NEW DESIRES
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
One year in New York, I saw someone trying to sell some sunglasses on the street. A friend with me quickly pointed out those are counterfeit. They look like the real thing, but they aren’t. How do you really know if you are a follower of Jesus? One of those ways isn’t about perfection; it’s about desire. The Pharisees looked great on the outside, but Jesus reminds us that their faith was counterfeit. Transformation really happens on the inside. You get new desires, and if you try to keep living the old way, your conscience starts to convict you. I always remind someone if they are miserable when they are sinning, it’s a good sign. Their desires have changed.
Becoming like Jesus is a process, and we never arrive, but God’s Spirit places new desires to follow, love and serve Him. Have your desires changed throughout the years? Do you want to honor Christ? This is important for us to ask honest questions. We must be faithful to the new desires He places in us because we will grow numb after a while, and our hearts will become as hard as the people did in the wilderness. Your job isn’t to whip up devotion, strive with adrenaline, or willpower. Your job is to act on the desires God gives you.
Be faithful to wake up and meet with Him each day, be faithful to come to church, be faithful to serve Him, Be faithful to give of your resources. He’s the One who placed those desires in you, but you must act on them. Our obedience to God increases our desires for Him. The desires are the Spirit of God in you, making you new. You will still have some old habits that will rear their heads, but your spirit and heart have a new operating system. Let the Spirit work through you that which He has started in you. Let Him have His way today!
APPLICATION: Act on what God has placed in your heart today.
PRAYER: Ask God how to act on the desires He has placed on your heart. Thank God for His nearness and that He creates new desires. Write down the things God is calling you to be obedient to today and act on them.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?