Human beings tend to dwell on this temporal earth, embroiled by human reasoning, trapped by the hourglass of time, still eating from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, and attempting to save our self (Genesis 2:17, 3:5). God's Word admonishes us to take our thoughts captive in Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
It is healthy for us to take an inventory of our thoughts and feelings during every day (John 7:24). This prevents negative contemplations and emotions from overwhelming our soul and exploding at the least provocation. Satan's lies, our own insecurities plus neurosis from our past, and the world's judgment on us often keeps us enslaved to negative thinking.
These negative constraints affect our beliefs and emotions. We attempt to improve our self, but whatever is conceived by carnality can be aborted by carnality. We live on a hamster's wheel - always running yet getting nowhere fast. However, there is hope for us in God (Psalm 63:2:5; Romans 15:13).
God chose us and loved us while we were still sinners (John 15:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:8). At salvation, He makes us His Children and co-heirs with Jesus (Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:17). His Spirit is building us into His house (Hebrews 3:6). Christ in us continually draws us into a more intimate union with Himself, His Spirit, and our Heavenly Father (Colossians 1:20).
We cannot craft any lasting changes to our character in order to earn God’s love. He makes us clean - not by our good deeds and intentions, but by the blood of Christ (John 15:3; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Psalm 127:1). Jesus makes us wise, righteous, redeemed, and a new creation; so that we glory in the Lord rather than to take the credit for our achievements (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
Prayer:
Father God, Your love frees us from doubt and condemnation, which are fed to us by our own insecurities, the world's condemnation, and Satan's lies. Thank You for drawing our loved ones away from the seduction of this world, deliver them from the lies of the devil, and allow them to feel Your love and conviction cascading over them like a waterfall.
In You there is no shame for our failings and idiosyncrasies, only love and acceptance just the way we are (Romans 5:8). Your Spirit perfects us throughout our lifetime (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Thank You for making us one with You and Jesus Christ through His residing presence in us and Your Spirit's sanctifying work in us, until You become our whole life (Colossians 3:3-4).
Thought for the Day:
Jesus is one with us in spirit and in truth; and He brings us into His rest in His perfect peace and love; as we keep our spirit and soul focused on Christ in us, we simply obey His directives and enjoy His peace, joy, divine timing, and a fulfilled life.
- Colossians 1:27; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:15
