MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 1st OCTOBER
October 1, 2023
FEAST OF THE GUARDIAN ANGELS – 2nd OCTOBER
October 2, 2023
THE 2nd of OCTOBER
TRUE FREEDOM IS HAVING JESUS’ PEACE, JOY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. – Romans 14:16-19
Our “good” is the blessing of the freedom we have in Jesus. We have to try our best to not give anyone any opportunity to speak evil of the liberty we have in Jesus. God created us with the freedom to choose which means that we need to always exercise self-discipline. We make decisions all the time, and most of them end up affecting not only our welfare but also of those around us. We are interdependent with those around us and by our choices can we affect each other for good or bad.
Even the most common decisions about what we eat and drink, can damage our health and hurt other people’s feelings or future choices. If we recognize that God’s kingdom is about peace and joy and that food choices are secondary, we please God and are approved of by men. We are called to seek the things which lead to spiritual growth, bring peace and edify ourselves and others. Peace, joy and righteousness are everlasting values and are much more rewarding than indulging ourselves with the kinds of food and drink that may hurt others.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Heavenly Father thank You so much for the joy, peace and righteousness that I find in You. Please help me always value them more than any pleasure that might come from indulging myself with any food or drink. The spiritual food that You offer me daily is much more rewarding and satisfying to my soul than anything else. Please help me live in obedience to Your desires, so that no one would have any reason to speak evil about my doings in my daily walk with You. Thank You Lord for giving me all the guidance and strength I need to live right, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Source: thetruthstandsforever
