It is
healthy for us to take an inventory of our thoughts and feelings every day
(John 7:24). This prevents negative thoughts and emotions from piling up in our
soul and exploding at the least provocation.
Satan's
lies, our own insecurities plus neurosis from our past, and the world's
judgment on us keep us enslaved to negative thinking. Yet, God's Word
admonishes us to take our thoughts captive in Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
We tend to
dwell on this temporal earth, embroiled by human reasoning and trapped by the
hour glass of time - still eating from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of
good and evil and attempting to save our self (Genesis 2:17, 3:5).
These
negative constraints affect our thoughts and emotions. We attempt to improve
our self, but whatever is conceived by the flesh can be aborted by the flesh.
We live on a hamster's wheel - always running, but getting nowhere fast.
However, there is hope for us in God (Psalm 63:2:5; Romans 15:13).
God chose us
and loved us while we were still sinners (John 15:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:8).
At salvation, He makes us His Children and co-heirs with Jesus (Galatians 3:26;
1 John 3:2; Romans 8:17). His Spirit is building us into His house (Hebrews
3:6).
We cannot
craft any lasting changes to our character in order to earn His love. He makes
us clean - not by our good deeds and intentions, but by the blood of Christ
(John 15:3; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Psalm 127:1).
Jesus makes
us wise, righteous, redeemed and a new creation; so that we glory in the Lord
rather than to take the credit (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Christ in us
continually draws us into a more intimate union with Himself and our Father
(Colossians 1:20). We simply obey (John 14:15).
Prayer:
Father God,
Your love frees us from doubt and condemnation, which are fed to us by our own
insecurities, the world's condemnation and Satan's lies. Please draw our loved
ones away from the seduction of this world, deliver them from the lies of the
devil, and allow them to feel Your love and conviction cascading over them like
a waterfall.
In You there
is no shame for our failings and idiosyncrasies, only love and acceptance just
the way we are (Romans 5:8). Your Spirit perfects us through a lifetime of sanctifying
exercises (1 Thessalonians 5:23). You make us one with You and Jesus Christ
through His residing presence and Your Spirit's sanctifying work in us until
You become our whole life (Colossians 3:3-4).
Thought for
the Day:
Jesus is one
with us in spirit and in truth; and He brings us into His rest in His perfect
peace and love as we keep our soul focused on Christ in us. - Colossians 1:27;
Isaiah 26:3
