July 16th

JULY 16th

So we shouldn’t be self-centered but we need to take care of ourselves. Seems like a tricky balance. It is that same old battle that we face in this body. Paul talks about it in Romans 7 and expresses that he is so ready to be rid of this earthly body. Ditto.

Romans 7:21-25 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

It is through Jesus we find deliverance. If we walk in the Spirit, (surrendered to the Holy Spirit, following His leading) we will not gratify the desires of the flesh and we will take care of ourselves.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

You don’t have to worry that you will neglect yourself if you focus on Jesus and His mission. He will not allow that to happen. I have to say that is probably not an issue for most of us anyway. Most of us are not guilty of spending too much time doing God’s will that we neglect to physically care for ourself, but the Holy Spirit will nudge you if you need to take better care of yourself, and He knows what will truly refresh us. So do we find ourselves in that place, being led by the Spirit and suppressing the sin nature/flesh and its cravings or do we more often find ourselves in the place of trying to see how much we can get away with?

Do we leave the Holy Spirit thinking, “child if you only knew what you are giving up for that, you would not settle for that.”

God knows even better than you do what you need to sustain this earthly body and He has promised to provide. It is not a matter of neglect, it is a matter of priorities. God knows that you cannot live this life outside of your earthly body and that body needs, nutrition, exercise, rest, and relationships to stay healthy. We aren’t to worry about those things but we are also not to obsess over them, too much in either direction is not healthy. Not being self-centered but also not neglecting our health is important.

Matthew 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

It really isn’t about neglect it is a matter of priorities. Notice that last sentence…”But seek FIRST…” That is the key, His kingdom, His righteousness, His relationship is the top priority and if you do that, He will take care of the rest. He knows how to do it, He was here in the flesh remember? He knows how to balance it all. So let’s look to Him.

Jesus, thank you for the hope that you provide. Thank you that there is nothing I face that you aren’t familiar with and know how overcome. Help me to find the balance between taking care of myself as I should and giving myself away as I should. Help me to keep you as top priority and follow your leading Holy Spirit. Even when things are seemingly innocent help me be sensitive to you so that I know what to do and not do. Thank you for wanting to be involved in everything in my life.