Forty Days of Peace: Day 25

Monday, September 21, 2020

Peace with Others

Obeying God’s Word Brings Peace

Please read Romans 8:5-11

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Today, we are entering a new place in our journey, one that focuses on peace with others. What is one way in which we will experience peace with others? Simply put, peace with others comes through obeying God’s word. When we live in obedience to the Lord’s commands, blessings of peace will blossom, both emotionally and relationally. The adverse thought is true as well: when we live in disobedience, inner and outer turmoil take over. OUCH! We reap what we sow.

Our passage today says it well: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (v. 5-6). These are convicting words in one way, and comforting words in another. The question is, what will we do with these words? We have this choice each and every day. Will we obey them by setting our minds on the Spirit? Honestly some days it’s just a very tough decision.The flesh wants what it wants but the Spirit of God wants what is best. If we do choose to follow the Spirit, what is the promise that we will receive? Life and peace. Who doesn’t want life and peace? If we make the choice to follow our flesh, can you think of some of the outcomes that have played out in your own life? Again, we reap what we sow- such powerful words we teach our children but so very true.

God’s Spirit is alive within all believers. We are told in scripture to not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Often, our fleshly desires do this very thing. Focusing on self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored (v. 7-8, the Message). Again, these words are convicting if we are living according to the flesh, but comforting is we are embracing the Spirit that lives within us! I’ll say it another time, we reap what we sow.

Today, let’s recommit to live according to the Spirit. First, let’s lay down fleshly thoughts that most often lead to fleshly actions. Like I mentioned before - easier said than done, but let’s try this. Then, let’s listen to the Spirit within us. The best way I know to do this is through quiet prayer. Still your hearts, bodies, and minds and just listen. Ladies, He is longing to bear His fruit through us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Meditate on this and let’s pray about what “seeds” we can throw out to others that line up with these attributes of the Spirit? Is the Spirit nudging you to reconnect with someone that may need to hear a kind word from you? Is it possible there areas in your life where you are feeling a little “fleshly” and not very obedient… maybe patience or self- control? Think about these fruits and where they are evident in your life. Ask Him to grow you in these areas. Today, Let’s CHOOSE to obey because….One last time, we reap what we sow.

For further reading : Hosea 10:12-13; Galatians 6:6-10

Heavenly Father,

Help us to see You are always leading us in the best way possible. Our fleshly desires ultimately end in death. Give us hearts and minds stayed on You that want to be obedient. We want life and peace, not death and unrest in our souls. We want what we sow to be obedience to You. Father, we admit we cannot do this on our own : We NEED You each and every day. Grow Your fruits in us so they may be evident in our lives. Use our lives to make others hungry to know You and be obedient to your calling. Lastly Father, thank You that Your Spirit dwells in our heats and we are not stuck in the world to figure it out on our own. Amen