The
greatest aspect of our relationship with God is to come to intimately know Him
as the one true Father of compassion, the God of all comfort, and to realize
that He wants to accomplish His plans through Christ, who abides within us (2 Corinthians 1:3; John 17:3).
Without
the understanding of Christ dwelling within us, we cannot walk in victory over
sin, sickness and death. Once we come to an epiphany of our union with Christ, however,
anything is possible, according to the will of God (Mark 10:27; Colossians
3:3-4).
Humans
foolishly count our worth through an earthly perception of the fame, fortune
and success that we achieve in this world. These are fleeting and transitory
and can change in an instant with an unforeseen event, swamping us with a deluge
of negative emotions.
Instead
of striving to find our place in this world, we can put on the new self, which
Jesus is renewing within us (Colossians 3:10). He also gives us His Spirit to
teach us all things that we need to know for a successful life of Godliness (1
Corinthians 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3).
We
serve our God who graciously forgives our sin debt, as well as saving us from
the punishment of our sins (1 John 1:9; Romans 6:23). We no longer yearn to
fulfill the deeds of our flesh in our mortal body. God provides us with the
desire and the power to bring Him pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
God
changes our nature from a carnal, earthly fleshly one, to one full of purity, holiness
and spirituality (2 Corinthians 3:18). He gives us a way out of every future
temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He walks with us and in us every moment
of every day.
He
always gives us His strength to go through every trail, as He delivers us through
it (Philippians 2:12). With our mind focused on God, we walk in perfect peace
(Isaiah 26:3). Our deepest affections are reserved just for Him.
Prayer:
Father
God, it is foolish to count our worth according to our fame, fortune or success
in this life. These are fleeting and transitory and can change in an instant. Remind
us that as followers of Christ, it is anticlimactic to pursue aspects
pertaining to this earthly realm.
Help
us to focus our mind, affections and goals on Your purposes for us (Colossians
3:2). We no longer desire to fulfill the yearning of our mortal body; because
we are putting on the new self, which Jesus is renewing within us (Colossians
3:10). We are never more fulfilled than when we are walking closest to You through
Christ in us.
Thought
for the Day:
The
consequences of our choices and actions follow us into eternity; true abundance
in this life only comes when we adopt a spiritual purpose, and focus on an
eternal perspective, which allows our interests to center on God’s intentions,
instructions and His inclusion of us in His plans.
-
Matthew 6:19-21
