With All That I Am

031408: This morning, I am trying to rejoice in the Lord, but I keep getting irritated by who I am. I spilled oatmeal all over the counter. I got irritated while trying to clean it up. I'm running behind my schedule now and I'm not sure if I'll be on time for my orientation. I don't like rushing during my devos. How can so much go junk in less than an hour?

Deuteronomy 26:16This day the Lord your God has commanded you to do these statutes and ordinances. Therefore you shall keep and do them with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being.

Galatians 5:16But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

Moses is commissioning the Israelites as they are about to enter into the Promised Land. Moses tells them that they must keep to the Law with all that they are. In Galatians 5, Paul is telling the Galatians that they must follow the Holy Spirit in order to overcome the desires of the flesh. In the Old Testament, the Law was all that the people had to follow when they needed to follow God's will. When Jesus came to fulfill the Law, it allowed the Holy Spirit to lead people towards God's will. It is because Jesus came to us through the Law that the Holy Spirit was able to dwell among us.

I noticed that Galatians 5:16 says to walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit. Today, I feel like I'm habitually trying to walk in the Spirit. I know what to do to call upon it. I will pray for forgiveness and for the joy of the Lord. However, I have to admit, my flesh is craving to be disobedient. I want to be ungrateful, I want to be rude, I want to be upset, but...I want to overcome all that and follow the Lord. I need to see what is really going on here. I'm being targeted because God is prepare me for a greater calling than the one I've known. I need to prepare my heart. I need to be clean on the inside and the outside. I need to follow God with all that I am. Jesus is reaching out to me. All I need to do is reach back. This is not the day that I will forget my Lord and Savior. I will worship Him today will all that I am. I will break open that alabaster jar.

Heavenly Father, today has been a bit of a struggle so far. But Lord, I know that You are still in control. I love You so much, Lord. I speak against the devil and any of his attempts to steal my attention from You. Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness. I am sorry for allowing irritation, anger, rudeness, and jealousy to seep into my heart. Please cleanse me right now. Purify me. Lord, I praise and worship You for this beautiful day! I thank You for giving me another chance at life. I praise You, Jesus, for conquering death! Hallelujah! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.