Today, let's reflect on which parts of our actions, emotions, physical practices, and spiritual disciplines are nourishing and strengthening us.
The passage for today reminds us that our choices have a direct correlation with the outcomes we experience. Neglecting our relationships, physical abilities, emotional balance, mental health, and spiritual maturity can lead to deterioration in these areas.
When we prioritize engaging in regular physical activity, we strengthen our hearts and muscles, optimize our oxygen uptake, and release "feel good" hormones. It's even better when we do it with a team or partner as it strengthens our social ties.
Taking time for reflection, prayer, and daily Bible study helps align our hearts, spirits, and minds with God. Just a few minutes a day can significantly transform and enrich the rest of our daily relationships and activities.
When we gather with other believers for worship and study, we strengthen our network of support and realize that we are not alone.
On the other hand, if we choose to live by our impulsive desires or natural ways, anger, envy, and strife are likely to rise up in our lives, no matter how much we try to hide them.
If we choose to follow the Spirit's way and resist our impulsive need for instant gratification, we will experience positive outcomes. Love, joy, faithfulness, and self-control will be evident in our actions and attitudes.
If we are unsure about choosing the way of the Spirit, we can start with honesty. We can ask God to reveal to us the transformational impact of living by the laws of His Kingdom and to give us the strength to choose Him in every decision, both big and small.
Our spiritual journey with God is a journey, not a destination. Each day presents us with challenges and opportunities to silence our own desires and choose God's way.
What decision have you made today that indicates a desire to follow the Spirit? Have you made any decisions that catered to your own desires? What outcomes have you experienced as a result of your decisions?
In what area do you need God's power to overcome? What verses have you read recently that remind you of His mercy and forgiveness when you fall? Can you think of one tangible way to focus on God's promises and not your weaknesses?
Galatians 5: 16-24
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
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