Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
My Lunch and Learn Bible study today had to do with using God’s name and authority rightly. The concept of God’s people rejoicing in the Name of the Lord, trusting that they can receive what they pray for, was central. Really? We can pray for what we want and God will do it?
Yes, absolutely, provided we are praying within God’s will. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, we ask that God’s will should be done. God is most certainly able to accomplish His will.
This brings us to Galatians 5:16. As we walk in the Spirit we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. When we are set apart for God’s purpose and our desires and affections are wrapped up in what He has said, rather than what we may desire, we’ll end up doing God’s will. We will be transformed into instruments of God’s will rather t han remaining instruments of our will, working out our fallen nature.
Wait a minute! As I’m writing this post, I’m sitting on a metal bench at a table outside on campus. There’s no back support. My shoulders are starting to scream at me. There’s a chilly, damp wind blowing and my fingers are getting pretty numb. I’m not complaining, but I’m looking forward to seeking out some comfort. When I leave this location, I’ll also probably get something to eat and drink. Is that a plan to gratify the desires of the flesh? Am I threatening to stop walking in the Spirit?
I sure hope not. The Lord gives us comforts, food, drink, rest, and shelter. Those are good things. They are gifts of God. Yet, even as we enjoy them, we need to be aware that they are gifts. We give thanks to the Lord who provided those things. And we enjoy them. They are good. We rightly want them. However, we are not to sin in order to get them, nor to sin when we don’t get them. This goes for all sorts of pleasures. Our desires are to be subordinate to God’s will. He is the Lord who provides our needs. We don’t take things into our own hands. We also don’t scoff at the good our Lord has provided. Rather, we delight in the Lord and return thanks to Him.
Walk in the Spirit! It’s the place to be.
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