Tag: Faith Gateway Blog

Relaxed vs. Self-Reliant

On By vickleaIn Admonition, ScriptureLeave a comment

This is a devotional that I receive in my inbox daily from Faith Gateway. I had never thought of describing Jesus as “relaxed.” But, you know, He really was. He trusted completely in His Father’s plan and providence. I wish I could say the same about myself, but I am more of the self-reliant type. I try to do it myself until I reach the point where I can’t and then I cry out to God to help me out of the mess I have made. This devotional touched a place in me that needs to change. How about you?

https://faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/are-you-living-the-relaxed-life-of-jesus

Look carefully at the last part of this verse: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” If you are like me, you are always striving to do many things and only call on Jesus when you think that you can’t do it any longer. He needs to be involved from the beginning.

Look at the action verbs here: Trust, depend, seek, show. Choices…it’s always about choices. Relaxing or being self-reliant?

Spiritual Maturity

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture1 Comment

When someone says this phrase, “spiritual maturity” it generally makes me cringe because I know I am not there yet. And I am also aware that according to the standards of others, I may never be “there.” But where I am is seated in my recliner, reading my Bible and devotionals and praying for God to speak to me. One of the things He used this morning was a devotional from Faith Gateway by Dana K. White. Here’s a line from it:

“My level of spiritual maturity is the level of control I’ve given over to the Holy Spirit. It’s the opposite of an achievement. It’s knowing and accepting the truth that anything I understand, I understand only because God’s Holy Spirit gave me that understanding.”

So, maybe it’s my definition of spiritual maturity that needs to be honed. I have kept trying to achieve something, much like passing a test in school, but that is not it at all. Did you hear my sigh of relief? I can quit striving and just give over the wheel to the Holy Spirit. Here’s the link to the devotional if you would like to read it in its entirety. It is well worth the few minutes that you will spend doing so and I hope that it frees and enlightens you just as it did me.

Faith Gateway Blog

Let’s just close with scriptures to ponder so that we can grow together today in the Lord.

All things…everything. Sounds like getting mature in the Lord to me. And we just have to relinquish control to the gift of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised us.

When we confess that we cannot do this Christian walk alone, maturing ourselves all by ourselves, then we are on the road to admitting that the One who is strong can use our weaknesses to teach us how to be more like Him. And isn’t that part of being spiritually mature?

I hope that your day is blessed so that you can be a blessing to others. 🙏🏻