Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – September 3, 2017

Today’s readings: 2 Samuel 13:1-22; Romans 15:1-13; John 3:22-36

Today, instant gratification is marketed as: “drug of choice, who doesn’t want…?” Scripture teaches us to be content; God provides all we need. To persist in wanting and coveting opposes God. Our natural-self constantly opposes God’s Word. Covetous desires left undisciplined, allow sin to flourish and destroy lives. A good example is Amnon’s lust for Tamar in our reading from 2 Samuel.

God sets boundaries and disciplines those he loves. The Holy Spirit urges us to trust and obey God so that we may live in joyful peace.

Willing acceptance of God’s discipline is a sure sign of a person’s relationship with God. As God reveals himself to us, we learn to recognize his loving touch, soft embrace, and oh-so-gentle voice in our lives. The more intimate and personal the relationship, the more assured we become of God’s love and faithfulness. We must learn to stop when God’s Spirit checks our desires and actions. It is easy to quench the Spirit with obstinacy, denial, or self-pity. We demand, “Why!” and hear nothing. Yet, in obedience, we understand.

Prayer: Father, forgive us and strengthen your Spirit within us, that we may trust and obey your loving will in all areas of our lives. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Janice Kelly, NALC pastor.

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