Posts Tagged ‘ a simple man of God ’
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3, ESV
Our inclination is to help ourselves or to help others to feel good about ourselves, but the Holy Spirit changes our thinking and inclinations to care more for others for God’s glory.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4, ESV
We want to handle things in this life on our own, but when we let the Holy Spirit guide our prayers and lead us to trust that God is in control – even to correct us in our sin – we find the peace of His power and guidance.
pray without ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV
We can talk about our thoughts and interests all day. We think about things all day.
Let us open ourselves to the Holy Spirit guiding those thoughts into prayers to God so that we think more like Him.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:4, ESV
We like to think we understand this world and life, but it is God alone who knows everything and has the power to grant us eternal life.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1, ESV
We like to think we know what is best for our lives. Instead, we should follow Christ and His teachings, the Holy Spirit guiding our lives in all truth and grace into sacrificial love.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9, ESV
We either complain that God is not doing enough to stop evil or is too mean to those who choose not to believe Him.
Yet we see God’s grace in waiting to end this world for the sake of those who will yet believe before He finally returns to punish all wickedness.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12, ESV
We do wrestle against our own fleshly desires, but our war is not against each other. We rely on the Holy Spirit to change us, change others, and fight against spiritual attacks in the name of Jesus.
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13, ESV
We naturally want to rebel against God, but His Holy Spirit works in us to transform us into Christ’s likeness to do His will. H takes great pleasure in seeing us obey, not merely because He has moved our will to His but because we want to out of love as we see the good changes happening within.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
1 Peter 3:15, ESV
We like to know we’re right, but even if we are right there is a right and wrong way to express truth.
We must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth, to study the truth of God’s Word, and to share the truth with grace, compassion, gentleness, and respect to the glory of God.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:7-8, ESV
God knows what we need, so we do not need to try to please Him with many words or flowery speech. He lives in us by the Holy Spirit, so He helps us to ask.
a simple man of God 