The reality that we are God's
child enlightens our soul - our choices, thoughts and emotions - and we come to
understand that we are chosen by God for His purpose.
This fact causes us to grow more
distant from the values of this world, and to choose to embrace His ways as our
only choices. We live for Him in pure, undivided devotion.
We do not need any person, pet,
place or thing to complete our 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's Word is our reference point
for both our faith and our practice. With Christ as our foundation through
salvation, we build a new life by the
direction of God's Spirit.
We grow in spiritual maturity
from one stage of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18). We find healing for
our soul in the books, chapters and verses in God's Word.
We come to 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.
Loving God with all of our heart,
soul, mind and strength, we refuse 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.
When we discover God's perfect
plan for our life, we find peace, joy and fulfillment as we execute mercy both
to our self and to the people around us. We forgive others as well as our self,
and we reap the benefits of God's forgiveness of us (Matthew 6:14-15).
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. This allows us to 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 (Hebrews
11:13).
Our citizenship and our heart are
in heaven long before You allow us to physically join You there (Philippians
3:20). 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 forevermore.
Thought for the Day:
God makes us a new creature in
Christ and replaces our negative traits with the fruit of His Spirit; as we
mature spiritually, we see subtle changes in our thinking and attitude, which
encourage us to continue to submit to the healing He brings through His two-edged
sword.
- Galatians 5:23-25; Hebrews 4:12
