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Articles by Stephanie Miller

Feeding the Spirit and Starving the Flesh Part 2

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41

The second part of this verse shows us our true nature without the saving power of Jesus inside of us. Our flesh is drawn to feels good now without thought of consequences of our actions. Doing what feels good to us in the moment to please the flesh will only make it harder to ignore it in the long run.

Have you every fed a stray cat? What happens once you feed the cat just one time? In my experience the cat keeps coming back and even seems to tell a few of his friends!

Our flesh is like that stray cat, keeping feeding it and instead of going away it will come back consistently and grow louder.

That is why it is so important to we are praying in the spirit to withstand these temptations.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18

Praying in the spirit is our strongest defense against all of the temptations of this world. Whenever we feel tempted we can know that all of the power we need to withstand this temptation is already inside of us.

Despite how we feel in the moment we are never forced to sin, we always have a choice.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Be comforted dear friends that just as Satan has crafted “traps” to trick us, God has given us His strength to overcome them!

In Him,

Stephanie

Photo Credit: image created via wordswag

Feeding the Spirit and Starving the Flesh Part 1

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 NIV

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

When I come across this verse, I immediately relate it to this verse:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

If a lion is roaming around looking for his next prey, it makes sense that we are told to “watch and pray” to avoid “falling into the trap”.

Falling into temptation is a matter of watching where you step, and not giving into temptation is a matter of keeping your guard up through prayer.

We all have certain weaknesses or vices that are easy for us to fall into. Every temptation we come against has been handcrafted to draw us away from God.

What is most tempting to you probably is different than what is most tempting to me because we all have different “lusts” of this world that entice us.

For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16

All of these “lusts of the world” are not things that we happen across, they are what we are bombarded with everyday.

How do we fight against temptation?

Well in our own strength and ability, these temptations that surround us will always overcome us, but through the power of God inside of us we can withstand these temptations.

In Him,

Stephanie

 

 

Photo Credit: image created via wordswag

Work, Abundance and Harvest

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“The Harvest is plentiful. But the workers are few.”
Matthew 9:37 (NIV)

When I go into my backyard nowadays, I see my overgrown garden. One that is filled with weeds and overgrown plants, including cucumbers that have turned yellow and overwhelming overgrowth. But it wasn’t always this way.

A few months back I first carefully researched and planned what I would plant and where I would plant it. I visualized all of the great crops my plants would produce and all of the fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables I would have. I pictured abundance of produce!

For a little while I kept up with my garden. I tended to it by pruning it, watering it and using fertilizer and insect repellent to ensure that I would have the healthiest plants.

What area in your life do you visualize abundance in? Do you picture abundance, in friends, finances or even your health?

Things are going good, until suddenly the “excitement of expectation” wares off and you are left to do the hard work of either gardening or dieting or exercising or working or whatever else you need to do but don’t feel like doing it.

 The soul of the lazy person has strong desires but gets nothing, but the soul of the one who does his best gets more than he needs. Proverbs 13:4

We tend to give up once the novelty is gone and the excitement has worn off. We still want the reward but not the work.

I decided one day that I didn’t need to water or tend to the garden. Then I decided the same thing the next day, and by the time I went on vacation and came back, the plants were too high, the cucumbers needed picking and I needed to pluck the weeds from the garden. I became overwhelmed and it seemed easier to let it go than to deal with it. I just ignored it and pretended it wasn’t a problem and that it wasn’t there. I knew that I needed to tend to my garden, but I decided I didn’t want to put that effort into it anymore.

We do that with our physical bodies. We do that with our spiritual bodies.

Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest. Proverbs 20:4

If we want to reap the benefits of the harvest, we must be willing to do the work.

We can’t will it to happen overnight. We need to be intentional with our efforts.

I can’t enjoy bountiful produce from my garden without putting in the work. You can’t enjoy the benefits of abundant living without putting in the work.

There is so much potential that awaits us. It is there for us to grasp, but we stop putting in the work because it is hard and isn’t producing results fast enough.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

We can experience the plentiful harvest if we are willing to put in the work.

What is an area of your life that are you willing to start putting in the work to reap the harvest has He has waiting for you?

Blessings friends!

Stephanie Miller

 

 

Photo Credit: image created via wordswag