The Dale e-Devotional is an outgrowth of Steve Rose's acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior on October 1, 1991. This devotional began as a daily note from Steve to his brother Dale, who made a decision to become a follower of Christ in '07. Today, many people read this devotional which is designed to help anyone wherever they may be in their walk of faith. We hope you enjoy your Dale e-Devotional!
Friday
Living By the Spirit’s Power (Part 3)
“But when you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, hatred, fighting, jealousy, anger…envy, drunkenness and wild parties.” Galatians 5:19-20
Our series entitled “Living By the Spirit’s Power” is now entering its third part. Be bold and out of denial when reading the two passages here that give us a glimpse of the monsters that we are. One may say, “Oh c’mon now…we can’t be that bad on our own.” Well…we are. As discussed last time even when we do thing right thing it is usually based out of fear. In Christ we do the right things and enter into God’s rest and service because of who God is and what He has done for us through Christ Jesus. Take a look at the dirty laundry list that makes up this collection of sin. Can you find a few of your specialties? When we are honest we can acknowledge that we can fall into occasional traps for any and all of them. Okay I will let you maybe rule out the “drunkenness and wild parties.” But we all suffer from envy and idolatry. Let’s remember that idolatry is anything that can unrightfully take the place of God. This can be a regular habit (sports, hunting or bowling) or anything that we deem more important than God. Now…we can be cut some slack as we are reminded again that we are human. The key to living the Christian life is first to know Christ as Savior. Two, get to know Him through the word of God and…Three, seek Him in disciplined prayer. If we can do these things we can win the battle against all these sins from the outside that want to come pressing down on us. When and if you do…you have just become “good news!” ?
Blessings,
steve
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Thursday
Living By the Spirit’s Power (Part 2)
“When you are guided by the Holy Spirit you need no longer force yourself to obey Jewish laws.” Galatians 5:18
This is part 2 of this series where we first were confronted with the fact that as human beings we “know better” as far as what we are supposed to be doing, but it does not always show in our actions when the time to execute “doing the right thing” is concerned. As my Pastor Kathi Rose says, “People do who they are…not what they know.” How many thousands of commands and or suggestions do we give our children or friends…all the while we cannot do what we are asking others to do? I can tell you as a public speaker that it works much better for me when I can “practice what I preach” and “walk the talk.” So the scripture today tells us that it is only when we are under the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit of God that we can begin to even consider living a godly life. Is it possible to do the right thing outside of God? Yeah…unfortunately one can. I have seen many people who are not born-again believers in Jesus Christ do the right things and be people of integrity. The trouble is they are living under the “law” and there motive to do so is out of fear of breaking man’s laws not Gods. Christianity is the only grace and mercy-based religion in the world which says, “You need do nothing but accept the gift of eternal life.” There is nothing you can do to earn it. Accept Jesus Christ today or recommit your life to God and then be guided by His Holy Spirit. And when you do you’ll receive more “good news!”
Blessings!
steve
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Wednesday
Living By the Spirit’s Power (Part 1)
“For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires.” Galatians 5:17
We will embark on a four-part series of sobering verses that will describe the heart and heated battles of being in the “flesh” which we have studied so we trust you know what this means. In this series we will talk about why it is so difficult to carry out the tasks of the will of God the Father. I love what my wife Kathi says. “People do who they are not what they know.” What a true statement! Let’s begin with the opening of this verse which reveals us as ones who, “Love to do evil things that are just the opposite of the things that the Holy Spirit tell us to do.” I feel the key word here is naturally. The root of naturally is natural…and we have learned from some great mentors and theologians of God’s word that a “natural” man (or woman) is one who is not in the “Spirit”…that is being directed by the Spirit of God. And when this is the case…it is easy to not be able to follow the Lord’s will for our lives…but when our spirit listens to Gods? Well then we have the power. Remember that song that sings, “I go the power!” And as much as I want to tell you that I am in the power as a born-again believer can I confess that if I get caught listening to the enemy of my soul for too long…I can and will sin. But the conviction of this sin pulls me back to God…I repent and head back to the Cross of Christ and I am restored over and over again…as often as need be. But let’s not let our hearts get hardened by repeated sin or we may not make it back. L But for now…you are certainly and prayerfully headed to more “good news!”
Blessings!
steve
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Tuesday
The Bible is Not to Be Understood Just Obeyed
“Let God be true and every man a liar. God’s words will always prove true and right no matter who questions them.” Romans 3:4
I know it is easy to want to “question” the word of God…especially those verses that we don’t understand… or call us out of our own areas of personally chosen darkness. It is not important for us to “understand” God’s word, what is important is to “obey” it. Do you recall when you were raising your children how they were perplexed when you gave words of protection and laid out clear boundaries for their protection and how this made them rebel? Did it make your commands any less true? And the answer is “Of course not.” God wants what is best for you and He does the same. And so we go in faith that His word can be trusted and we do not listen to man who says that Jesus was a wacko or that the book was just “written by people.” One of the many truths in the Bible makes it very clear that the Holy Spirit of God gave the words of scripture to prophets, many who were ordinary people just like you and me. And if we can take the Bible to be truth…well then, us, the “ordinary” can do “extraordinary” things that will get the attention of the people around us…and please the Lord. And won’t that be “Good News?”
Blessings!
steve
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Monday
Love Others as You Would Yourself
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love others as you love yourself.’” Galatians 5:14
As human beings living in the “flesh”…it is very easy to not want to have focus put on anyone, but ourselves. As a review…the things of the “flesh” are all those things that are outside the spirit of the living God. And until we come to a perfect reconciliation with God the Father through Christ…then we are in the “flesh.” We fool ourselves by thinking our intentions are good and that we can love everyone outside of the Lord, but this is not true at all. Until we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and surrender to Him…we cannot know how to love anyone other than ourselves. Now although this passage is from Galatians and in the New Testament where we are under “grace” the whole “law” in the Old Testament could be summed up by telling us to, “Love others as you love yourself.” Again, this is not possible until we allow the Holy Spirit to have us and we are regenerated through His power. I don’t claim to have the full revelation of this verse but I know you can call on the One who does…His name is Jesus…and if you do call on His name you shall be saved and the “good news” will find you!
Blessings!
steve
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