Sunday, October 30, 2010
THANKFUL SUBMISSION – Submission of the Heart
SCRIPTURE READING
Galatians 5:25 (NIV); “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”SCRIPTURE READING
Jesus is our Shepherd. The Psalmist said “with your rod and your staff you comfort me” – there is comfort and peace in being guided by one who knows better than you. The Holy Spirit does not prod us forward, nor does He beat us into submission; He is a Guide, convicting and leading us when we willingly submit to Him.
This verse in Galatians is an appropriate motto for the Christian life – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Since we have submitted ourselves to the Shepherd, let us follow His direction and go with His leading. John 10 speaks in depth of this analogy and mentions in the passage that the sheep know the Shepherd’s voice and come to Him. We cannot keep in step with the Sprit if we do not know His pace. We cannot submit ourselves completely to Christ if we cannot hear His voice and know His promptings and obey them.
God is unpredictable – not in an unreliable or a fickle, indecisive way, but in a surprising, controlled and fantastic way. Consider even one aspect of God, such as Provider. He can provide in countless ways, and we are never sure which He will choose, but, if we hold on to His promises, we can be sure that He will provide! The Spirit surprises us as well. This is why we must listen intently and intentionally to what He has to say. Does He want you to speak or to be silent? Does He want you to go out or stay home? Does He want you share what you received from Him or to hold it in your heart and pray? If we listen, we will find the Spirit speaking and directing all the time. Let us allow Him to lead.
PRAYER MEDITATION
1. Take a few moments to memorize this verse. Maybe you even want to put it up somewhere where you will frequently see it.2. How do you know that you need to implement this verse into your life? Are there specific areas where you know you are not completely in step with the Spirit? Talk with Him about it.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about your life. What does He want from you in the next moments? What about today, or this next month, or for the next year. Ask Him to tune your ears to Him.
