Human Logic or Godly Wisdom

The further we submit to the sanctifying work of God's Spirit in our soul, the more we seek after the divine issues of life rather than the carnal ones. We live to serve our Lord and His Saints, as well as those who do not yet know the saving power of His grace (Titus 2:11).

We walk in peace, which both defies human reasoning and makes people wonder why our trials no longer discourage or depress us (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7). Peace is not a state of mind, for which we can strive after and achieve. Trusting God takes the opposite of effort, and only comes when we give up control of every aspect of our life to the point of complete surrender.

A time of daily devotion, including Bible meditation and praise of God for His wondrous works in our life and in the world around us, helps to facilitate this process. Then, when our soul frets over the issues we face, God's Spirit helps our spirit to overlook all of the worries and fears and to trust in God's faithfulness.

God reveals His plans to us in His timing; but He will never reveal His will to us before we really need to know it. This helps us to develop patience and to die to our carnal nature. We live in holy contentment as He conquers our earthly concerns. God's Spirit transforms our carnal mind with the steadfast mind of Christ (James 1:8).

When our only desire is to know Jesus, who is our only way, truth and life (John 14:6; Philippians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 1:30), the wisdom from God's Spirit pours into our spirit. We seek only God's pleasure in everything we think, say and do. We no longer rely on our human mind to direct our steps, but we trust in the wisdom of God.

Prayer:

Father God, we grow in unity with Your Trinity as we discontinue the futile habit of trying to control our life. Our awareness of Your place in our life increases and the intents of our heart reflect Your desires.  We no long exalt human understanding above the leading of Your Spirit (Proverbs 16:7). Thank you for renewing our mind and for allowing Your character to replace the carnal confusion, which formerly restricted our life (Romans 12:2).

Thought for the Day:

The more that we recognize God's voice and live a life of praise, even for the negative aspects of our life, the more peaceful and fulfilled we traverse our trials.

Holy Contentment

 

Our life in Christ has nothing to do with the wisdom of the world. In fact, much of what we do defies natural, scientific laws and worldly expectations. Therefore, some of our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors will reject us over our beliefs and actions (Psalm 14:2-3). They are consumed with their self-important life and cannot conceive of why we would believe the precepts of what they consider an archaic religion (Proverbs 3:7). But we are not alone. Jesus lived a misunderstood life as well (Luke 23:11).

If we renounce the truth of God that we know, we will pay the penalty of a compromised soul. If we search the world to find something or someone to make us happy, we fall short of the glory of God. God does not call us to worship Him only with our mind and understanding, but in spirit and in truth as well (John 4:23-24). God reveals His truth to us as we seek Him with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10). Our life becomes a Bible for others to read (2 Corinthians 3:2).

Satan wants us to believe we are hopeless sinners, unable to rise up to partake in holy living. The truth is that God imparted His divine nature in us (2 Peter 1:4). We are Saints of God (Romans 1:7). We walk as children of the Light and we give no place to the flesh (Ephesians 5:8; Galatians 5:16,25). God causes us to rise up with eagle’s wings as we escape the confines of this natural world (Isaiah 40:31). We trade our heavy load of selfishness and sin for His yoke, which is easy and light (Matthew 11:30).

From within our spirit, rivers of living water flow, straight from the throne of God (John 7:38). Apart from God, we have no righteousness, peace or joy (John 15:5). He saved us, not on our own merit of good works, but according to His mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-5). As we fellowship in His sufferings, we also share in His presence and in His glory (Philippians 3:10). His life flows through our life and brings a holy contentment that transcends worldly trials and tribulation (Philippians 4:12).

Prayer:

Father God, teach us to accept one another and to encourage each other in Your love (Romans 15:7). Unite us with one another by Your  Spirit within us (Ephesians 4:13). Remind us that eternal life is knowing You in an intimate and personal way (John 17:3). We do not need to wait for eternity to have this relationship, but only to trust in Christ for our salvation. We can only bear fruit for Your Kingdom as we abide in You (John 15:5). Your love for us knows no bounds. It fills us to overflowing with gratitude and wonder.

Thought for the Day:

Holy contentment comes to those who possess peace with who they are in Christ and in what God provides for them.