As authentic, Born Again Believers we come to know God more intimately over the years, we experience the power of His resurrection in our own life through salvation, and we share in the fellowship of His suffering. Due to Jesus’ persecution, death and resurrection, His Spirit conforms us with the mind of Christ (Philippians 3:10).
We abide in Christ, and He abides in us. He is our Vine, and we are His branches. We hang out with Him, and His Spirit flows through us, bearing fruit for everyone to enjoy and from which we can all benefit. As branches, we cannot bear fruit unless we are connected to Jesus, our Vine (John 15:4-6).
Through this intimate connection, we learn to love the Lord, our God, with our whole heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5). If the Lord does not protect the city, the watchmen on the wall work in vain (Psalm 127:24, 139:1). He has searched us, and He knows us and what we need before we even ask (Psalm 139:23-24).
Our God is mighty and dwells in the midst of us. He saves us and rejoices over us with joyful singing (Zephaniah 3:17). We rest in His love, care and provision. Due to His tender mercy and kindness, He has compassion on us, which we do not deserve and which we cannot earn.
So much so, that He arranged for Jesus to give His life to pay the penalty for all of our sins (Psalm 51:1-19). Our Father God also raises us with Christ and encourages us to seek spiritual things rather than carnal ones. He plans for us to sit with Christ on His right hand (Colossians 3:1).
God even knows how many hairs we have on our head – including the new ones that grow in, and the loose ones that fall out when we brush or wash our hair (Matthew 10:30). His love consumes every part of our life, bathing us with renewed vision, vitality and victory.
Prayer:
Father God, teach us to wait on You, and to trust You to bring Your vengeance and judgment on those who abuse and misuse us. You call us to serve our enemies, and not to take revenge into our own hands (Zephaniah 3:8). We want our focus to remain on You, so that we will live in perfect peace, regardless of our circumstances (Isaiah 26:3).
We want to learn to call upon You in our day of trouble, and to serve You all the days of our life (Psalm 20:1, 27:5, 50:15, 86:7, 107:6). If we are suffering, You call us to pray; if we are blessed, You request that we sing praises to You and to honor Your name, because You are worthy (James 5:13). We trust in You for wisdom, and You show us great and mighty things, which we never thought were possible (Jeremiah 33:3).
Thought for the Day:
If we humble our self and confess our sins – acknowledging that we need Jesus in our life as our Savior – He cleanses us and makes us holy; then, we realize that what we used to value in our life is useless compared to our relationship with Jesus.
- 1 John 1:9; Philippians 3:7-8
