Day 231 | Thursday, 5 November 2020

Day 231 - Audio Version

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Day 231 | Thursday, 5 November 2020

Galatians 5:22-25 CEB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 

The Message:
22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,

23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.

24 Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good - crucified.

25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
 
The following is taken from The Upper Room for November 4, 2020
 
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” 5:25
 
A Spiritual Plumb by Domingos Jose’ Cazombo (Lauanda, Angola)
 
“When I was a teenager, my father often took me to help him in his trade, bricklaying.  While helping him, the instruments that most fascinated me were the plumb and the level.  A plumb is a type of pendulum, and a level is a kind of ruler with a reservoir filled with liquid.  We would use the plumb to make sure the wall was aligned vertically and the level to make sure it was aligned horizontally.”

“Both instruments are crucial in determining the alignment of a house or wall.  A structure must have good vertical and horizontal alignments in order to remain standing for a long time.  If either alignment is ignored, a structure cannot withstand temperature changes, strong winds or water.”

“We can think about our relationships in similar terms.  Our relationship with God shapes the kind of relationships we have with others.  And we need a spiritual plumb and level to help us remain in right relationship with God and others.  The word of God, prayer, and remaining in communion with Christ act as our plumb and level and help keep us aligned.”
 
“Prayer:  Blessed God, we recognize your call to love our neighbors.  Help us to see you in those around us and to strengthen our relationship with others and with you.  Amen”
 
Focus: Bricklayers (and other leaders who need a plumb and level)