"What Are You Feeding?"

What Are You Feeding?

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Galatians 5:16-18

 

In 1974 B.T. Express had a song titled, ‘Do It (‘Till You’re Satisfied).  A portion of the lyrics said, “People know just what they’d like to do, whatever it is, you got it, long as it pleases you.”  We all, at some point in our lives, lived by this creed.  Doing, saying, and living how we want, and not considering the consequences. “Gratifying the desires of the flesh” (verse 16).  Editor and director, Crandall Miller, is quoted as saying, ‘What you feed grows.  What you starve dies.  You never satisfy anything by feeding it, you simply increase it’s capacity for growth.’  What are you feeding?

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you no longer live by the flesh.  And so the battle begins. Spirit man vs. Flesh.  The hardest fought battle of all time.  If we’re honest, it is a battle we fight, minute by minute.  What is ‘gratifying the desires of the flesh’ and what is ‘walking by the Spirit’?  The answer is right here in the Word.

‘Gratify the desires of the flesh’

Galatians 5:19-21 NLV says, “The things your sinful old self wants to do are: sex sins (adultery, fornication KJV), sinful desires (uncleanness KVJ), wild living (lasciviousness KJV), worshiping false gods (idolatry KJV), witchcraft, hating, fighting, being jealous, being angry, arguing, dividing into little groups and thinking the other groups are wrong, false teaching, wanting something someone else has, killing other people, using strong drink, wild parties, and all things like these.  I told you before and I am telling you again that those who do these things will have no place in the holy nation of God.”

‘Walk by the Spirit’

Galatians 5:22-26 NLV says, “But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up (long suffering KJV), being kind (gentleness KJV), being good, having faith (goodness KJV), being gentle (meekness KJV), and being the boss over our own desires (temperance KJV).  The Law is not against these things.  Those of us who belong to Christ have nailed our sinful old selves on His cross.  Our sinful desires are now dead.  If the Holy Spirit is living in us, let us be led by Him in all things.  Let us not become proud in ways in which we should not.  We must not make hard feelings among ourselves as Christians or make anyone jealous.”

(I encourage you to read Galatians 5:19-26 MSG version)

So, which will you feed?

Margaret Slaughter

Surrender

Surrender

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”

--Colossians 1:9-10

 

I will admit, I have a problem with surrender. Not surrender as in giving up, but surrender in the sense that I don't want to relinquish control.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 'surrender' as:

·         to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed

·         to give the control or use of (something) to someone else

·         to allow something (such as a habit or desire) to influence or control you

How appropriate in describing my relationship with Christ. Let me clarify.  It's not that I question God's ability or power, it's that this is an area of struggle for me.  When something happens, I spring into action before taking a moment to stop, and before you know it, I’m all in without having consulted the Lord and His direction.

To make a change, you have to have a plan.  So, now what?  Let’s refer back to the definition:

First, I must ‘agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting’, and acknowledge the problem.  Done. 

Second, I must ‘give the control to someone else’.  That will require me to take the time to pause and think before springing into action.  Let Him take the reins.

Third, I must ‘allow something to influence or control me’.  In that moment of pause, I must SURRENDER and acknowledge that still, small voice offering direction. 

In my own strength, surrender won’t be easy, but my Word says, ‘I can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13).  Pray with me.

Margaret Slaughter

I Am My Brother's Keeper

“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ.  Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.  I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

1 Corinthians 9:22

 

I Am My Brother’s Keeper

I was driving along Interstate 270 recently and noticed a flock of birds flying in ‘V’ formation.  I was curious.  Why do they fly that way?  So I did what we all do when we want to find out something.  I googled it.

The ‘V’ formation is thought to give the birds behind an aerodynamic advantage.  The birds in the rear of the ‘V’ formation are able to get an extra lift from the bird ahead of it from the ‘downwash’ or flapping of the birds’ wings in front of it.  In essence, the birds are constantly working together.

What if we as Christians operated on this same system?  Instead of shunning or criticizing our brothers and sisters that are new (or old) Christians, or weaker in their faith, we would gird (encircle) them in prayer.  Helping them if necessary.

Romans 15:1-3a says, “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this.  We must not please ourselves.  We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.  For even Christ didn’t live to please himself.”  So I ask you ‘are you your brother’s keeper?’

Margaret Slaughter

Stay Alert!

“Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

 

 

Stay Alert!

As I write this, I am observing a 21 day fast.  During one of my devotional times, the Lord revealed some things to me.  One day during the fast, I was wrestling and rationalizing with myself over what was ‘ok to eat’ on the list of acceptable foods for the fast.  I had to chuckle at myself because I realized you can rationalize almost anything if you work long and hard enough.  Then the Lord revealed to me that’s how easily sin creeps in and takes over before you know it.  First, it starts out as one little ‘white lie’.  And before you know it you’re asking yourself, ‘how did I get here?’.  Little by little.

 

1 Peter 5:8 tells you to ‘Stay alert!’.  Some versions say, ‘Discipline yourselves’.  No matter what version of the scripture you use, the message is clear, always be on guard.  In Genesis 4:7, the Lord says to Cain, “You will be accepted if you do what is right.  But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.  But you must subdue it and be its master.”

But here is the good news . . . God never leaves us alone.  He’s ever present, willing to help us . . . if we want it.  1 Corinthians 10:13 put it this way, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  So whenever you rationalize yourself into a tight spot, look to the Lord for your escape plan.

Margaret Slaughter