God
gives us the measure of His Holy Spirit within us to profit everyone in our
sphere of influence (1 Corinthians 12:7). We have the choice of chaining Him to
our unholy, carnal desires, or setting Him free by our desire to live a holy
life (2 Timothy 3:12), in order for Him to work in and through us for the glory
of God.
God
is always close at hand, and is not far away in some heavenly kingdom (Jeremiah
23:23; Acts 17:24-28). We are examples of His goodness, provision, protection,
and power in an individual life, and we cling to His mercy, love, peace and joy
(John 1:7-9; Ephesians 3:17).
We
tell everyone who will listen that by His grace, Jesus' salvation is free for
all (Romans 3:23, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Titus 2:11). People see how
He works in and through our life as the temple of His Spirit (Romans 1:19), and
they realize the extent of the riches of His glory within us, His Saints,
through Christ in us (Colossians 1:2 7).
The
Pharisees, proficient in their knowledge of the Old Testament truth, rejected
Jesus, because they did not hear or see God in Him. They were too wrapped up in
their private interpretation of God's Word, and missed the truth of it in their
midst (John 5:37-40).
Unlike
them, authentic Believers are God's people, and He walks with us and abides in
us (2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 4:6). He never gives up on us. We can grieve
Him by our thoughts, words and deeds; however, we can never cause Him to leave
or to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; Galatians 4:19).
At
salvation, we receive His anointing, which abides within us. It teaches us what
we need to know about living the Christian life. It is true and righteous, and it
enables us to dwell in Christ (1 John 2:27). We bear much fruit for Him, which
honors our Heavenly Father and glorifies His name, as it proves that we are His
true followers (John 15:5-6, 8).
Prayer:
Father
God, show us how to test our self to be sure that Christ abides in us by Your
Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:5). Allow the words of Jesus to richly dwell in
our spirit with all of His wisdom, teachings, exhortation and inspiration. We want
to worship You in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24), and to sing continual
melodies in our heart to You (Colossians 3:16).
Help
us not to walk in the flesh, but by Your Holy Spirit's guidance and control. We
are spiritually alive, and we prosper by the righteousness of Christ within us
(Romans 8:9-10). We rightly call You "our Father," because the Spirit
of Christ is in our heart (Galatians 4:6). The suffering that we endure on this
earth is minimal compared to the glory, which You will reveal in us and to us
throughout eternity (Romans 8:18).
Thought
for the Day:
If
we seek the Lord, we shall surely find Him; if we knock, He will open the door
wide for us; and if we ask, He will give us everything that we need in life in
order to successfully accomplish His will for us.
-
Matthew 7:7-8
