March 23rd, 2022
by Jerry Tyson
by Jerry Tyson
As I write this, Easter is right around the corner and things are getting busier and busier now. For me personally, when I'm in the midst of a busy season, it seems like I have less time to get centered and grounded before I launch off into the day. I have found for me that launching into my day without some sort of time to focus tends to leave me susceptible to getting "knocked off balance" and lose perspective.
Sometimes getting centered is just that – taking a moment or two to be still before the Lord. A daily bible reading plan is a great way to spend that time, but praying and giving up your day to the Lord is essential.
Its easy to live each day out of our own wisdom and strength instead of relying on the One who made us. I have been relearning this lately. There is an art to resting in the Lord and better learning how to discern whose voice I’m paying attention to. One way to do this is to test and approve as Romans 12:1-2 instructs us. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
How can we do this? Test your "mind chatter" against the fruits of the spirit. Is what I’m hearing coming from the Spirit of God or myself? Is what I’m about to say or do inspired by the Word of God or from my self interest? What are the fruits or the attributes of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law.”
The following verse is also a great reminder. It says “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
So when I’m walking through my day and I begin to feel off-centered, I test my thoughts and actions against what the bible teaches about the fruits of the Spirit. If what you are testing doesn’t come from any of the “fruits” then you can be sure that it is not from the Lord.
How are you getting centered before you jump into your day?
Whose voice are you listening to?
Sometimes getting centered is just that – taking a moment or two to be still before the Lord. A daily bible reading plan is a great way to spend that time, but praying and giving up your day to the Lord is essential.
Its easy to live each day out of our own wisdom and strength instead of relying on the One who made us. I have been relearning this lately. There is an art to resting in the Lord and better learning how to discern whose voice I’m paying attention to. One way to do this is to test and approve as Romans 12:1-2 instructs us. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
How can we do this? Test your "mind chatter" against the fruits of the spirit. Is what I’m hearing coming from the Spirit of God or myself? Is what I’m about to say or do inspired by the Word of God or from my self interest? What are the fruits or the attributes of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law.”
The following verse is also a great reminder. It says “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
So when I’m walking through my day and I begin to feel off-centered, I test my thoughts and actions against what the bible teaches about the fruits of the Spirit. If what you are testing doesn’t come from any of the “fruits” then you can be sure that it is not from the Lord.
How are you getting centered before you jump into your day?
Whose voice are you listening to?
Posted in Devotionals
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