Thursday August 30, 2012

What is a persistent sin in your life stopping you from walking with Jesus? Find someone to confess to and pray with today.

 

Read Ephesians 5:1-16 and Galatians 5:13-26

 

Did you get a chance to watch the race-walking at the Olympics this year? The athletes walk up to 50 kilometres, being careful to not break strict rules about the way they walk. The Olympic world record for the 50km walk is just over 3 hours. Can you imagine having to maintain a consistent rhythm and style as you walk at top speed for hours on end?

 

We are called to walk in our faith in much the same way, with persistence and focus. Unlike the Olympic athletes however, we are given great grace with how we walk. God doesn’t require us to keep the rules to be saved. Instead God’s presence in our lives transforms us to be more like him and enables us to have a spiritual walk that reflects Jesus well.

 

In Galatians 5 Paul commands us to walk by the spirit. As we walk in the spirit and allow God to work in our lives we will no longer satisfy the flesh and see its acts in our lives. Instead we will grow in the fruit of the spirit.

 

Have a look over the list of the acts of the flesh in verses 19 to 21. Can you identify any of these in your life? Spend a moment to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to convict you and show you how you may be satisfying the flesh in your life.

 

In the same way have a read over the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22 and 23. How can you see that the Holy Spirit is working to produce this fruit in your life? How can you grow in living this fruit in all of your life?

 

In Ephesians 5 Paul commands us to follow God’s example and to walk in the way of love. Paul then goes on to describe improper acts for those who are seeking to walk in the way of love. Look over the list in verses 3 to 7 and pray that the Holy Spirit would convict you of areas of you life where you are walking in the flesh rather in God’s example.

 

If (and when) you have been convicted of sin today remember that all is not lost! Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is enough to cover all past, present and future sin and to make us right again with God. In His great grace He is also transforming us to be more like Him. Respond today by confessing your sins to another mature Christian and praying together (James 5:16) as you seek to walk in the spirit and in love.

 

Prayer:

As you find another mature Christian to pray with and confess to today spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks together before praying these and any other points your brother or sister wants prayer for. Write down your points.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¨ Pray that those in the church would be convicted of sin today, would confess to and pray for each other and would seek to walk in the spirit and walk in  the way of love.

¨ Pray that the Youth would be blessed and encouraged in their walk as they gather together for Youth Group tomorrow night. Pray also that the leaders would have wisdom as they lead.