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Thoughts Archived > Life In The Spirit

Scriptures August 3, 2008
3 Aug 2008

  


 


Scriptures


August 3, 2008


"Life In The Spirit"


 


"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you  through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.  But God put into effect a different plan to save us.  He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.  God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.  He did this so that the the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.


Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Holy Spirit.  If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death.  But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.  For the sinful nature is always hostile to God.  It never did obey God's laws, and it never will.  That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.    


But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)  Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.


So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoeverto do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish.  But if through the power of the Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.


So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves.  You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family - calling him' Father, dear Father".  For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children.  And since we are his children, we will share his treasures - for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too.  But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering."


Romans 8:1-17 NLT 


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Psalm 34


NLT











1 I will praise the LORD at all times.

  I will constantly speak his praises.

2 I will boast only in the LORD;

  let all who are discouraged take heart.

3 Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;

  let us exalt his name together.



4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me,

  freeing me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;

  no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 I cried out to the LORD in my suffering,
and he heard me.                              He set me free from all my fears.                                                                                          For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him,

   and he rescues them.



8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.

  Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!

9 Let the LORD's people show him reverence,

  for those who honor him will have all they need.

10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,

  but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.



11 Come, my children, and listen to me,

  and I will teach you to fear the LORD.

12 Do any of you want to live a life

  that is long and good?

13 Then watch your tongue!

  Keep your lips from telling lies!

14 Turn away from evil and do good.

  Work hard at living in peace with others.



15 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right;

  his ears are open to their cries for help.

16 But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;

  he will erase their memory from the earth.

17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.

  He rescues them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

  he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.



19 The righteous person faces many troubles,

  but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.

20 For the LORD protects them from harm -

  not one of their bones will be broken!



21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,

  and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22 But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.

  Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.


 


 


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Let us Pray


Dear God, I don't know how to pray or what to pray for....you know my heart.  Please... won't you send Holy Spirit to pray for me...with me?  Make my heart right, so that I may be fully one with you.  Thank you.  I believe that you, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, will help me because I have asked you to in the innocence and fullness of my heart.  And that you give all good things to those who ask who are trying to keep their eyes and hearts focused on you.  I want you to be in me, so that I can be one with you.  I'd like to get to know you better even though I already love you, Lord, for forgiving me of my sins and offering me eternal life, if I but obey you.  Thank you for helping me along lifes way.  It means the world to me.  Help me now, Lord, to do what you need me to do for you.  Help me to be your heart in the world, with my family, in my home, with my friends, with those I don't know, and with my enemies.  With all creatures in the world.  We are all one in you, Lord.  Protect us all.  Keep us safe.  Teach us to love better.  Loving you.  Amen.


 

Bible Authors and Minister