TODAY'S RHEMA Galatian 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
"I want this. I want that. I want many things." That is what the song in animated show "Doraemon" all about. True, that is children's show but it portrays the nature of man in general who never feels satisfied.
However, there is also someone like Mart Green exist in this world. He is the founder of Mardel and the heir of the family company of Hobby Lobby with assets of more than US$ 6.5 billion. As a successful businessman and a wealthy heir, Mart could get almost any pleasure the world could offer dreamed by many. But the fact stated differently; becoming an heir, he still maintained a simple lifestyle and dedicated his life to the Lord. He often donated a large sum of money for evangelism and also involved in missionary work to deliver Bibles to remotes places. At one moment, he shared his secret of living which is, he read the Bible every morning and fasted all year long. As a matter of fact, he once fasted for 40 days without eating or drinking. He said, while he was fasting, he focused more on his time with God and that he know God deeper and better than ever. This is what he considers as pleasure in life.
One thing about desire, we can go with it or refuse it. The same thing applies, we can go with the will of the flesh or the will of the spirit. When we decide to go with one of them, it means we are pushing away the desire of the other. The problem is, too many people are living in the will of the flesh that the will of the spirit is replaced, therefore we need to fast, not only about food but also fasting from the worldly pleasures. Basically, to live in the spirit means we are giving way to the Holy Spirit lead us through until the will of our flesh align with the will of God and that we are no longer overpowered by the will of the flesh. REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, Those who walk by the Spirit will not be controlled by the desires of the flesh. APPLICATIONS 1. What do you think is living in the spirit means? 2. Why do you need to live in the spirit? 3. What can you do so that the will of the spirit will dominate the will of your flesh? TODAY'S PRAYER "Dear heavenly Father, I know I am weak. Please teach me to live in the Spirit that my life no longer is controlled by the desires of flesh but by the will of the Spirit and my life may be pleasing to you and glorify your name. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen."
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