Proverbs of a 41 yr. old man

To fill or to indulge. This is the spiritual battle we are faced with every day. We can either fill on Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ in us. Or we indulge in the flesh, the craving for physical pleasure, the craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. We have a higher call in Christ to pursue His Righteousness and to be Holy like our Heavenly Father is holy. Whatever is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Amen. This is a filling of the soul to the brim that will overflow into others. To indulge though, is not a filling but an emptying of the soul that will empty others around you. Here is the definition of indulge: To yield to the desire of, to treat with excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration to give free rein to, to take unrestrained pleasure in: gratify. Here is the definition of filling: An act or instance of filling. Something used to fill a space, cavity, or container. Its amazing to think that Scripture says we can quench and grieve away Holy Spirit. This work of God in us is relationship with Christ. Reflect on this starting in 1 Peter 1:18-25 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. Amen. Everyday humanity's spirit cannot content with the Spirit of God. We were all dead because of our disobedience and our many sins. We used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Amen. Let's stop and reflect here as I close. If we live according to the desires of this world and to the newness of life provided for us in Christ to live in. We are living a powerless empty life that soon will run out of meaning and purpose. Each new day we are called to fill our souls with relationship with God through Jesus. In Him we can avoid the indulging of the flesh that is destroying this world. This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. Start today to be filled with God in Christ. Once we start to submit to Jesus the indulges of the flesh will quench and you will weep with joy because of the Power of Holy Spirit to change your life. Your desire will be to be filled with spirit and life rather than be emptied by sin and death. To be continued part 2..... A Fullness......