We do not need any person, pet,
place or thing to give us a completed life or to bring us joy and fulfillment
in this world (Colossians 2:10). We have no need to beg God for a significant
other, a new home or car, or an upgrade in our vocation or financial
status.
God makes us a new creature in
Christ. He replaces our negative traits with the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians
5:23-25). As we mature spiritually, we see subtle changes in our mind and
attitude, which encourages us to continue to submit to His healing two-edged
sword (Hebrews 4:12).
The reality that we are God's
child dawns in our soul - our thoughts and emotions - and we come to understand
that we have a date with His destiny in our life. We grow more distant from the
values of this world, and we only embrace His ways with our choices.
God's Word is our reference point
for both our faith and our practice. We live for Him in pure, undivided
devotion. With Christ as our foundation through salvation, we build a life by
His Spirit. We grow in spiritual maturity from one stage of glory to the next
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
We love God with all of our
heart, soul, mind and strength, refusing to compromise on essential doctrine;
yet, we show grace and mercy to those who are not as spiritually advanced in
their walk with God as we are at this particular stage in our life.
We realize that God is our judge;
therefore, we feel no compulsion to live up to anyone else's standards and
neither do we need to force others to comply with the convictions to which God
holds us accountable.
Prayer:
Father God, help us to realize
that Christ is our whole life (Colossians 3:3-4). Keep us ever focused on Your
perfect plans for our life so that we can live out our destiny with each day
more fulfilled than the day before. Aspects of this carnal world grow strange
and dim to us. We feel like pilgrims and sojourners on this earth.
Our citizenship and our heart are
in heaven long before You allow us to join You there. We long to enter eternity
with You with the same fervency that You look forward to Your Saints joining
You in heaven (Psalm 116:15). Until then, we give You all of the praise, honor
and glory, both now and forever and ever.
Thought for the Day:
When we discover God's perfect
plan for our life, we can execute justice and mercy both in our life and with
the people around us. We forgive others as well as our self, and we reap the
benefits of God's forgiveness of us as well. - Matthew 6:14-15
