Boom

BOOM!!! It can be so easy to get caught up in the fourth of July and the events our day has ahead. Why don’t we start our day off in focus before we go out into the blur of events our day has ahead of us. Lets start this fourth of July off with a BOOM DEVOTIONAL!!!

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.¹⁴ For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

-Galatians 5:13-23 NASB

Out burst of anger…*guilty hand raise.* As a mom I personally know this is a daily occurrence for myself. After the fourth spill of a cup, the fifth fight between siblings, the salt and paper being confetti thrown around the kitchen, and the sixth crying meltdown. Life as a mom is tiring and hard. How are we expected to not have out burst of anger?

This is the question that came to my mind when reading the fruits of the flesh. However, later in verse 22 the Lord answers my question. Through the fruit of the spirit; patience and self-control. He has given us the tools we need to control our flesh out bursts of anger. Every spill, fight, mess, and meltdown are opportunities He provides for us. Opportunities to practice and work on the tools He has given us, patience and self-control, which will bring us joy and peace.

Focus on the above passages in Galatians as you go throughout your day. The freedom of the fourth can be filled with fun, chaos, and many opportunities to practice the wrong fruits, fruits of the flesh. In sight be led by the spirit.