“For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on things of the flesh. But those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

Acts Like A Dog

 Our dog was a rescue dog and has come a long way. It took her a while to “act” like a member of our family with all of her baggage. My husband had taken her to the vet a while back and said how she “acts like a dog” when in unfamiliar surroundings and reverts back to old ways of not listening.

Of course, there is a spiritual lesson to this story. I was in prayer, having my morning quiet time, and the Lord brought to mind a few times recently where I reverted back to my fleshly thoughts because I was in unfamiliar area, just like my dog. I’ve been a Christian for many years, and the Holy Spirit has changed a lot of bad habits and thought patterns. Why would I revert back to my fleshly mindset? The Lord reminded me that it’s a constant battle and to be ever watchful to “keep my eyes on things above, not of this earth” (Colossians 3:2).

 We have been given a new nature; the sin nature is not dominant anymore. I don’t want to behave badly yet sometimes the “old man” rears its ugly head. The insecure reactions or worries about what others think fester and rise—I forget for a second who I belong to and that His loving hand is on me every second of my life. I have absolutely no reason to walk according to the flesh (or follow that wrong mindset). I am a refreshed, new person in Christ.

This season of year reminds me of the new nature and life I have in Christ. Even though I’ve walked with the Lord many years, every morning is new and I am revived in Christ, like the new green grass and the new leaves on the trees. I don’t need that old baggage of wrong thinking the devil tries to remind me of. “There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

 We were rescued also, like my dog. We have a new Master, a new life to walk in, and a wonderful home to look forward to in heaven. Even if we’ve walked with the Lord many years, He makes all things new and fresh. We are children of the living God and He loves us very much.

“Father, thank You for Your constant love and grace. Help us to fix our minds on things above, remembering how much we are loved, not allowing worry and doubt to creep in. We live and walk according to the Spirit. Amen.”