God’s goal, through His Spirit, is to sever our connection
to the vine of the flesh, the world and the devil, and to graft us into the
Vine of Christ. He does this through the process of salvation. Then God's
Spirit continues to convict us of our sins, as well as to give us the desire
and the power to relinquish it (Philippians 2:12-13).
Our Savior dwells within us, and cannot associate with
fleshly pursuits. God only withdraws His presence from us
when we sin. He provides trials to insure that no flesh glories in His
presence, but that He receives all of the glory due to His name (Psalm
29:2). God never uses trials for punishment, but He will use them
to discipline us for our protection.
God also allows failure in our ministry or personal life to
humble us into realizing that we do not live life according to our will, but
according to His will. God may even allow our body to fail in some area, as a
testimony that prayer is the only reason we are still living. In fact, God may
chose not to heal us on earth, but to take us Home with Him in Heaven.
We do not need to live in fear and desperation; but simply
to live in intimate fellowship with our Jesus, who abides within us. We get
lost in His presence and affection. He fills us with His Spirit and thrills our
soul with His blessings. There is no relationship on earth equal to this,
because He knows us from the inside out.
We do not name and claim the victory, but we cooperate, as
Christ in us works out our deliverance and sanctification (Psalm
18:6). Even our negative circumstances, when they are in the will
of God for us, work out for our good (Romans 8:28). God will
use trials to draw us back to Himself and to prove His love for us (2
Chronicles 15:4).
Prayer:
Father God, the Rock of Ages is our foundation, which no person or demon can ever shake. You allow us to be tested beyond our strength; often pressed out of the area of our expertise and abilities; but not beyond Yours. You do this so that we will learn not to trust in our self. Give us Your grace, as You use trials to prove us. Remind us to take You at Your Word and to believe in Your promise of ultimate victory.
Father God, the Rock of Ages is our foundation, which no person or demon can ever shake. You allow us to be tested beyond our strength; often pressed out of the area of our expertise and abilities; but not beyond Yours. You do this so that we will learn not to trust in our self. Give us Your grace, as You use trials to prove us. Remind us to take You at Your Word and to believe in Your promise of ultimate victory.
Thought for the Day:
God purifies our life through fire, proves our faith as
genuine when we go through various trials and suffering, and He will present
our faith at the return of Christ to the earth. - 1 Peter 1:7
