This morning the Lord showed me something that made me smile. As I was driving in the morning traffic, watching everyone drive into work, I believe the Lord showed me a sliver of how everyone serves his purposes whether they know it or not. In order to survive, almost everyone has to in some way give to others. The "work" that people do is in essence service to others that's paid for, but it's service one way or another. The lesson here is that we have been created to give. We have value on this earth as long as we have something to give to someone. This is one of many reasons why there's never a reason for a person to commit suicide. There's always something a person can do to benefit another person in some way, however insignificant it may seem to us. In today's "me" world, even the smallest acts of giving to another in some unselfish way are tremendously meaningful. Giving in a society that's all about conquering and devouring is a magnified act that really shines. Because of the deep darkness of the world we live in, the smallest of lights shines like the sun. The way of the Lord is light. The Lord instructs us that we must be fruitful or we will be cutoff. We must "bear fruit."
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Ephesians 5
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Colossians 1:10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Be Anxious For Nothing
5 years ago
