Woozy,<P>Just as I get done posting to you, I go and read my daily devotionals in my email, and there it is! This is just happening to me on a daily basis, that God is directing my life. God is Amazing!!<P>-----------------------------------<BR>Today’s Verse for Friday, March 10, 2000<BR>In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.<BR> 1 Peter 3:15<BR>New International Version<BR>THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE...<BR>We are to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought to our lives! But when we share this hope, two things are important: our credibility—is Jesus really Lord of our hearts—and our character—do we show gentleness and respect in our approach. The goal is not to win arguments, but hearts to the God of character!<BR>MY PRAYER...<BR>Holy and Loving Father, thank you for speaking your grace in Jesus. I’m not sure I would have heard any other message. Give me the conviction I need to share my hope in Jesus, but in a way that reflects your grace. Through my Living Hope I pray. Amen.<BR>-------------------------------------<P> N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L<BR> from Freedom in Christ Ministries<P>March 10<P>PUT UP THE SAIL!<BR>The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).<BR>What does it take to be the selfless, loving Christian we desire to be? What is needed to move us beyond our inconsequential selfish, fleshly pursuits to deeds of loving service to God and others?<BR>First, it requires a firm grasp on your identity in Christ. You can’t love like Jesus loved until you accept the reality that, since you are in Christ, His divine nature is united with your spirit.<BR>Second, you must begin to crucify daily the old sin-trained flesh and walk in accordance with who you are: a child of God whose spirit is filled with God’s Spirit.<BR>The fact that the Holy Spirit resides in us and that we can live according to His leading is an awesome but elusive concept to many. The problem is not new. Nicodemus was a learned man, but he couldn’t comprehend life in the Spirit. So Jesus told him, “the wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going, so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Trying to reduce life in the Spirit to a formula is like trying to capture the wind.<BR>Someone reflecting on the mysteries of walking by the Spirit said, “I think we need to pull in the oars and put up the sail!” I like that. When we walk by the Spirit, we stop striving. We are no longer driven; we are led. “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). When we come to the end of our resources, we discover His.<BR>Father, help me to quickly set aside human resources today so I may walk in the strength and adequacy of Your Spirit.<BR>---------------------------------
