Beyond A Devotional

Monday - The Power of Impartation Perhaps like many other people, you make bold resolutions whenever a new year rolls around. You make plans about changes you want to experience in the coming year. But it's not long until you let go of those great resolutions. As Christians, we're often defeated in day-to-day living because we don't truly realize how many resources God has placed in our spiritual account. A lot of times we pray,God, help me; give me this, give me that.Meanwhile, God is saying,Will you please go check your account? I've deposited more than you could ever use. Check it out. Can you imagine a soldier trying to fight a battle with no ammunition while he's sitting on a bunker filled with thousands and thousands of rounds of ammo, more than he could use in a thousand wars? He has more than he needs right under himwhile trying to fight the battle without it. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under therequirementsof the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God'sgrace.... You are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. ROMANS 6:14, 22 NLT The reasons for our defeats in battles with sin and temptation lie largely in our ignorance of the facts. In Jesus Christ we have the power to live a new life and to no longer be under sin's control. That power is not in imitation; the power comes from impartation. We can try our hardest to imitate Jesus and to be like Him, but we will never succeed by our own efforts. Victory comes only as He imparts His life in us through His Spirit. And we'll see how many resources He's made fully available to us through His Spirit living inside us. God has done something for you, and now it's for you to appropriate that divine provision. THE LORD'S INVITATION TO HIS PEOPLE Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. EPHESIANS 4:24 ESV WITH GOD IN PRAYER Thank Him that in Christ Jesus you're now free from slavery to sin and that by His grace you can live in victory. MOVE BEYOND DEFEAT Be bold and confident in the Lord's power to help you overcome temptation and sin. In what area of life does He want you to grow today in righteousness and purity, by His power? Your own reflections...personal application... personal prayer points... U E S D A Y Tuesday - Through the Storm Sometimes we may think that when we're in the will of God, our lives should be smooth sailing. But many times it's just the opposite. Doors slam in our faces. Obstacles appear in our paths. Storms arise that threaten to drive us off course. That's why we need to remember there's a devil who wants to stop us from doing what God wants us to do. As Paul pressed forward to do the will of God, he hit some tough times. For example, while he was being taken across the sea to Rome, a massive storm arose that caused others on the ship to despair of their lives. But there was no obstacle big enough to stop Paul. He always seemed to rise above his circumstances. As he endured the storm, he knew God had shown him what to do, and he would let nothing deter him from his course. So takecourage! For I believe God. It will be just ashesaid. ACTS 27:25 NLT Often when a hard time hits, when a crisis hits, when a tragedy hits, we want out. We ask God for an airlift out of our problems. But many times God wants us to learn in the midst of those difficultiesand to learn especially about His love for us: Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute,Laurie, Greg is the author of 'Beyond A Devotional', published 2007 under ISBN 9781590528310 and ISBN 159052831X.