When
I was little, my mommy used to read me this story. The whole plan of salvation in
one beautiful story. I still remember the words of the first few pages. Was
this the foundation for my ultimate acceptance of Christ's salvation at age 18?
(
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uq6BMPCJdo )
I
read this same book to my three children, as well as my grandchildren. I am praying
that these beautiful words inspire them as they did me, they changed my life then
and forever.
When
an entity as big as God moves into our life, He gives us new life. Things
change in us and around us, and we often grapple with this change, because many
of us do not like change. We learn to adapt, but we still experience fears and
insecurity.
Christ
is the Word of God who existed with God before the creation of the world, and He
is God (Hebrews 4:12; John 1:1-14). God birthed Jesus as His only begotten Son
when His Spirit conceived Him as a mortal man in the virgin Mary.
When
Christ moves in, we serve Him by the strength which God supplies (Philippians
2:12-13). This brings God glory and honor through Jesus Christ in us (1 Peter
4:10-11). We used to be slaves to sin, but now we owe our allegiance to Christ
as slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:1-18).
Our
human wisdom, goals and ambitions are submitted to Christ in us. Even our
physical life is His. As we decrease through the sanctification process, He
increases within us (John 3:30).
We
will also be raised with Christ into immortality, because death no longer has
any mastery over us in Christ. Jesus died once for anyone who wants to believe
in Him (John 3:16-18). Through His life within us, we will live forever with
God.
We
are no longer our own. Our life is hidden with Christ in God through the Holy
Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 3:14, 6:4; Romans 6:11). As we
realize that we are now dead to sin (Colossians 3:3), Christ can live in and
through us in holiness.
As we live a surrendered life to Him, Jesus is more and more able to express Himself through our body, spirit and soul –
our mind, will and emotions. He has
perfect plans for us as we commit to walking by His Spirit in His will
(Galatians 5:15-25).
Prayer:
Father
God, humanity considers Your laws restrictive and oppressive. We want the
freedom to sin against others, but we blame You when others sin against us.
Your judgment is never mean or vindictive. It is Your loving attempt to draw us
away from sin and back into Your protection and abundance. We surrender our
life to You, because Father knows best.
Before
you send any judgment on the earth, You give Your people every opportunity to
repent and to return to You (Jeremiah 15:19). We rejoice that these same people
that give You the most grief through their hatred, give You unrivaled joy the
instant they humble themselves, repent, trust in You and obey the leading of
Your Spirit (Luke 15:7).
Thought
for the Day:
Born
Again Believers are part of Christ’s Body (Romans 8:9), and His Holy Spirit
transforms our life by giving us His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23); we simply respond
by relinquishing the depravity in our life in exchange for the holiness of God
(Romans 12:1-2).
