Day 20

Breathing is a miracle we don’t stop to think about very much. We just do it. It keeps us alive..
In the same amazing way God has given us as Christians a way to “breathe spiritually” for our spiritual well-being. Spiritual breathing, like physical breathing, is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure..
You “exhale” by being sorry for your sins as soon as you become aware of it, and claim God’s forgiveness…. And then……You “inhale” by trusting the Holy Spirit to control and empower you and to keep you from returning to sin..
“Spiritual exhaling” is returning wholeheartedly to God, agreeing with Him about our sin, whether in thought or deed, thanking Him for His forgiveness and trusting Him to transform our attitudes and actions as we obey by faith..
It is a continuous, conscious choice we make to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power..
Don’t wait to exhale. Be quick as soon as you entertain a sinful thought, speak an ugly word, or act on evil desires..
Repentance isn’t a one-time thing; it’s giving my life over to God and asking Him to direct my decisions on a moment-by-moment basis..
Though spiritual breathing is a conscious thing, the more I choose to do it, the more it becomes second nature..
The result? Our Christian life is no longer about self-effort and defeat. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to permeate every area of our life..
“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].…” (1 John 1:9)