Only by coming to
God can we experience His true light within us. It is impossible to have a
relationship with God without first repenting of our sins and asking Jesus
Christ to be our Savior and King.
If we seek God,
we shall find Him. If we knock, He will open a door for us. If we ask Him to
abide within us, He will answer us.
If we are
convicted of our sin and pray a prayer, it is valid only if we are truly
converted. Otherwise, we simply said a prayer with no lasting spiritual fruit.
We know we are
converted if we experience a hunger for holiness and God's truth. There is a
change in our life that leads to repentance and gradual spiritual maturity.
Justification
transfers our sin onto the cross of Christ and the righteousness of Christ into
our spirit. God's Spirit begins His sanctifying process in our soul and teaches
us that we are a new creation (Romans 8:29).
God sets us free
from the destructiveness of sin (Romans 6:22) and calls us to walk worthy of
our new name and the calling into His family that we receive (Ephesians 4:1).
He implores us to
take the narrow road and to forsake the broad road in life (Matthew 7:13-14).
We submit to God's will as a living sacrifice and a spiritual act of worship,
holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
Prayer:
Father God, as we
mature in Christ, we trust You more and completely surrender to Your call on
each moment. Remind us to listen when we pray, as well as to praise and make
our requests known to You. We do not reap the full benefit of prayer if we do
not sit still and contemplate You as the God of our life (Psalm 46:10).
Prevent us from
being pulled from Your presence by the lies and temptations of the flesh, the
world and the devil. We love You with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength
(Mark 12:30). We draw near to You, knowing that You will also draw near to us (James
4:7).
Thought for the
Day:
All the riches in
the world, which are desirable and sought after, are not even close to comparing
to the gift of Christ in our life. - Job 28:15; Psalm 19:10, 119:127
