God's recipe for eliminating
negative thoughts, words and deeds in our life is for us to focus our thoughts
on what is true and good and right.
He cautions us to think only
about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good aspects in
this life. We can think about all that we can be glad about and for which we
can praise God (Philippians 4:8).
Apart from God, we can accomplish
nothing of lasting value (John 15:5). The Bible declares that Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). If we have
Jesus Christ living in us, He daily delivers us from sin’s dominion by His
resurrection life within us (Romans 5:10).
He
also gives us new values, priorities and goals in life (2 Corinthians 5:17). He
gives us His peace that transcends human understanding (Philippians 4: 6-8). If
we do not have the Son of God living in us, however, we do not have any of this
(1 John 5:12).
Christ’s
salvation goes beyond the spirit to the soul and body as well (1 Thessalonians
5:23). Believers are currently saved in our spirit through Justification, we
will be saved in our body when we see Jesus through Glorification, and lastly
we are being saved in our soul – our mind, will and emotions - through the
lifelong method of Sanctification.
We
desire to know Jesus more intimately every day and to see our self grow into
His beloved, mature child. Our right-standing before God is by faith in all
that Christ accomplished on our behalf.
We do
not have to work for or earn this position. If we really believe this fact,
then we will take advantage of the opportunity, which He gives us to get to
know Him more intimately as our Redeemer, Friend and Brother.
Prayer:
Father
God, You freely offers everyone this gift of a personal relationship with You.
We have the option to either embrace Your friendship or to refuse to
acknowledge You. The choice is ours (John 3:18). You give us this opportunity
to get to know Christ and to grow in our understanding of His power, His
resurrection and in what He has to offer us in eternity.
You
designed the Trinity, so that we can experience firsthand both Christ’s
sufferings and His victories as we walk through our trials with Him within us.
Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5); but in Him we are conquerors
over every trial, because You love us (Romans 8:37).
Thought
for the Day:
We
have the opportunity every day to fellowship with the Trinity; to walk in His
mercy, power and grace; to be led by Him, and to live with Him in eternity in
Heaven.
