Focusing on the Eternal

 

I was born with a melancholy personality. Over the years of my life, God's Spirit transformed many of the negative melancholy characteristics into His fruit. I went from a reclusive introvert to a spirit-filled extrovert.

I used to drown in depression, but now I only experience brief moments of melancholy. My former pessimism is swallowed up by optimistic faith in God's faithfulness (Hebrews 12:2). It is all a matter of our focus.

Do we see the glass half empty or half full? We make innumerable choices every day, all day. If we use the Philippians 4:8-9 formula, we will choose to think about, say and do only positive words and deeds.

We keep our mind on eternal matters, rather than on worldly, carnal aspects of life. "God promises that if we take care of His business, He will take care of ours" - Kevin Bradley (Matthew 6:33).

Unless we are reaping some corruption, which we sowed into our life, there is nothing that will happen to us, which is not already part of God's plan for us. Give the truth of this statement some time to sink into your soul.

We no longer tremble in fear of the next natural disaster, relational issue or financial loss devastating us. God has all of this, every single part of it, under His sovereign control. He has a perfect plan for our life (Ephesians 2:10).

Although the destruction accompanying trials seems horrendous at the time, there is always a seed for a miracle in the midst of the catastrophe, and it will eventually turn out for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Prayer:

Father God, You never allow Your Saints, whom You make righteous in Christ, to go hungry (Proverbs 10:3; Psalm 37:25). When we honor and obey You, we lack no good thing (Psalms 34:9-10). As we trust in You, we prosper in every area of our life (Proverbs 28:25). We are Your adopted children, because of our position in Christ (Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:20). You are our good and loving Father and You care about every aspect of our life.

​Thought for the Day:

We serve a living Savior and minister at the pleasure of our King.

Struggles in Life

 

Why do we struggle so hard in life as a Christian? Isn’t God supposed to make a difference in our life? Where is He when we need him? Why does He let bad things happen to me and my family? Do you ever feel this way? You are not alone; many people do. In fact, even the Israelites, God’s chosen people, had a bone to pick with God now and then.

There are only two answers to these questions. It is really very simple. Are you seeking God so that He can bless your life while you live out your plans and goals? Are you entertaining sin in your life? Then God simply cannot bless you. The other answer is that you are experiencing a trial and God’s miracle is just around the corner.

The only way to experience the intimate love, the serene peace or the unlimited joy promised to us in the Bible is to live life God’s way. When we realize that we are living for our self, we repent of every sin and we wake up each morning entirely at God’s disposal. We apply for the job He directs us to take. We eat the foods He prompts us to eat.

We avoid the sin that He warns us is trying to tempt us. We humbly and sincerely ask, “Lord, lead me to do Your will each moment of this day.” Then we wait patiently, listening with our inner ear to His promptings in our spirit. This opens the windows of heaven’s blessings on our life. When we live in absolute surrender to God’s will, even trials and tragedies work out for our good (Romans 8:28).

We enjoy a constant flow of provision in body, soul and spirit; the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and an intimate relationship with Christ in us. We do not always have what we want, because God knows that it will not be good for us. However, we do have many more blessings in every area of our life than we deserve and shows us deeper levels of holiness and intimacy with Him.

Prayer:

Father God, reveal to us the areas of our life, which are not in one accord with Your will for our life. Lead us to deeper, higher and wider intimacy with You than we ever experienced before. Help us to realize that Your anointed Son lives in us and provides us with love, joy and peace in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. Thank You for giving Yourself so completely to us; and help us to totally surrender every area of our life to You.

Thought for the Day:

The only true need in our life is to depend upon God’s Spirit to keep us in the presence of God each moment of every day.