Our human effort can never produce spirituality. No amount
of carnal exertion, ceremonies, rituals or precepts can govern the spiritual
world. Repentance is the first step to true spirituality. This humbles us and
allows God into our life. The more we worship our Creator and King, the more
spirituality we encourage in our life. This creates a new attitude and mindset
in us.
God gives us gifts to use to minister to the lost and
dying world around us (1
Corinthians 12:4). We testify to others about what God does in our life.
Many will turn a deaf ear, because their life is ruled by the tyranny of
self-effort. However, some who are tired of servitude to the dictates of the
flesh will be ready to surrender their life to God and to enjoy His love and
blessings like we do.
The steady habitation of our spirit by the Spirit of God
gives us peace and joy, which transcends what the world and its religions can offer
to us. Our connection to God becomes our foremost priority. We deepen our relationship
through prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other Believers and Christian
service in our community. We encounter God’s hand in our life through many
significant ways.
God cares about us. He even lived in human form and
suffered in every area in which we do (1 Peter 2:21-22; Hebrews 4:15). God cannot fellowship with sin,
so we must not grieve His Spirit with our carnality and self-effort (Habakkuk 1:13; Ephesians
4:30). God’s Spirit continually transforms us with the mind of Christ.
If we give our constant attention to His will and ways in our life, we will
sense God’s powerful presence.
Prayer:
Father God, we relinquish every area of our life, which
serves as a distraction to us from following You with our whole heart. We
confess every sin, which stands between Your heart and ours. We trust in Your
faithfulness and surrender our anxieties and stress to You for Your miraculous
healing and provision. Remind us not to allow the cares of this world to choke
out our focus on You (Mark
4:19).
Thought for the Day:
A personal encounter with God on a daily basis will free
us from the tyranny of self-effort.
