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Romans 8:6 - SPIRIT LIVING!

Romans 8:6 (NIV) The mind governed by the 
flesh is death, but the mind governed by the 
Spirit is life and peace. 

Romans 8:6 (NLT) So letting your sinful 
nature control your mind leads to death. But 
letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life 
and peace.  

COMMENTARY 

The Importance of Choice

   Every now and then I meet one of those 
biological freaks of nature who dont gain weight, 
even though they eat anything they want to. For 
the rest of us, that isnt the case. 
   Then there are people who are in great 
shape for a reason. They get up in the morning and 
exercise. They also think about the things they eat, 
like my friend Skip Heitzig. 
   Awhile back we went out for lunch at a 
meatball place. I ordered a hoagie-type sandwich with 
spicy meatballs, sauce, and melted provolone 
cheese (because thats how its done at a 
meatball place). Meanwhile, Skip ordered chicken 
meatballs. 
   I thought, What? Chicken? You dont 
make meatballs out of chicken. And then he 
ordered - I almost cant say it - a kale salad. 
   However, Skip is a very thin guy, and I 
am not. So maybe theres something to his 
lunch choices. 
   Now, lets compare that to the 
spiritual life. Someone gets up in the morning and 
reads their Bible. They pray. And during their 
commute, they listen to Christian radio, worship 
music, or some podcasts that encourage them 
spiritually. 
   Even on their lunch break, they take some 
time to open up Gods Word again. Theyre 
involved in church and attend every weekend. But they 
also participate in a small group or a midweek 
Bible study. As a result, theyre doing well 
spiritually. 
   That isnt legalism or righteousness 
from works. Rather, its working righteousness. 
There is our part as well as Gods part, and we 
need to recognize that. 
   When you get up in the morning, you make 
the choice whether you will walk in the Spirit 
or walk in the flesh. And the best way to avoid 
going backward spiritually is to go forward in the 
Spirit. God wants His spirit to permeate every area 
of your life. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

Dont Grieve the Spirit

   In our home, my wife, Cathe, is in charge 
of all the decor. Ill give my input, but she 
makes all decisions regarding the colors of the 
walls, the furniture, the pictures, and so forth. 
   Now, I have my little department, which 
is anything mechanical. For instance, if 
were buying a toaster, Im going to thoroughly 
research toasters. I get into those kinds of things. 
   But Cathe makes the decisions about the 
things inside the house. Ill tell her what I 
think, and she decides. I just let her have her 
way. As a result, we have peace in the home. And 
by the way, we have been married for 45 years. 
   In the same way, we want to let the Holy 
Spirit have his way in our hearts. We want Him to 
dwell in our hearts. We want Him to be at home 
there and ruling there. Yet the Bible tells us 
there are certain sins we can commit that offend 
the Holy Spirit. We can grieve the Spirit. We 
can make the Holy Spirit sad. 
   The Bible says the Holy Spirit is at home 
in the hearts of Spirit-led believers. Romans 
8:9 tells us, But you are not in the flesh 
but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God 
dwells in you. (NKJV). 
   When you become a Christian, the Holy 
Spirit comes and lives inside you. The Bible says 
the Spirit convicts us, and ultimately when we 
believe, the Spirit seals us. Then the Bible tells us 
that we can be filled with the Spirit and 
empowered by the Spirit. All this happens to the 
followers of Jesus. 
   Theres a difference, however, between 
the Holy Spirit being in you and being at home 
in you. Is the Holy Spirit at home in your 
heart? Is He comfortable there? And is He ruling 
there? [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

Fully Committed

   Are you looking for full-time benefits 
from a part-time investment? Can you work out 
just once a year and still be physically in 
shape? What if you told your spouse you loved them 
only on your anniversary? Would they believe you? 
Sometimes we become similarly lax in our pursuit of 
Christ. But it's impossible to be sort of a 
Christian and expect to grow in our faith. We can't be 
a cultural Christian - like I was growing up - 
and have spiritual success. 
   How do you know if you're a cultural 
Christian? "Well, I go to church - always at Easter and 
Christmas. And I try to be a good person - you know, 
not over the top like those weirdo types who 
take religion too seriously. Yeah, I'm a 
Christian. I believe in God and all that stuff.' 
   Believing in God doesn't mean you know 
God. Scripture teaches that even the demons 
believe in God. If you're always blending in, going 
with the flow, not wanting to stand out because 
of your faith, then it's time to re-evaluate 
your faith. 
   Today make sure you have a full-time 
faith, not just part-time. Don't be a cultural 
Christian - be a whole-hearted, all-in follower of the 
living God. 
   Lord, I want to be so much more than a 
cultural Christian. Help me give my whole heart to 
you and to trust you in every area of my life. 
[Daily Power by Craig Groeschel] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190317-1106.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657