Our salvation is not earned by our works, and neither is
our sanctification (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:1-3). God's Spirit instantly rebirths
our spirit through regeneration and then transforms our soul through a lifetime
of sanctification.
We are formed like clay by the Potter's hands, shaped
into His grace. We feel His hands on our soul - our thoughts, choices and
emotions - as He molds us into the likeness of His Son and stretches us to do
His will (Isaiah 64:8).
Intimately knowing God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent,
provides us with eternal life now and for eternity (John 17:3). The fruit of
eternal life within us is that we live to abide in the will of God for our
life.
Our desire for the world diminishes, and doing the will
of God is our motivation for each moment of our day (1 John 2:17). Living for
the things of the world is no longer an option, as our draw to them thins and
wanes in the light of God's presence within us.
We come to trust God's hand in every area of our life,
which helps us to stop worrying and to live to praise Him. Through each season
of sanctification, our life is renewed, as we realize that God bought us back
from Satan's clutches with a high personal price to Himself (1 Corinthians
6:19-20).
Our part is to surrender to His love, mercy and grace; and
set free from the law of sin and death, to live as slaves to His righteousness
(Romans 6:22). We conscientiously transfer control over our life from our own
keeping to God's great love.
We do not retain our position in the driver's seat, but
move to the back seat and give God control of the wheel, the brake and the
direction we take. We move from anxiety, fear and insecurity to total faith.
There is no one on earth or in the spiritual realm that we can trust with our life other than God (Psalm 73:25). Even when we walk through the valley of death and destruction, we fear no evil; because His rod and staff bring us comfort and direction (Psalm 23:4).
There is no one on earth or in the spiritual realm that we can trust with our life other than God (Psalm 73:25). Even when we walk through the valley of death and destruction, we fear no evil; because His rod and staff bring us comfort and direction (Psalm 23:4).
Prayer:
Father God, as we surrender control of our life to You,
You manifest Yourself to us in all of You glory and grace. As the Body of
Christ, we find You using us to do greater works than Jesus did, because Your
authentic Saints live all over this world (John 14:12; Ephesians 2:10). With
Your glorious riches, You provide us with everything we need to accomplish Your
will for us, and You meet all of our daily needs (Philippians 4:19; Ephesians
3:16).
Use us to glorify You in the earth and to bring as many
people to Heaven with us as will listen to Your gospel and surrender to Your
will in their own life. We love and trust You with our whole heart, soul, mind,
will and strength (Luke 10:27). We give You all of the praise, honor and
blessing due to Your name (Psalm 29:2).
Thought for the Day:
By His grace, God gave us special talents, abilities,
fruit and gifts to bring Him glory with our life.
- Galatians 5:22-23; 1
Corinthians 12:7-11
