In our first months and years after Salvation, we attempt
to please God. I made a list of all the commandments in the Bible. No really, I
did! I posted the list so I could read them and keep these laws every day. I
wanted to earn God's love. About ten years later, a Christian brother shared
the truth with me that we do not need to earn God's love, because it is a free
gift (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
He explained that God did not want an army of robots, but a
Body of Believers who trusted in Him explicitly with every area of their life.
About this same time, a saying became very popular, "Let go and let
God." This mantra encourages us to relinquish control of our life and to
turn everything over to God (Proverbs 3:5-6).
When we stop molding our self, we give Christ room to shape
us into His image (2
Corinthians 3:18). This allows Him to reach everyone in our sphere of
influence. He gives us His heart and He loves and serves others through us. We
no longer live for our self, but Christ lives in and through us by His Spirit (Galatians
2:20). He is the Vine and we are the branches.
Branches do not produce any fruit; the Vine produces the
fruit through each branch (John 15:4-5). In the same way, we do not
accomplish great feats for God; He accomplishes His will through us (Ephesians
2:10). God fills us with His Spirit and we go where He wants us
to go and do what He calls us to do. Our only effort is to surrender to the
leading of God's Spirit.
Prayer:
Father God, through our connection to the Vine of Christ,
You fill us with the fruit of Your Spirit. You justify us by our faith in Your
faithfulness, and You flood our heart and mind with Your peace (Romans
5:1; Philippians 4:7). When this world frightens and discourages us, You
flood our heart with Your peace, as we keep our focus on You, rather than on
what occurs around us (Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27).
Thought for the Day:
In this modern day of technology, we can easily blog and
use social media opportunities to share the gospel of Christ throughout the
entire world. - Mark 16:15
Create your own blog and spread God's Word:
https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/1623800?hl=en
