DECEMBER 9, 2016

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” 
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon

HOSEA 1-4

A spirit of prostitution leads them astray;

they are unfaithful to their God.(4:10) 

JUDE

17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.^f

24To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

JOURNAL 

Salvation and being a believer means the spirit of God lives within. It means that no longer does an individual depend on their own "natural instincts" but rather are guided and depend on the spirit. 

This then becomes the anchor of the personality. Individuality then flows out of this foundation. No longer is the foundation based on instinct, tradition and how a person is raised. The actions and soul of the individual are transformed in the love of God. This is what they depend upon, this is what they follow at all cost. No matter the consequences. 

This life is impossible without God, because it is the spirit of God that fuels this very life. To betray this spirit is to serve the self, serving the self leads to death and a life that takes instead of gives. A life lived this way becomes fueled and controlled by anxiety, desperation and fear. 

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 PETER 5:7