The Bible says Jesus was tempted and tried in all the ways we are. God puts people around us and provides someone to help us when we can’t go on. Last week, I shared Jesus’s prayer in the garden, asking Father if there was any other way to reconcile fallen humanity with Him. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak, not wanting to endure the cross. Now I take you to his journey to Golgotha with the cross on his back. His beaten, abused body gave out, and he fell under the weight of the cross. God provided Simon of Cyrine to help him.
How many times have we been struggling, thinking we’re all alone? Have you ever convinced yourself that you can’t bother someone else? Maybe God had a person for you to call, that He had prepared to help you, and you didn’t reach out. He may even have brought someone to mind, or someone was right in front of you who could help, but you didn’t realize. Simon had no preconceived notion of helping Jesus carry his cross that day, but Father God caused him to be in just the right place, at a Kairos time. He was blessed for helping, and Jesus was blessed with the help he gave. Simon of Cyrene is still honored today as part of Jesus’s road to the cross.
Here is an important scripture that is in my devotions today. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free from our past and all regret. This would be a good prayer to pray for our nation right now!
Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake… Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the people turn from their wicked deads. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:3a,6 NLT
As Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Neither will I condemn you-go and sin no more.” This is a new day, the past is gone. Regret is not a road you want to travel. It’s full of snares and sharp rocks. I prefer the Lord’s path of grace and obedience. It’s full of faith, hope, and love. (thanks to Uta Milewski & her devotional)
As for my book, Musings Along Life’s Journey, I have reached the mark of selling as many books as I’ve given away or gifted. On Monday, I found out Sabrina Adams, my publisher, had finished her battle with the cancer that ravaged her body and has been translated to heaven. I am praying for peace for her family and that her daughters and husband can keep her publishing company going.
There is much opposition to this book being sold. Must be God has great plans for it! I encourage you to get a copy from me or order one at http://www.zoelifebooks.org, read it, write a review, and share on social media. I currently have one event scheduled if you’d like to mark your calendar. Saturday, August 12th, from 9-3pm I will be at the Henderson Heritage Day, on the lawn by the Historical Society.
This fruit grows as we abide in Christ, lean into Holy Spirit, and practice walking in these things. Notice, it’s “the work which His presence within accomplishes” and not our fleshly efforts. We all know people with gifts from the Lord that are accurate in using that gift, but the spirit behind it and their conduct do not match these fruits of the Spirit. For a vine to produce fruit it must be watered and tended. We can sow in the Spirit, feeding and watering the seeds Holy Spirit planted within by reading the Word and praying in the Spirit, and reap the fruit that will remain. If we sow in the flesh, starve and dehydrate the vine, any fruit will eventually die due to neglect.
In reality, this looks like an accurate prophet giving an accurate word, then delving into sexual sin, abuse of others… fleshly pursuits… which turns the word he gave into a falsehood. Many of us have been hurt/burned by Pastors, prophets, teachers, and others in authority. Lots of times love is shut out by legalism. Many have fallen away. They’ve turned against church in general, and certain ministers in particular. Lack of integrity and humility come to mind.
I encourage you to meditate on these things in whatever Bible gives you best understanding. The Holy Spirit is the one who plants the seeds of the gifts, but we must water and feed them, starving out the things of the flesh instead of starving the Spirit within. By the way, have you chosen a devotional for the year 2023 yet? With my upcoming trip to Tanzania, book to be published soon, becoming a trustee for our historical society, Pastor asking me to think about becoming a deacon in our church, on top of my other obligations, it will be a year of readjusting. I am leaning toward not working at the motel for the 2023 season. Though I enjoy the work and fellowship there, it is tough scheduling. I am praying for my employer’s need for workers to be met as I pray to the Lord of Harvest to send out more workers for the Harvest of souls! Needless to say, I’m waiting on the Spirit to show me how to do devotions in the new year. As usual, I plan to fast with our church January 1-21st, which is another topic to seek the Lord on how to do this year. My first prompt is to spend the 21 days in the books of 1,2 &3 John.
Musings along life's journey 