Your Daily Devotional for May 8, 2006

May 8, 2006

 

Renewing Your Daily Walk
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3:6

 

A few years ago, I did an in-depth study on spiritual recovery. I received many notes and comments about the way God is helping people to overcome the hurts, habits and addictions that try us. I listened to people who struggled with addictions to the internet, smoking, drinking and even television.

 

The road to recovery is not always an easy road. There can be many setbacks. People can revert back to drinking or back to gambling or back to addictions of all types. Along with theses backwards steps will come the tendency to try to control or even deny the problem.

 

There seems to be three noticeable steps in a pattern of regression. First, we will see complacency. We stop attending church or reading God’s Word because we think we are okay. Then comes confusion. We begin to rationalize. We think we can handle our problems on our own. Then finally we compromise. We go back to the sin that so easily beset us before. Soon the hurt or the hatred returns.

 

So many times we fail because we rely on our own strength. I’m reminded of a middle-aged lady who went up to a 23rd floor building in New York City. She knocked on the door and a beautiful young lady dressed in a flowing Hindu gown answered the door. She is clapping and ringing little bells and says, “Are you here to see the great Bagone, the one who knows all, sees all understands all and has all in control?” The lady says, “Yes tell Sheldon his mother is here.” We need to be reminded sometimes who is in control. Galatians 3:3 says, “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

 

We can prevent failure in our spiritual recovery by, first of all, renewing our daily walk with the Lord. At the beginning of each day and even throughout the day, ask yourself, “How am I doing?” Mark 14:38 says, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”

 

We must also allow God to evaluate us through His Word. The book of Psalms opens with these 3 verses: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

 

If we put our complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ and seek a daily renewal with Him, we will have a peace that only He can give. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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