyberg (OK)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 1/4/12