“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” I Timothy 1:5 NLT

If there was ever a time when the people of God need to be taught of the Lord it is now. If there were ever a time to have their discernment turned up HIGH, it is now. Right now.

We need to follow and filter all information and occurrences through the words of the Sacred Text and see every man and woman, every living human, as Imagi Deo, (made in the image of God). Those people are worthy of love, respect and all the grace we can give. We need to put alway all foolish chatter and arguments of men, and combative words filled with fire and anger and violence and claims.

This is the point of surrender. Our ways for His ways. Our thoughts for His thoughts. Our rights for a life of taking up our cross and following Him. The key to faithfulness is surrender.

Lord. Teach us. Teach us Your ways. Teach us the fine art of surrender without bad attitudes. Yielding with grace and not bitterness. Responding in respect. Staying soft. Staying tender. Putting on the mercies of God.

The fruit of the Spirit is a beautiful display in a season of darkness and rancor. This fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control are a powerful force for good in evil times. It is this fruit in action which allows all men to see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

My heart’s cry, my daily prayer is: “Show me Your ways, teach me Your paths…guide me in Your truth and teach me! For my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4,5.

There are SO many promises of guidance and direction by the Spirit given to us in the word of God. But the key to being able to receive this direction is a willingness to surrender all to Him. We must lay aside all of our pre-conceived ideas and tightly held attitudes which are counter to the gospel. Anything that pulls away from the Spirit of Christ, these are things we must let go of.

“Trust in the LORD with all of your heart, do not lean on your own understanding.” Prov. 3:5. This has been my life verse since the age of 18. It has guided me faithfully even until now.

Lord!! Teach me!

~ Debbie Ecker