Defeating Fear - The Power Of The Flesh - With Love - The Power Of The Spirit

My Utmost For His Highest

 

…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… —Joshua 24:15

 

“The best thing to do is to remember what you did before when you were touched by God. Recall the moment when you were saved, or first recognized Jesus, or realized some truth. It was easy then to yield your allegiance to God. […] “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….” Your choice must be a deliberate determination— it is not something into which you will automatically drift. […] the people around us seem to become more and more isolated, and that is where the tension develops. […] Openly declare to Him, “I will be faithful.” But remember that as soon as you choose to be faithful to Jesus Christ, “You are witnesses against yourselves…” (Joshua 24:22). […] simply and freely declare before Him, “I will serve You.”” CHAMBERS

 

Human nature, our old nature, is such an odd but powerful thing.  Even though we know the right thing to do, we choose the wrong thing.  I see it in my life and in the lives of others.  Even though we have the Spirit of God in us, our old nature thrives.  Paul asked in Romans 7 “Who will save us from this body of death?”  It really does get down to a choice on our part.  Do I surrender to the Spirit or to my flesh.  The power of the flesh is fear.  The power of the Spirit is love.  This is not a problem for those who have not been reborn.  They don’t have a choice.  They have not been sealed for heaven by the Holy Spirit.  But for the Saints, we will spend our lives learning that choosing Jesus is always better.  (Galatians 5:24) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” That sounds like a "for all time thing" doesn’t it?  Well, it is actually, but it is also  a daily thing.  Jesus said to pick up our crosses  - daily.  (Luke 9:23) We don’t make a decision on Sunday and ride on that decision until the next Sunday. Every day you must decide whom you will serve.  Every day.

 

Are you having problems serving Jesus and not your old nature?  It takes the full armor of God to live this new life.  Neglect it and you will surely fail.  (Ephesians 6:10-18) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” I see that it is about time to get suited up for the day.   CHARLEY

 

I Will Serve Thee – Gaithers

 

“I will serve You because I love You,  You have given life to me

I was nothing before You found me, You have given life to me

 

Heartaches, broken pieces, Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary

Your touch was what I longed for, You have given life to me”