22
Apr '21
Fruit of The Spirit
22
Apr '21
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Our Lord Jesus calls those blessed who hunger and thirst after righteousness. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
It means to desire, above all things, to be wholly conformed to the mind of God.
Have you ever looked at what the fruit of the Spirit produces in us— really looked at it?
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
God’s Spirit in us is cultivating and producing “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness…” The Spirit is producing in us the very character of God. The Spirit of God is wholly conforming us to the mind and will of God.
Is it any wonder then that “smart,” “important,” “comfortable,” and “successful” didn’t make the fruit of the Spirit?
The things we spend most of our time, effort, and treasures pursuing, are not on the list.
We thirst for importance. We hunger for success. We strive to be comfortable. We want to feel and be seen as intelligent. And yet, none of these things will satisfy us. None of these things will bring us closer to God. None of these things will conform us to the mind and will of God.
Those who thirst and hunger for righteousness want to be “holy as God is holy.” Our Lord says “blessed” are these people. They thirst and hunger now, but one day they will have enough; they will “wake up after God’s likeness and be satisfied” (Psalm 17:15).
What are you thirsting for today? Where is your hunger leading you?
Your prayer today, “Lord conform me to your image. Quench my thirst with love, joy, peace, forbearance, and kindness…quiet my hunger with goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray you are encouraged to seek God to quench your thirst and quiet your hunger.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
14
Jan '21
Hunger and Thirst
14
Jan '21
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Do you ever wonder why life isn’t like a Hallmark movie? Do you ever wish it was? Things always seem to work out perfectly for the characters in those movies. But that isn’t life.
Life is tough sometimes. And when you seek the wrong things, it just leaves you wanting more to fill the void.
However, God’s word tells us that when we give thanks to Him and turn our hearts to Him, we find fulfillment. His word is His love letter to us. It is living and new every day.
He wants you to invest time in it. He wants to meet your heart’s desires at the deepest level of your soul. God’s presence is always with you. His ways are higher than your ways. To know Him, you must spend time with Him.
What are you thirsting for? Spend time with the living God of the universe and thirst no more. He desires to spend time with you!
After reading this devotion it reminded me of something I read, “There’s a whole new frontier laid out in front of you and me. It’s called 2021. It’s a good land, filled with opportunity and good things”. What am I thirsting for? Answer that question as you venture out into this new frontier called 2021.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!