Jesus is more than just the Vine on which we flourish. He
is also our Son Light and Life (John 1:4). The fruit of His Spirit springs
forth from the branch of our life, because His life flows through us. Think
about this for a moment. Do not read over it and then forget what you saw. We
are nothing without the Vine. Christ works in and through us. His life flows
through us and feeds the world with His fruit in our life. It is our privilege
to be so united with our risen Lord.
This union allows us to shrug off the anxious thought, the
carnal impulse and the dread of the future. His love reveals to us the lies,
which Satan convinced us to believe. God’s Spirit takes us back to the
experience in our life where Satan planted the falsehood. His Spirit then
reveals His truth and sets us free from living from the premise of these lies.
Our life changes radically when God shows us that we are more than conquerors
because He loves us (Romans 8:31-39).
God’s peace reigns in our soul, if we just allow it
entrance. It takes a change in our focus from believing Satan’s lies to
believing God’s Truth. Once we recognize our union with Christ, we can go to
the ends of the earth at God’s command. We live in contentment and joy
regardless of our circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). His goodness and mercy
envelop us each and every day of our life (Psalm 23:6). His joy
in us gives us His strength to meet any trial life has to offer.
When we change our focus from the negative aspects of our
life to the joys of His life in us, then we face any obstacle with His
confidence and hope. When we focus on the reality that our humanity is
crucified with Christ, we also realize that we no longer live, but we are
raised with Christ who lives in and through us (Galatians 2:20). We live
by the faith, which comes from the Son of God, and we relish His love and
sacrifice for us. This allows us to live in total surrender to His will.
We live in service to our King at home, at work, at church
and in our community. We listen to His Spirit’s direction and we walk according
to God’s Spirit, not according to our flesh or our human desires and goals. We
live in the consciousness of His presence and we abide in His love and life
throughout the day and night. We look for opportunities to allow His life to
flow through us and to touch the lives around us. An encouraging word,
compassion and grace, a kind smile, and the shared truth of His Gospel will set
lives free.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You dearly love us and desire an eternity
of intimate fellowship with each one of us. What an awesome privilege You give
to us! You are our God of great comfort, and You sustain us and prepare us for
the spiritual battles we experience. In this corrupt and unjust world, You give
us wisdom and comfort. You prepare us to fight the good fight (1 Timothy
6:12). We trust You now more than ever. You equip us for the work that you
called us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We love and worship You all the
days of our life.
Thought for the Day:
Every person sins and we all miss the mark; however, we are
all justified by His grace because of the redemption provided for us by the
life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. – Romans 3:23-24