Abundant Life

Humans foolishly count our worth by the fame, fortune and success we achieve in this world. These are fleeting and transitory and can change with an unforeseen event in an instant.

As followers of Christ, we no longer pursue aspects pertaining to this earthly realm, but we focus our mind, affections and goals on the purposes of God for us (Colossians 3:2).

God changes our nature from carnal, earthly flesh to one full of purity, Godliness and spirituality (2 Corinthians 3:18). He gives us a way out of every future temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

On top of that, He saves us from the punishment of our sins (Romans 6:23). Then He moves into our spirit to live His life through us.

Once we come to an epiphany of our union with Christ, anything is possible, according to the will of God (Mark 10:27). God graciously forgives our sin debt (1 John 1:9).

We no longer desire to fulfill the deeds of the flesh in our mortal body; because we are putting on the new self, which Jesus is renewing within us (Colossians 3:10).

When we focus on our life with an earthly perception, we experience stress, anxiety, anger and many other negative emotions. The consequences of our choices and actions follow us into eternity.

We are never more fulfilled than when we are walking closest to God through Christ in us. He walks with us every moment of every day, giving us His strength to go through every trial, making them adventures in which we can find His joy (Philippians 2:12).

Prayer:

Father God, with our mind focused on You, we walk in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Our deepest affections are reserved just for You. As we focus on this life with an eternal perspective, we are only interested in Your intentions, instructions and inclusion of us in Your plans.

Your peace, which transcends all human understanding, fills our heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). We want nothing more than to bask in Your presence and to walk in step with You through each moment of our life.

Thought for the Day:

True abundance in this life only comes when we adopt a spiritual purpose. - Matthew 6:19-21

The Surrendered Soul

Read: Matthew 23: 26-28

“Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother's milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” - Psalm 131:2

People the world over search for significance from sources that do not satisfy the longing in their soul. Some read volumes of tomes in dusty libraries, seeking for truth. Others travel the world, looking for their soul mate. Fame, fortune and success sidetrack some. Secular philosophies and worldly religions attract many others. But, those who truly desire to find the ultimate Truth realize that their only salvation is found in Jesus Christ. At this moment of revelation, we enter into a union with Christ that is spiritual, intimate and divine.

Through a simple prayer of repentance and dependence, we reach out to the Trinity. God moves in at that very moment and breathes new life into our spirit. We are born again by the Spirit of God. Jesus justifies us through salvation and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our spirit. Also at that moment, the Holy Spirit brings resurrection life to our soul – our mind, will and emotions; and He walks with us through the life-long journey of sanctifying our soul.

In the process of making us holy, Christ also heals the soul, which is wounded by past experiences. He pours out His unconditional love on the soul starving for affection. He nurtures the soul, which lacks self-worth. He changes the attitude of the soul, which is angry, bitter and unforgiving. Slowly, our doubts, fears, insecurities, self-centeredness, hurt feelings, bitterness and rage diminish as He replaces them with the His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self-control and faith. He also protects the soul from the deceptions and illusions of counterfeit alternatives, which Satan uses to allure us away from God and back toward worldly values driven by satanic influences. 

As a man, Jesus also suffered great turmoil in His soul. This is exemplified on the day prior to His crucifixion. When Jesus faced the cross, He took His closest friends to the garden to pray. He revealed to them His need, “My soul is so deeply grieved that I feel like it is strangling the very life from me. Wait here and pray with me” (Matthew 26: 38, paraphrased).

As the passion of his soul-wrenching prayer intensified, his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44). He prayed for several hours, until He could surrender His desires to His Father’s will (Luke 22:42). Then as He focused on the joy set before him in heaven, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and eventually sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

In laying down His life, Jesus raised our spirit, soul and body from the mire of sin. His ultimate desire is to possess us as a Bridegroom embracing His bride. Daily, He increases our spiritual awareness and our life blossoms from the inside out. The life and spirit of the Word become engrained in our soul (Jeremiah 15:16 and I Peter 2:2) and we walk in holiness as we follow His Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.

God is a peaceful Lord over our soul. He woos us as the Lover in the Song of Solomon. He calls us into a deeper personal relationship with Himself until we change our focus from worldly pursuits to His eternal quest. He transforms our natural mind with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Eventually, carnality sickens us as much as it does the Lord. We no longer desire to do anything except what pleases Him. We yield our desires more and more to His will. We relinquish to Him all the power over our life. We do this, not in painful submission, but in the joy-filled surrender of our soul.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul (Psalm 86:4). Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way in which I should go, for to You I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8). I shall love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with my entire mind, and with all my strength (Mark 12:30).

Thought for the Day:

The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam, Jesus, became a life-giving spirit. - 1 Corinthians 15: 45