According to the Spirit

Kari Beougher

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8

I am currently studying the book of Romans in my personal time with the Lord. One of the recurring themes I have continued to find is the connection between our thoughts and sinful actions. Over and over again, I am seeing that the battle for sin begins in the mind. When our minds are centered on the Gospel, there is life and peace and the ability to obey God's law. However, when our minds are focused on ourselves and on worldly things, we are living in the flesh and unable to please God. Setting our minds "on the things of the Spirit" begins with thinking rightly about who God is and agreeing with what God says about us. 

Today, may we take our thoughts captive in obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and focus our minds on Gospel truths. May we  "put to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13) by walking according to the Spirit.

Distinct

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amonuts to idolatry" (Colossians 3:5, New American Standard Bible).

CoCo Chanel was quoted to have said, "Elegance is refusal." Do you agree that sometimes, less is more? With an outfit, sometimes one piece of jewelry or one t-shirt can be better shown with a black dress or plain slacks. Sometimes, less in other areas can bring the distinct to light.

Are there some things in us (not necessarily in fashion) that, if they were not present, would show off who God is more? Some things in our hearts or some actions in our lives may not best reflect our Savior King, and in the case of this verse, some things lead to idolatry. The stunning thing about God is that He forgives us when we ask for it with a genuine, repentant heart.

There is an internal struggle that fights between flesh and spirit (see Romans 8:13). Through Jesus, our sins can be forgiven (Colossians 2:11), because of God's selfless love. Believers are forgiven and forever a part of God's family, yet God still works in us to bring us to an even closer relationship with Him. He works inside of us by the Holy Spirit's power, to put to death the sin within us and to fill us with Him.

Are there some recurring thoughts or habits in our lives, ones that dull or derail us from bringing honor to Christ? Let us pray that God reveals these things to us. We can pray He gives us the courage to remove those things from our lives. Let us bring glory to God in the process.

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk with the Spirit."
-Galatians 5:24-25 (NASB)

Lord, thank You for redeeming us. Remove sin in our lives that competes with us putting You first. Let us be a people who show who You are with all that's within us. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Lights, Camera...

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY'" (1 Peter 1:13-16).

Did you get to see any movies over the holiday break? I admire how much action and work happens before the making of a movie. God asks us to be prepared for action, too. However, what sort of action does God want us to do?

With Christ's work on the cross and the Holy Spirit's work within us, we are able to be obedient to God's lead. Will we follow it? Have we confessed our sins before our holy God? Will we let the Holy Spirit work in us and give us the power to follow Him? Christ came to earth to die in our place for our sins, but He also showed us how to live for God out of love for Him and for others.

As believers, we know that God is the source of light. We are given light from God that comes from being a part of His family and having the Spirit working in us. The camera is ready, as there is a world of people who don't know the Messiah yet. What is left? Action. Will we obey and follow God's lead, to live for Him and to reach a world in need?

Do you have the light? Do you see the camera? If yes, then let us move forward to action, following our Savior's footsteps.

Lord, thank You for helping us come to know You. Thank You for developing a relationship with us. Help us honor You in our resolutions and in this upcoming year. Guide us in how to bring Your light to the world through our actions. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.lovelyandcompany.co.uk.

The Holy Spirit gives new birth

"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit'" (John 3:5-6, New American Standard Bible).

The Holy Spirit brings great spiritual renewal from God. In the verses above, Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a well-studied man, what it meant to have a "second birth." God has the power to forgive us, since He rules over all. We are asked to ask Him for forgiveness and believe in Him. Then, the Holy Spirit is given to us at this time of conversion. It is a new birth, because the old has passed away and the new life, walking with Christ, has come. We are brought into God's family.

Our good and loving Father is there to keep forgiving us for sins that come. The Holy Spirit is there to help us understand God's will and turn to God. Jesus is there as an example of how to live on earth and as a reminder that our sins have been paid for on the cross. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us out of sin and into God's truth.

So, this new birth is a monumental moment. When we have it, we no longer live under wrath but we live under grace. We can rest knowing that the Holy Spirit is with us as we live today until we are able to be in God's presence forever in heaven.

Lord, thank You for this new life with You. Help us share You with others so they can have new birth, too, and experience the healing You bring. Thank You for Your presence. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.photo-dictionary.com.

The Holy Spirit and the desperado

"'But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 
And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 
concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 
and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 
and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged'" (John 16:7-11, New American Standard Bible).

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18, New American Standard Bible).

Have you heard the song "Desperado" by the Eagles? The illustration to the left is of the band, by Mark Stutzman (from www.rollingstone.com). The word "desperado" means criminal, but it reminds me of old stories about cowboys in the American wild west. I could be way off in my interpretation, but the desperado described seems to be about someone who seeks freedom by living apart from people and love (you can find the lyrics here, at azlyrics.com).

As believers, the Holy Spirit points out sin that separates us from God (John 16:8-11). The purpose of  conviction is to help us see our need for a healed relationship with God, our Creator, Savior, and King. God loves us, and Jesus paid the price for sin already. The hope is that we come to Him for forgiveness, restoration, and a closer relationship with Him.

1 Peter 3:18 explains that the end goal for the convicting is to make us alive in the Spirit. Is there some part of your life that is away from God? God wants us to desire Him more than sin and then put our trust in Him and His lead.

Lord, thank You for loving us enough to want to bring us back to Your presence, even when we sin. Convict us; help us see where we need more of You. May the Holy Spirit convict others, too, so they can also know and trust in You. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

> fresh paint

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV).

My housemates and I are excited about renovations to the outside of our house.  It has been more than a fresh coat of paint, since the renovators have chopped down rotting trees, replaced wooden panels and power-washed the walls to remove dead vines. Now, new paint is being coated on, helping our house look more alive.

It reminded me of how, when we let God work in our lives, He is able to strip away all of the mess within us and give us a new spirit.  He gives us the Holy Spirit, when we follow Christ, and we are able to have a new life with Him.  I believe we need Him to renovate our lives, on the inside and the outside.

"I say then, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16, HCSB).  Anthony Hoekema helped me understand this verse more in his book, Created in God's Image.  He explained that this verse is a promise, rather than a threat (page 109).  God helps us live today.  This does not mean that we will be perfect today, but it has helped me see that He is the one who gives us strength and hope to follow Him.   

Will we let Him renovate our lives today?  Will we help others see how He can change us, from the inside out?

Music video, Hillsong United:  "From the Inside Out" - YouTube

"Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4, NIV).

Acts 8:26-40 is the wonderful account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was sensitive to the Spirit’s leadership. Even though he had no idea what was about to happen, Philip listened to the voice of God and obeyed instantly and enthusiastically.

An angel of the Lord told Philip to go south to a desert road that went from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he did. He obeyed instantly. No discussion. No questions about why he should have had to go to a desert road. No “I’ll do it later. No “go ask Peter, he preaches great sermons.” He just went. When he obeyed, he met an official of all the treasure of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his Chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran (enthusiastic obedience) up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. Philip could have seen that this was a eunuch, a foreigner and decided someone of his own kind would have been better. He could have pointed out to God that this was a high official of the queen and why would this one listen to him. He even could have said, “Lord, he’s reading your Word. Surely he knows you.” However, Philip was anxious to please and obey His Creator God both instantly and enthusiastically.

Do we find ourselves following through and being obedient when God whispers to us to share about Him? Are we enthusiastic about those God gives us to witness to? Oh Lord, please make me instantly and enthusiastically obedient to Your still small voice.