Freed from Bondage

 

As we contemplate the Lord’s glory, which comes from the Spirit of the Lord, we are transformed with ever increasing glory into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:2). In Him we live and move and have our existence (Acts 17:28).

He dwells in us and lives through us (2 Corinthians 6:16), being glorified in us (John 17:10). We are freed from the chains of bondage to this earth into the glorious liberty of the children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:19-21).

Since we abide in Him, we now walk just as He walked (1 John 2:1-6). In our flesh, we are still able to fall into temptation; but in Christ all the fullness of the triune God dwells in us.

Nothing this world has to offer has any appeal to us any more (Titus 2:11-14). If we take the time to walk in the Spirit, we can enjoy the same spirit-led existence that Jesus and the Biblical characters and writers did (Luke 6:40).

We have fellowship with the triune God all of the time, just as Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). There is an unbroken tie that transcends barriers of time and space.

As we walk in the Spirit, Jesus lives through us. We follow God's will for us in the smallest details of our life, seeing His Spirit's power and anointing lived out in our lives.

It is not a matter of legalism or dead works, but of abiding in the Spirit in our every waking moment. We listen and we obey and we see the salvation of our God played out in our life and in the world around us.

Prayer:

Father God, Christ, who dwells in us, is Your exact image, even though You are our invisible God. Jesus contains all of Your attributes and character, and since Jesus dwells within us by Your Spirit, then all of Your attributes and character dwell within us as well (Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

Your Holy Spirit sanctifies us throughout our lifetime until we are perfected according to the fullest measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ in us (Ephesians 4:13). We can walk in Your holiness and abide in Your Spirit every moment of every day.

Thought for the Day:

We are adopted sons of God (Ephesians 1:5), joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17) and one with our triune God (John 17:22).

Divine Creativity

Read: Isaiah 65: 17-19

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen 1:1 (NKJV)

In the beginning, God created. What a wonderful vision these two phrases invoke in my mind’s eye! All that power swirling and flowing and forming the heavens, the earth and all that is in them! God went one step further and placed this powerful creativity in the heart of mankind also. Aesthetic details from Biblical authors are evident in the description of their biographies and autobiographies, as well as the poetic flare in the language used in several Biblical books. Many verses also attest to the inspired genius of Bible characters (Ex 31:2-11; 1 Chronicles 29:5; 2 Chronicles 34:11; Genesis 41:33-36; Esther 5, 7).

Jesus’ exhibits His storytelling expertise in His parables, which demonstrates the creativity He uses in His relationship with mankind. These parables illustrate the revelation of His character, plan, intention and care for humanity. The Bible is full of the inspiration of mankind as he/she follows the leading of God’s creative Spirit within them. Believers, then and now, reveal the gospel story to unbelievers through God’s creativity flowing through us.

Magical music, nurturing nursing, imaginative art, noteworthy news reporting, graphic designers, public speakers, craftsmen and women, striking fashions and creative hobbies all flow from us through the creative genius resident within our Father God. Each stroke of brilliance in mankind is a tribute to the insight that flows through us from the throne of God. God plants a seed in our imagination, and the Spirit brings fruit from it. Sadly, however, people usually take the glory for their resourcefulness, instead of giving praise to God who birthed the seed of genius within us.

In addition, our carnal nature often uses this innovative power for evil. We dream up ways to better our self at the expense of others, stepping on the downtrodden to build our own little empire. God intended for us to share in His creative influence with others in order to create a better environment for everyone. He also wants to nurture our spiritual power, so that we can inspire spiritual activities in others. We do not need to wait until heaven to find a place with no more tears, nor do we need an artist’s talent to create. God imparted His creativity in all of us to help our world to evolve into a better place for everyone to live.

The Spirit helps us to imaginatively relate the old, old story of Christ’s redemption to others as we communicate it with discernment, motivation and passion. In fact, He will use us in ways we never imagined. From your smile comes a responding grin, from your kindness springs more thoughtfulness, from your hospitality generosity grows and from your liberality more charity abounds. As we all allow God’s love to continually flow through us, we can change our world.

Prayer:
Father God, let us act as Your playmates in the creative processes of life. Help us to allow Your Spirit to flow through us, so that we can help to bring forth Your Son in the hearts of everyone we meet. Plant in us the fruit of Your Spirit and help them to replace the carnal nature, which resides deep within our human psyche. Allow Your sanctifying process to perfect us one day at a time.

Thought for the Day:
Recognizing the hidden qualities in the ordinary aspects of life is what creativity is all about.

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Linda Dunaske, for the use of your photo.

The Balancing Act

Read: Matthew 6:25-34

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."  - Luke 22:42-43

A child’s spinning top and a seal spinning a ball on its nose have little in common except that both of their performances require balance. This caused me to think about the balance in our lives. Often we find ourselves thrown off center by spinning confusion and instability. Each compartment we meticulously created now slants like the Tower of Pisa and everything falls to one side.

Conditions appear out of control. We get disoriented and feel insecure and fearful. We panic and make poor decisions. We try unsuccessfully to manage the people and events in our life in an attempt to make us feel safe again. But this never helps and usually increases our anxiety by creating frustration in others.

As we keep our eyes on Jesus ~ the author and finisher of our faith ~ feelings of peace replace disheartening panic and uncertainty. We live our lives according to His example. He prayed before beginning each day. He lived in the moment and did not worry about tomorrow. Jesus listened to His Father and followed His will in every word and deed. His focus stayed on God’s kingdom rather than on amassing worldly goods and fame. 

As we walk the tightrope of life, rather than focusing on the details of our circumstances that often spin out of control, we can focus inwardly on the peace that He gives us. Then we focus on the balance God affects in our life as He uses our Spirit-led responses to these circumstances. Life varies like the ocean with a continuous ebb and flow. Trusting God more and striving less gives us a life raft to ride out these storms of life. Faith in God’s faithfulness imparts serenity to our inner core that is consistent regardless of the circumstances (James 1:2-4).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach us to keep our eyes focused on You, so that the Murphy’s Law that controls life on this earth does not cause us to get too discouraged or to lose hope all together. Help us to discern Your will in our circumstances, which You use to bring forth Your fruit in our life. Show us clearly how You are working all things out for our good.  

Thought for the Day:

God’s peace within us displaces fear and uncertainty regardless of our circumstances.