Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
Thanks to Richard Giesken, NTC Lecturer for writing this devotional.
You are welcome to share this and include in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author.
Thank you!
Romans 8:1-11
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Devotional
“What do you want?” Sounds like a simple question, right? Until you must answer it! The answer really depends on the situation, the mood, the moment. It is a question that Jesus often asked people who came to him for help. In asking the question, Jesus challenged the seeker to move beyond the immediacy of the moment. If this need is met, what is next, and then what?
Steven Reiss developed a theory of desire based on research that involved 6000 people. They were asked a series of questions that explored their motivational needs – “What makes you happy?” From the research he identified 16 essential needs, or “desires” which drive all human beings. From the need for food to the need for social significance, these basic desires shape who we are. Most of the list are hard wired into human DNA.
Romans 5:8 echoes the challenge of Moses to the people of Israel as they stood on the verge of the promised land. “… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). These passages suggest that we can choose to live beyond our programmed responses which so often seem to have become scrambled by Sin & Death. Our basic “desires” which lie buried deep beneath our consciousness control our choices. Only by reprogramming those desires can we break free from their destructive grip. We need help from outside ourselves to do this.
Through Christ, God has defeated Sin & Death. As we surrender to the Spirit and experience the transformational power of being “in Christ” our desires become aligned with the Spirit, and our choices are freed toward God’s desires. This oneness with God generates life not only in us, but also towards others.
Prayer
Our Father, we yield to your desire today, to be shaped by what you know is good. Teach us your way and infuse us with your Spirit that we may live like Christ in this world. May our minds be set on your love. May our hearts be shaped by your compassion. May our hand be moved by your kindness toward all. May your kingdom come in us. Amen