Document: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db931202.TXT
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    OUR DAILY BREAD                     Thursday, December 2, 1993
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    Read:  Galatians 5:16-26

                       A LESSON FROM THE OAK TREE

              Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill
                         the lust of the flesh.
                            --Galatians 5:16

    Have you ever noticed that in winter some oak trees retain crisp,
    dry leaves long after the maples, the elms, and the walnuts  have
    become  bare  skeletons?  Even the strong winter  winds  and  the
    early spring rains do not strip the oak branches completely.  But
    as  springtime  progresses,  something  wonderful  happens.  Tiny
    little buds start appearing at the tips of the twigs, pushing off
    the  dried remnants of the preceding season.  What the winds  and
    rain  could not do from without, the forces of new life  do  from
    within.

    At times, old habits cling to our lives with the same tenacity as
    those  oak leaves.  Even the winds of trial and suffering do  not
    remove  all  the lifeless leftovers of our fallen  human  nature.
    But  Christ, who dwells in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,  is  at
    work.  His  life within us continually seeks to push off the  old
    habits,  renewing us when we confess our sins, steadying us  when
    we falter, and strengthening us to do His will.

    When  every  effort  to  cast off an old  sinful  habit  ends  in
    failure,  remember the mighty oak.  Thank God for His Spirit  who
    lives  in you.  Keep saying yes to His gentle urging to be  kind,
    loving,  honest,  strong,  and faithful.  He'll  push  off  those
    "lifeless old leaves."

    Author:  Dennis J. De Haan

                     When stubborn sins tenaciously
                       Hold to their former place,
                     We must rely on Jesus' strength
                    And His unfailing grace.  --Sper

    THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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    The  best way to get rid of a bad habit is to start a good  habit
    -- rely on God.

    THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Galatians 4-6

          
          











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