EZEKIEL 36:26-27

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

TO PONDER

Do you ever find yourself frustrated at how often you don't seem able to live up to the Word of God? Do you, like me and so many other Christians, find yourself striving to resist temptation, to treat others with love and kindness even your enemies, to turn the other cheek when others hurt you? Don't worry too much, you are in good company.

The reality is that this is not something we were ever supposed to do in our own strength. That's when all the problems started, when Adam and Eve decided to go out on their own and make the rules up for themselves.

Originally they walked in the Garden in the presence of God who talked and walked with them in the world he had created, they had physical proximity to the fulness of God who informed their sense of right and wrong, and whose presence enabled them to live the way he had planned for us to live, in harmony with one another through relationship with himself.

Now, through Christ, the barrier to that relationship has been dealt with. Once again God is with us by his Holy Spirit, walking and talking to us as we journey through life, empowering us to live as he had always intended, in harmony and love toward one another, through a personal relationship with himself, the God who created you, redeemed you and now lives in you. Listen to and follow the Holy Spirit, that's how you live the new life you have in Christ.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have dealt with the the things that stop me from having a relationship with you. Please replace my heart of stone and replace it with a heart that beats for you and help me, by your spirit, to follow you in all I do. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.