We usually live our life fumbling around through one
escapade after another. We bring calamity upon our self and our family by the
choices we make. We fail to consult the Lord’s will, so He cannot direct our
paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Eventually,
we are in the pit of despair so deeply that we have to call out to Him in
frustration and anguish. We pray up a calm in our storm, and ask God for His
showers of blessings for us in the midst of the raging tempest.
According to His unfailing love, God always answers us. He
has a perfect plan for each of us (Ephesians 2:8-10). We arise in the morning,
live throughout our day and fall asleep every night in the attitude of continuous
prayer. Not on our knees, but bowed in our heart in ceaseless communion with
the Father and His Son by the power of His Spirit. We walk in
the reality of what we read in God’s Word. We grow stronger in our union with
Christ day by day.
Surrendering our negative
characteristics to God will rid us of them quicker than if we attempt to
perfect our self. As we cease from our own labors, we enter into God’s rest (Hebrews 4:10). The Holy
Spirit is in us perfecting us from one realm of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18). He
exchanges our negative characteristics with the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). As we
keep our mind focused on God in worship to Him, He keeps us in His perfect
peace (Isaiah 26:3).
Our main enemies are our carnal flesh, the glittering world
and Satan’s lying wonders (1 John 2:16; Mark 4:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:9). However, God’s
Spirit steps in and sanctifies our thoughts and desires until we are completely
compatible with Christ in us and in total harmony with the will of God for our
life (Ephesians 2:10). We bear
much fruit, stand in the gap for our loved ones, soften God’s heart against
sinners and plead for the salvation of the lost.
Prayer:
Father God, we yield our personal rights and self-will to You, and we ask You
to purify us in our carnal thoughts, words and deeds. Your Spirit speaks to us
from deeply within our hearts, confirming that we are Your children (Romans 8:16). We hunger
and thirst for a closer walk with You. Remind us that only as we die to our
self will we ever live in Christ. Our complete surrender and childlike faith
will earn us a crown of life (James 1:12). As Your righteous children, we pray with confidence
that You always hear us (1
John 5:14-15).
Thought for the Day:
Complete devotion, conformity and faithfulness to the Word
of God bring us into total union with Christ.