Daily Devotion 
Sunday, March 22
 
Will I Bring Myself Up to This Level?
 
. . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God -2 Corinthians 7:1
 
Therefore, having these promises. . . ." I claim God's promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God's perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit," or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19 ). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19 ). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not "confer with flesh and blood," but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16 ). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.

I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5 ). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived-a level of perfect submission to His Father's will- where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?

Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life

 
~ My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Bible in One Year:   Joshua 10-12; Luke 1:39-56

Praying God's Word Day-by-Day
 
~  Never will He hold your hand more tightly than when He is leading you through the dark. ~
 
Father, You looked down from Your sanctuary on high, from heaven You viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those who were condemned to death (Psalm 102:19-20).
 
Lord, Jesus, in Your name and authority, I say to the devil, "Do not gloat over me, my enemy!  Though I have fallen, I will rise.  Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.  I have sinned, but Christ bore my wrath on the cross.  He pleads my case and establishes my right.  He will bring me out into the light, and I will see his righteousness.  Then you, my enemy, will see it and be covered with shame" (Micah 7:8-10).
mrslauri@sbcglobal.net