Discovering what love is one day at a time
Quench: to put out: extinguish…to reduce to silence or ineffectiveness… Ignite: to give life or energy... Have you ever noticed that when a person chooses to be passive or negligent in an area of their spiritual walk(myself included) the tendency is to then follow after the flesh and not the Spirit? In any conflict, where someone may feel inadequate due to another’s choice to be true to God, they may tend to protect themselves due to the conviction of the Holy Spirit in their heart. Possibly hastily covering and hiding behind an attitude, or a behavior, that builds walls in relationships. It is like a lion that bites and devours its prey…Sometimes this lion just throws the other person under the bus, to protect themselves. No matter the situation, it is important for us to recognize that hiding isn’t true worship. We are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. If we are worshiping in Truth, we are naked an unashamed before Him. We come to Him bare, no games, and no ifs and’s or buts’… Nothing is hidden.
We each have our own walk with God, it is important that in the Body of Christ we stay committed to the walk He has laid out before us. To love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we love ourselves more than we love our neighbor, chances are we are going to be the one to throw our sisters and brothers under the bus, we will be like the lion that eats its prey by biting and devouring the flesh, tearing at it with its teeth and claws. And yet, if we are submitted to the Lord's calling, to truly love Him, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, we will walk in the Spirit, and will quench the power of lions… We must recognize the fruit of walking in the flesh response (carnally minded), which is death, but the truth is if we are spiritually minded is life and peace. As believers/followers of Christ we must choose where we want to stand…in the flesh…or in the Spirit. We must make up our minds. I found an example of this in the book of Daniel, Chapter 6. Daniel was one of three governors under King Darius, and he distinguished himself above the other governors and satraps because of the excellent spirit that was in him. The King thought to set him over the whole realm. Because of this the other governors and satraps looked to find some charge or fault, but couldn’t because he was faithful. Can you imagine this? Can you imagine even the conviction by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who were serving the king, but were just doing what they needed to do to maintain their position with the King? I recognize that the other governors and satraps were not lovers of God, but I also recognize that God still loved them. Daniel was more concerned about His relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, knowing that if that relationship was first the others would fall into place. Daniel did not walk in fear of man, but he had a holy reverent fear of God. Daniel was never negligent, nor passive, and he was a man that walked in honor to all. Daniel made his mind up to serve God with everything he had. If we quench the Spirit we ignite the mouths of lions…but if we walk in the Spirit we quench the power of lions.
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AuthorI have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. We have two young men ages 25 and 20.. This blog is somewhat of a journal and attempt for me to remind myself of my purpose and invite others to join me in keeping an eternal perspective as we move through each day. Archives
May 2023
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