How Old?

Thursday, ‎September 28, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: 1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Memory verse: Philippians 4:8 ►Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Today's reading: ISAIAH 5-6 EPHESIANS 1

How Old Would You Be?

I copied the verse of the day,1 Corinthians 2:14, and posted it like every other day and then I saw an email from a friend that had a video and song called, 'Don't Let The Old Man In'. The song is by Toby Kieth and the video has clips of Clint Eastwood, at 91, having enjoyment of his life.

After the first viewing, I got the idea. No matter your age, enjoy yourself as you work to not let your age bring you down. One line asks the question, "How old would you be if you didn't know the day you were born?"

Some already know where I'm going with this so let's take a spin at it.

First, I will 'Amen' the 'don't let the old man in". There are references to the 'old man' such as :

Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our 'old self'(old man) was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

This refers to the person we were before we personally accepted our ransom by Christ Jesus and committed our hearts to Him. All through the writings of Paul the apostle, we see God speak on keeping our old nature out of the picture.-"Don't let the old man in". Why? What's wrong with the old man? The old man is our 'sin' life--plain and simple.

How can we escape the influence of the 'old man'.

First, let's know that this is what Jesus died for. In Luke 9:23, Jesus said for us to take up our cross and follow Him. Each day we nail the old man to our cross? What? OK...we take our old nature and turn our back on it...shut it out...open our heart's ear to the Holy Spirit and listen to the righteous leading of the divine personal presence of God.

Live in truth.

Colossians 3:9-11

9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—

Pray for the reality of Christ's peace.

Ephesians 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

The 'old man' knows no peace. There will be times when non-believers seem to have a good handle on things and this is just a mirage created by the enemy. The natural world is at very best, temporary.

Before God, everyday, verbally acknowledge to God who you are in Him.

Ephesians 4:22-24

22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

"I am the new self that You, oh God, has created. You are renewing my mind, thank You, Lord, and are teaching me how to live in Your righteousness and holiness of truth".

Commit everyday to being God's servant.

Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

We are no longer slaves to sin-but-we are His servants. We have a Master who gave the life of His son so we could be free and learn His freedom as we learn to obey our Master.

How old would you be if you did not know the day of your birth? Your soul knows no age. In Christ, it is eternal.

Well, we know the day of our birth-our spiritual birth. It was the day each individual accepted God's plan in Christ and bent their knee to Him and confessed the risen Christ as Lord, Romans 10:9.

So, for the sake of your new life in Christ, don't let the old man in-keep that person crucified and walk as Jesus walked-

1 John 2:6-whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I confess, have mercy on me, that I let the old man in all the time. I choose to walk as Jesus walked and can never do this on my own-I am completely in Your mercies.

Merciful God of righteous living in Christ,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen