As Born Again Believers, we are filled throughout our entire body, soul and spirit with all of God’s fullness. We possess the richest measure of His divine presence within us and we are wholly filled and flooded to overflowing with God Himself (Ephesians 3:19, Amplified Bible). We are united with Christ in the very marrow of our spirit (Hebrews 4:12). He provides us with everything we need to live a healthy, Spirit-filled life. Then, His Spirit infiltrates the joints of our soul – our thoughts, choices and emotions - to realistically perform His perfect will in and through us (Hebrews 4:12).
We
are liberated from living in this earthly realm, even though we physically
continue to dwell here. Paul counted all of his worldly possession and gain as
lost when compared to the joy of his salvation and the riches he received from
intimately knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-11). In this same way, we detach from our connection to
this world, even the good parts of life which hinder our walk with God, such as
family, houses and lands – in order to obtain the better blessings provided for
us by Christ (Luke 14:23-33; Philippians 3:10).
We realize that even the
worst of adversity in our life comes from God to perfect and to provide for us (Hebrews
11:32-34; Job 1:8, 2:3). What Satan
plans to harm us, such as the death of Christ on Calvary’s cross, God means for
our good, such as bringing His resurrection life to lost sinners (John
19:10-11). Satan has no authority of
his own. He can only do the bidding of our Father God. The Lamb, who is opening
the seal, bowl and trumpet judgments, even directs the plans and purposes of
the anti-Christ during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 5:2-10).
All of Satan’s wiles
against us are orchestrated by God to work out His purpose in us, through us
and for our eventual good (1 John 4:4; Romans 8:28). So stop spending so much time fighting Satan.
Submit to God instead, then resist the devil and he has to flee from you (James
4:7). This does not mean our trials in
life will end, however. Our Heavenly Father loves us and makes us more than
conquerors through them all (Romans 8:37).
He even makes all of our paths straight because of our enemies (Psalm
27:11; Zechariah 4:7). Jesus is exalted
in us as we overcome as His joint heirs by His power within us (1 John
3:2; Ephesians 3:6).
We
find our true self, hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). He called us out of sin
into His glorious life. God elected us as His holy and stately priests. We are
God’s special possession created to declare His praises to a lost and dying
world around us (1 Peter 2:9). We actually become the love of Christ to the world (John
2:12-14; Exodus 33:13). Jesus went to the cross with joy in His heart as He focused on the
glory awaiting Him in Heaven (Hebrews 12:2). We live life with this same joy in our own hearts,
looking forward to sitting together with Christ for eternity (1
Corinthians 4:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:8 10; Ephesians 1:21, 2:4-6).
Prayer:
Lord
Jesus, You take pre-eminence in our heart over all other aspects of life (1
Corinthians 9:22).
We knock on doors and invite our neighbors to church. We pray for them and for
everyone You bring to our mind. We shed Your light within us for all the world
around us to see, so they may live with us in eternity as the redeemed of the
Lord (Psalm 107:2). You bore our sins in Your body on the cross; so that we too can die
to sin and live righteously and victoriously, just as You did (1 Peter
2:24). We give
You all the praise and glory and honor due Your name (Psalm
96:8).
Thought for the Day:
Problems
are simply opportunities for God to prove Himself strong on our behalf. We find
out what He is doing in every situation and then join Him.Thank you, Naturally North, for sharing your beautiful photo.
