YIELDING YOUR UNRULY SPIRIT!

 

Saturday, October 17, 2026

YIELDING YOUR UNRULY SPIRIT!

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

          Simon Peter had a strong, even fierce, independent spirit. He was absolutely certain that he was strong enough to remain faithful to Jesus even during extreme trial. Satan had determined to test that resolve. That Jesus knew of this is proof enough that Satan had requested permission for it.

          The Greek word for “sift” is siniazo which refers to the once common household sieve. Homemakers used sieves to sift lumps from flour and farmers would use sieves to remove husks from grain. The imagery indicates that within Simon Peter was a blend of good and bad.

          Before Peter could be used greatly, he would have to have the bad removed from the good. Satan received permission to sort out that unruly spirit. We are like Simon Peter in many ways.

          Our unruly spirit must come under the control of God’s Holy Spirit. Strong and self-assured brashness needs to be tamed but not destroyed. It is often a painful process, but the result is a strong servant that God can use.

          Do you sense within yourself a strong independent spirit? Do you sometimes question the authority of God? If so, you may be headed for a sifting!

Heb 12:11

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Dear Lord, I do sense a strong, even stubborn, spirit in me. Please be gentle as you tame me. Let me yield to you early and avoid discipline. Make me usable. AMEN

 

DEVELOP STABILITY!

 

Friday, October 16, 2026

DEVELOP STABILITY!

James 1:8

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

          James was never shy about confronting one’s errors. His straightforward nature left nothing to question. He was a bit blunt. Twice he confronts those he called “double-minded.” The one Greek word which requires two English words to translate is dipsuchos and it literally means “two-spirited; inconstant.”

          We all know people like this. Perhaps we are even one of them! The two-spirited person can’t decide at times whether he or she is following God or not. Their minds are divided between the flesh and the spirit. They are drawn in two directions at the same time. They torture others because they are tortured themselves.

          Jacob called his sons together as he was nearing death and gave them a patriarchal blessing which was also prophetic. Of Reuben he said that he was “unstable as water” and that because of this he would not excel. (See Genesis 49:3 & 4) Reuben’s inconstancy was driven by his lust but that is not the only driving force that divides.

          Check yourself! Are you consistent in your spirit, your values, and your relationships? Perhaps it is time to make up your mind.

Job 17:9

9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Dear Lord, I long to be fully surrendered to your will and your thoughts. Make me single minded by your Spirit. AMEN

 

I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU!

 

Thursday, October 15, 2026

I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU!

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

          As parents of adult children, we must learn to deliver them into the capable hands of God. I am as guilty as any of trying to buffer them from every harm and hurt.

          This is my prayer not only for my adult children and grandchildren but for you as well. “He knows you and your situation. I can't see far enough to guide you, I am too blind, so I will try to give that task to Him. I can't sustain you, I am too poor, so I have brought your debts to Him. I am too weak to protect you, so I have dispatched His angels to guard you. I have no balm to soothe your wounds, so I have appealed to the great physician. I love you, but I have asked for His perfect love. May you be blessed today.”

          We can’t fully understand the drama that is unseen when we pray! It is not weakness to pray,  it is strength! It is our greatest treasure, our most renewable and inexhaustible resource. It never fails to bring God’s best. The answer may sometimes disappoint us, but only because we can’t know what God knows and see what God sees. All His ways are benevolent. He is not capricious but purposeful. Trust Him today!

Dan 10:11-12

11 And he [the angel] said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Dear Father, hear the prayers of your children today. Protect them from danger. Fight their battles for them and win. Give them their daily bread. Lead them in a plain path for Thy name’s sake. AMEN