Thrifty Thursday – Less of Me

Living more simply for me, means living with less. Well, that also means living with less of ME.
I read Romans 8 recently and I couldn’t help but think about how God has given us a new life, but how we try to fight it daily, by clinging onto our old selves. How about you?

Romans 8:5-13

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

• What is your mind set on? For me, that is why it is so important to stay in God’s Word. When I start to get all worked up, I often have to check myself and see where I am with God. If I am spending less time with Him, my life shows it. Staying in God’s Word, helps me rid myself of those fleshly desires b/c I understand more fully what the Spirit desires.

 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

• There’s another verse on the MIND. What governs your mind? What is “renting space” between your ears? Does it belong there?

 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

• This is a powerful verse b/c the last part says “nor can it do so.” If we are governed by our old selves, our fleshly desires, we CAN’T submit to God. Like the verse in Matthew says “you can’t serve two masters.” You can’t follow God’s law if the mind is governed by the flesh.

 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

• Do you live as if Christ lives in you? Are you living with less of you? I am challenged by this daily. What selfish desires continue to creep into my mind and life? To think that the One who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in ME? Does that not just give you chills? What do you need to change in your life so that people can see Christ living in you? I know things I need to change! To think that I walk around everyday, with Christ inside of me, is just such an honor.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

• That is simplicity to me; putting to death the misdeeds of the body. I want to live. I want to daily learn what it means to “live.” I am EXCITED to continue to learn about what it means to live.

It all starts with God’s grace. For that, I am thankful always!