Nailing the Passions and Desires of My Sinful Nature to the Cross

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 2 - Day 1
Galatians 5; Psalm 42

Galatians 5:24-25

Those who belong to Christ have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

Lord, something dawned on me while listening to Debbie speak last night. I realized that whenever I am feeling sad, angry, frustrated, discouraged, depressed, defeated, out of sorts, or whatever the negative emotion, that should be a signal or red flag that I've been listening to the wrong voice and I need to cry out to you without holding back. By doing this I will be walking out Galatians 5:24-25.

It's not that you don't want me feeling negative emotions. But instead of wallowing in them, you want me to see them as a tool which you use to get me to you.

Lord, I praise you for your infinite wisdom! Thank you for giving me all these emotions as complex and crazy and at times incomprehensible as they are. I pray that you will help me to see them as the way you get my attention so I will come running to you. Help me to not wallow in them, but see the red flag and think, "Ah ha! Time to go cry out to God without holding back." In Jesus' name, amen.

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 8:12-14

So, dear brothers and sisters you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit, you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Romans 8:12-14

Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18

MEMORY VERSES

Assurance of Salvation

John 5:24

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:24

Assurance of Salvation

Assurance of Salvation

1 John 5:13

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:13

Assurance of Salvation

Jesus, The Light of My World

John 11:9-10

Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light."

John 9:4-5

"We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world."

Lord, I'm struggling to understand what you meant in these two passages. They seem so out of context to the conversations they are in. Maybe you were speaking of the short amount of time you had left here? Yet, I'm convinced there is more you want me to see here. Please help me to understand. Guide my search to find the treasures here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

So the disciples didn't want you to go to Judea because the people there wanted to kill you. You were basically telling them that you could see clearly that you needed to go there. You needed to give light and understanding to those people by raising Lazarus from the dead.

I should not take time arguing or questioning you when you are clearly leading me. Instead, I should quickly carry out the task you have assigned me. When you are clearly leading me, even if it's to a place that seems guaranteed to be a death sentence for me, I can go with confidence. I can know that I will walk safely because I go in the daylight of your presence and purpose. When I walk in your light, I have no danger of stumbling.

© Kclarksphotography | Dreamstime.com

Thank you, Jesus, for helping me to understand these passages. Please, deepen my understanding. In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:19-21

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. You must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

James 1:19-21

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I Wanna Be In The Light

Song of Solomon 2:15

Quick! Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of your love, for the grave vines are all in blossom.

Song of Solomon 2:15

1 Peter 2:21-23

This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and He never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

1 Peter 2:21-23

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

1 John 1:7

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Lord, I need your help to live in the light today. Help me to be a light to those living in darkness. Lord, you know how cruddy I'm feeling. Thank you that I was able to get antibiotics for my sinus infection yesterday. Please help them to work quickly to clear this mess up. Please don't let me get anyone else sick.

Thank you for helping my arm to continue to heal from the dog bite. Please help the lump under it to eventually go away and the numbness as well.

Lord, I need to get some work done today. Please help me to be able to focus on the task so that I can give my best even though I'm not feeling my best. I pray that YOU would direct my steps today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.