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Daily Devotionals
“Interdependent”
Judges 19:1 - 20:48
John 3:22 - 4:3
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 14:22-24
I love the way John the Baptist talks about Jesus in John, chapter 3. After he is approached by his own disciples regarding their concern that Jesus was attracting and baptizing more people than John (funny!), John replied this way, in verses 27 – 30, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater, and I must become less and less.”
John the Baptist must have had an authentic Walk of the Spirit to not only recognize these qualities in Jesus, but also to celebrate them. He wasn’t angry or jealous or insecure about it. He was confident in the truth that Jesus was the Son of God.
In verses 34 and 35, John says this about Jesus: “For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.”
Sometimes, it’s easy for us to become envious and compare ourselves when those we know succeed, especially in an area that we claim as a strength of our own. This is where a true Walk of the Spirit comes in and changes our thinking. No matter how we feel in the moment (your feelings will lie to you, by the way!), when we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit and put our focus on who Christ and His Spirit says we are, we are left with no room for insecurity, jealousy, or fear.
Here are just a few of the things that His Word tells us we are. He calls you His child, His friend, and His workmanship. You are complete in Christ. You have been justified and bought with a price. You may approach God with freedom and confidence. You have direct access to God through His Holy Spirit. You are a citizen of Heaven and are free forever of all condemnation. You have been chosen and appointed by God to bear fruit. You belong to Him. If that doesn’t get you fired up, I don’t know what will!
Reflection:
• Was there a time in your life where you can remember feeling envious of another person’s success and/or comparing yourself with them? Was it due to your own lack of being in alignment with the Spirit?
Exercise:
• Speak the truth (what Jesus says about you) out loud over yourself this week. Take note of the new confidence you start walking in!
Discipline:
• I will discipline myself to align my heart with the Holy Spirit and believe the truths that Christ says about me.
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