SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/27/2017
12:18 PM
We are going to look at a special Spiritual Diary that
comes from my “Drawing Near Devotional Bible” which the devotionals are written
by John MacArthur. This subject for
today’s date (2-27) is entitled “Attaining Spiritual Stability.” The verse that he used at the beginning of it
is Colossians 1:11 “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his
glorious might, for all endurance and patience.” Now since we have been looking at obtaining
spiritual strength in our recent SD’s from Colossians I thought we should look
at this devotion.
“God always empowers you to do what He commands you
to do.
“An alarming number of Christians seem to lack spiritual
stability. Many are ‘tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind
of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes’ (Eph.
4:14). Others lace moral purity. Many are driven by their emotions rather than
sound thinking. Increasingly,
therapists, and psychologists are replacing pastors and biblical teachers as
the heroes of the faith. While we still
proclaim a sovereign, all-powerful God, our conduct often belies our creed.
“Despite our inconsistencies, the power for spiritual
stability is ours in Christ as we allow the knowledge of His will to control
our lives. Paul describes the working of
the power in Colossians 1:11. There the
Greek word translated ‘strengthened’ and ‘power’ speak of inherent power that
gives one the ability to do something.
“The phrase ‘according to’ indicates that the power for
spiritual stability is proportional to God’s abundant supply—and that supply is
inexhaustible! The literal Greek says
you are being ‘empowered with all power according to the might of His glory.’ That though is akin to Philippians 2:12-13,
where Paul says that the power for working out your salvation comes from God, ‘who
works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.’
“In Colossians 1:11 the result of God’s enabling is the
attaining of ‘all endurance and patience.’
‘Endurance’ speaks of perseverance regarding people; ‘patience’ speaks
of perseverance regarding things or circumstances. When you endure and are patient, you are
spiritual stable. Your responses are
biblical, thoughtful, and calculated—not worldly, emotional, or
uncontrolled. You bear up under trials
because you understand God’s purposes and trust His promises.
“Paul said, ‘Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of
His might’ (Eph. 6:10). That is possible
when you trust God and rely on the infinite power that is yours in Christ.
“SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYER: Perhaps
you know someone who is struggling with spiritual instability. Pray for him or her, and ask God to use you
as a source of encouragement.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Psalm 18, is a psalm of victory that David wrote after God delivered him
from Saul. Read it, then answer these
questions:--What characteristics of God did David mention? – How might those
characteristics apply to situations you are facing?”
2/27/2017 12:43 PM
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