You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?  Galatians 5:7

How sad is that?  Hey you were off to a great start but something happened, something hindered you.  Did you know that God has a plan for our lives that are full of promise, blessing, a future and a hope?  Sometimes we are in process to some of those things but we never finish to the end.  Something hinders us.  What are things that keep you and I from obeying the truth?  Is it our insecurities?  Past failures?  Lack of Faith?  Trust?  Whatever it may have been, start over today and keep running!

It is amazing to think that you and I can live victoriously in Christ because He has set us FREE!  He has given us liberty to walk in the Spirit.  I had a conversation with a person a while ago about the freedom we have in Christ.  We had talked about being free in Christ and what it meant.  What it does not mean is this:  because I am a Christian and Christ has set me free, then I can choose to do whatever I want.  That is abusing the grace of God and this person is not truly free.  You can always do whatever you want but that is not how Christ wants us to live.  If  we continue to make decisions with that mindset we then live in the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 says,

“¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Now if you truly are free, then you live for Christ and others ahead of yourself.  Freedom costs!  It may not cost you or I anything but it costs somebody something sometime and someplace.  For Christians it cost Jesus Christ everything over 2000 years ago on a Cross.  Because it is no longer I who lives but Christ in me, I live in that freedom.  I live freely saved by grace.  If I am free then I live in the Spirit, not the flesh.

Look here at what Galatians 5:22-26 says…

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Let me encourage you today to let go of the flesh and live in the Spirit!   When you live in the sprit you are going to bear the fruit of the Spirit.  If you go read Matthew chapter 7 you will see a theme repeating itself that I will outline for you.

• narrow gate is difficult but lead to life, wide gate is broad and leads to destruction
• good fruit, bad fruit
• house built on rock, house built on sand

There is so much to discuss on Matthew 7.  Read it and lets discuss it together!

Until next time, let go and let God.  Be FREE and walk in the Spirit!

In His Mighty Grip,

Mark

http://marksalazar.org

Tonight I was presented with an opportunity to shine. One of our Assistant Coaches on my sons’ football team just lost it and started swearing and using God’s name as a swear word to the kids.  It was obviously inappropriate and it dawned on me, this is my opportunity to shine light in darkness. So I considered what to say and shared in a nice way my concerns about the influence they (the coaches) had over our kids. I also shared that using God’s name like he did was not something I want my 10 year old sons to be around. 

We will see what happens in the coming days. In a world full of darkness we have more opportunities to shine than we may realize. I am grateful I was able to shine in this one. How much light are you shining in our dark world?

I have a new blog page set up to share thoughts and devotions.  I hope you find it encouraging!

In His Mighty Grip,

Mark

http://marksalazar.org

We talked about how all of creation sings the praises of God.  The Heavens declare his glory.  The whole earth is filled with it.  We talked about how even if no one praises God that the rocks would cry out – the rocks – cry out the praises of His glory.

It was such an overwhelming thought to me that throughout this beautiful day that we had in San Diego – that although the worship service was over and football was on – that somehow through it all – even as we just walked around in creation – that worship could and would continue, even if I wasn’t worshipping.  That’s very humbling to me.

I pray that you guys have a great week.  I pray that you guys would sing the songs that we have sung today in church, but more importanty, I pray that you learn to hear and sing the praises that the rocks and the heavens cry out.

Lem Usita – http://identityspecialist.wordpress.com