Making a Profound Difference

 

God is the Potter, and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8). We are the vessel that contains the liquid. Satan attempts to keep our focus on our innate beauty as a crafted container, or he draws our attention to the flaws and cracks.

However, these do not matter in the larger scheme of life. When we are thirsty, we do not admire the glass, we gulp the liquid in the glass.

We are not the focus in this relationship, but Christ IN us is the focus. We are simply clay jars, made from the dust of the earth; yet, as Born Again Believers, we contain the God of the universe (Colossians 1:27).

Although we are dying daily in our body and carnal nature, God's Spirit give us life (Romans 8:10). God fills us with His presence and Spirit to sanctify our soul and complete us in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11; Colossians 2:10).

Realizing that we are dead and our life is hidden with Christ in God, we relinquish our goals and allow Christ to live through us (Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20).

Christ shines from our heart and radiates to the world around us in the same way in which the light from a bulb emits light in a dark room. We make a profound difference.

We are so united with Christ that His thoughts fill our mind, His wisdom directs our steps, His life flows through us like a river and His love radiates in us and from us (Philippians 2:5; James 1:5; John 7:38; Isaiah 58:11).

Prayer:

Father God, Your grace draws us to Jesus, keeps us pursuing holiness and finishes our perfection through sanctification (1 John 3:2). Jesus is our advocate with You (1 John 2:1), and the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us before You (Romans 8:26).

You each have your function as a person of the Trinity and You complete us within and without (Colossians 2:10). You direct our steps and use us for Your glory to advance Your Kingdom in the earth (Luke 17:21).

Thought for the Day:

Living in the center of God’s will is the happiest place on earth.

Alone With God

How often do we plan to spend some time alone with God, and some earthly distraction looms before us, demanding our undivided attention? We look wistfully at our little prayer chair or prayer closet or secret place and feel the draw of God’s Spirit on our spirit. However, the world pulls our soul – our thoughts, choices and feelings - away from our Beloved Father.

Whenever God claims our attention, Satan makes sure that our mind wanders and our affections are torn. We cannot even finish the train of thought in our prayers before demonic activity highjacks our attention. God longs to liberate us from the demands of our temporal life and to set us free to soar with Him in the spiritual realm. He wants to remove us from our busyness and give us His rest (Hebrews 4:10).

Martha, Jesus’ friend, was distracted by the duties in her world too. She demanded that Jesus order Mary, her sister, to help her to get dinner ready. Jesus told Martha that Mary already chose the best course for her time. There would be plenty of opportunities for domestic activities when Jesus was not in their presence (Luke 10:42). Our duties are always with us too; so schedule time alone with God.

God wants our undivided, focused attention with our vision and thoughts on nothing other than His face. Then God comforts us, inspires us, directs us and loves on us from the depths of our soul. We must jealously guard this time, setting it aside every day or even several times a day. We also commune with God without ceasing all throughout our day (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Prayer:

Father God, You call some of us to the ministry of intercession, and Your Spirit prompts us to lift up certain ones in prayer. Yet, we also spend alone time with You, because in Your presence is fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore (Psalm 16:11). You mold us by Your grace and replace our carnal flesh with the fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). As we contemplate Your glory, You shape us into the image of Christ, our Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Thought for the Day:

Much is accomplished in the spiritual realm when we make the time to spend in the presence of God.

Following Jesus' Example

Jesus lived every moment of His life in dependence on our Father. He did not make His own decisions or live His own life, but consulted the Father throughout His day (Psalm 62:5-12). Our Savior and Brother gave us His perfect example of how God wants each and every Born Again Believer to live his/her life (Romans 8:17); totally surrendered to God and completely expended for Him without any reservations.

Christ’s death atoned for the debt of our sin. He died in our place and took our punishment upon His own body (2 Corinthians 12:9). He redeemed us by shedding His own blood (Matthew 26:28). Now He sits on His throne on high and intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). He is our advocate with our Father (1 John 2:1). At the same time, He dwells within us by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), empowering us to live a transformed life (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Jesus is the head of His Body, comprised of His Born Again Saints (1 Corinthians 12:27). The only way for us to truly experience the power of Christ’s resurrection is to conform to His death and become like Him (Philippians 3:10). As we die to our flesh Christ manifests His life in and through us (Romans 6:5). He impliments and perfects His life in us.  As we share in His sufferings, our comfort abounds (2 Corinthians 1:5).

Are we ready to die to the world and to our goals, aspirations, desires and wants for God? Does anything in our life mean more to us than God? Jesus did not come to do His will, but our Fathers (John 4:34). Do we have a separate agenda of our own that we prefer to follow instead of God’s will for our life? Living in the center of God’s will is the happiest place on earth.

Prayer:

Father God, knowing You in an intimate relationship is the reality of eternal life (John 17:3). We do not need to wait until heaven for this to occur. We can know You now. Bring us into spiritual maturity so that we can obtain the complete fullness of Christ in our body, soul and spirit (Ephesans 4:13). Remind us that as we conform to Jesus’ death, we live victoriously in His life. In eternity, we will also share in His glory (1 Peter 4:13).

Thought for the Day:

Only as we die to self will the life of Christ manifest in our life.

Our True Identity

 

 

We do not base our identity on the talents of our flesh or the state of our soul – our mind, choices and emotions; but on our relationship with Christ. Our authentic self is found in the person of Jesus Christ who dwells within us. We find our success by living, moving and having our existence in His divine presence (Acts 17:28). For instance, God took my insecure, introverted, melancholic personality and exchanged it for the fruit of His Spirit one aspect at a time. Thanks to the Holy Spirit’s regeneration, I am Christ secured and assured. I look at life through His outlook of faith and I never meet a stranger (Romans 12:2). That is true transformation!

God searches our hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will (Romans 8:27). His life is manifested through us as we follow the leading of His Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:12; Galatians 5:25). Jesus pours out His life in us to others (John 12:24; 1 Peter 2:20-25). As we follow His direction, He prospers our way and gives us His success (Joshua 1:8). He matures and fortifies us, as He makes His home in us (1 Peter 5:10). He also meets the needs of others through us, so that we might win to Christ whoever is willing to believe (1 Corinthians 9:22).

The Lord does not remove us from temptation or tribulation. Since He lives in us, He walks through it with us. He gives us everything we need to resist trials and to withstand sin’s persuasion; we simply need to utilize his wisdom and strength. He gives us His mind about the movies we watch, the books we read, the television we view and the people we hang around with. If we choose to ignore Him, then we will certainly reap corruption in our body, soul and spirit. If we choose to follow the Spirit’s leading, we will shine like stars in the Heavens (Philippians 2:12-18).

We have the abiding love and peace of God residing within us (Romans 5:5; Ephesians 2:14). We desire to live Godly lives, and we have everything we need to accomplish this through Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:13; 2 Peter 1:3). We are controlled and guided by His Spirit, which fills us (Ephesians 5:18). This is accomplished by the particular gifts of the Spirit, which He gives to each one of us individually (Ephesians 4:8-16; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31). Christ performs His work through us, which God prepared for us before the world ever began (Ephesians 2:10). 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we function in life as a lamp, a vessel or a branch. You are the Light, which shines through our lamp, the vine to which our branch is connected and the substance within our vessel. We bear Your life in us, and it flows through us out into the world (John 15:5; Romans 9:21). We have no goodness of our own, not even by keeping the mandates of Biblical law. Our human attempts at righteousness are simply filthy rags in Your sight (Isaiah 64:6). It is only by faith in You that we receive in our spirit Your imputed righteousness (Philippians 3:9).

Thought for the Day:

Once we are dead to this world, we no longer submit to its standards, practice its worldly religious rituals or partake in fleshly extravagances. - Colossian 2:20-23

 

The Holy Spirit in the Believer

We have love from the Father, grace from Jesus and communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). The Spirit seals, justifies and sanctifies us in the name of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 1:22). He also sheds the joy and love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:3-5). He changes us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Our body is the temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19). The Holy Spirit fills us with righteousness, peace and joy, so that we abound in hope through His power (Romans 14:17, 15:13).

Our talents from God are not performed by human effort, but in demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4, 12:4-11). We speak, not according to human reasoning, but according to God’s wisdom, which the Holy Spirit teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). By God’s Spirit we proclaim that Jesus is Lord. We operate in His gifts and minister in His name (1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 6:4-6). If we do not have the Spirit, we do not belong to God (Romans 8:9).

Our unconverted spirit is dead in sin and ungodliness. If we live in the flesh, we will die in the flesh. However, if we take up our cross and die to the flesh each day, we are free from the spirit of bondage to sin and we receive the Spirit of adoption as children of God (Romans 8:10-16, 23). The Holy Spirit within us searches our heart, helps our human frailties and makes intercession for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

By sin and obstinacy, we can resist the Holy Spirit and stop His work in our lives and in the world around us (Acts 7:51). As we submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He leads us to serve in the areas of our spiritual gifts. In this way, we obey the will of God and further His Kingdom in the earth (Acts 20:28). As we walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, we are free from the law of sin and death. The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us (Romans 8:1-4).

Abraham became the father of believing Gentiles through Christ, so that we can receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14, 4:6). The carnal flesh within us wars against the Spirit, but the Spirit within us is stronger (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6). We do not perfect our self through works of the flesh and sheer will power, because the Spirit, who began a good work of perfection in us, will completely sanctify us (Galatians 3:1-3). We, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of this righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5).

If we cater to the flesh, we reap the corruption of the flesh, but if we focus on the things of the Spirit, then we reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:8). Therefore, if we walk in the Spirit, we do not fulfill the lusts of our flesh (Galatians 5:16-18). As we crucify the flesh with its desires and live by the Spirit, He strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16). The Spirit fills us with His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25).

We are not to grieve or quench the Spirit, who seals us until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). We use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and pray in the Spirit with perseverance. We also pray in the spirit to intercede for all the Saints, especially for the persecuted church (Ephesians 6:17-18; Philippians 1:19). We are to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, so that we do not live in carnal excess, such as being drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18).

The Holy Spirit warns us that in the last days, people will depart from the faith, giving more credence to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons instead of to God’s truth (1 Timothy 4:1). However, God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). The Bible is our guide for our faith and practice. We live, not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but only by His mercy. God washes, regenerates and renews our spirit by the Holy Spirit, which He abundantly sheds on all of us through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:5-6).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Your blood gives us eternal salvation through the Spirit of God, because You offered Yourself up to death on the cross to purge our conscience of dead works so that we can serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2). Those who trample the concept of Your blood and consider it worthy of scorn, even though the Holy Spirit clearly proclaims that salvation comes only through You, gain for themselves a harsh punishment (Hebrews 10:29). Help us to share the good news of Your Gospel with everyone who will give us the opportunity, so we can help to spare them from eternal damnation.

Thought for the Day:

We can build up our faith by praying in the Spirit. - Jude 1:19-20
(More about praying in the Spirit tomorrow.)

 

Drawing Near to God

Read: Hebrews 10:19-22

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because in order to draw near to Him, we must believe that He exists and that He rewards all those who diligently seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6

In the Old Testament covenant, the Jews could never enter the Holy of Holies. Even the priests could not enter. Coming close to God was a privilege only available to the High Priest, and he could do this just once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2). The New Testament tells us that Christ’s death on the cross opened the way for us to draw near to the throne of God with confidence any time we want to do so (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19; Ephesians 3:12). We have this new and living way to approach God with a true heart full of assurance and faith. Drawing near to God is an act of humbling your heart and submitting your will to His.

When we diligently seek God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). As we come to Him, God sprinkles our heart with the atoning blood of Calvary’s cross (Mark 15:38). We are washed by the pure, living water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:19-22). Drawing near to God is a spiritual process rather than a physical one. We can draw near to God by going to church or to a solitary peaceful place; but it can also be done in the midst of a busy subway, a traffic jam, a hospital bed, a board meeting or a desk filled with a ringing phone and work piled to the ceiling. Make it your top priority of each day to draw near to God before you do anything else.

There is a small gate and narrow road, which leads to the Way, Truth and Life (John 14:6); and only a few actually humble themselves, do the will of God with their life and find it (Matthew 7:13-14, 10:38; John 6:40). The wide gate and broad road only lead to destruction. Unfortunately, many try to enter Heaven through this broad way. They believe that all religions and lifestyles lead to eternal bliss. However, the Bible is clear that only those who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). God only opens the Kingdom of Heaven to true Believers in Jesus Christ who draw near to Him.

Not everyone who claims the name of Lord or who does miraculous works will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Satan actually uses some of these good people to draw others into his kingdom. Being good and doing religious works does not guarantee us a place in Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9). These people are actually not relying on the power of God in their lives, but on their own self-efforts instead. In fact, Jesus told us a parable that proves that some of those who name the name of Christ here on earth have no idea who He really is. They do not know him personally and He will not welcome them into Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).

Turning away from a life of sinful pursuits and turning toward a life of holiness in Christ  (James 2:17) brings us more than Salvation and a guaranteed place in Heaven. It gives us the right to draw near to God with confidence at any time of the day or night. In His presence, we find mercy and grace to help us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). God is approachable and available to us. By His abiding power and wisdom within us, He helps us to stand against the devil and to resist his deception (James 4:7). He uses our circumstances to cause us to run to Him in our distress, so He can transform us into Christ’s image. Jesus lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God, and He is able to save us forever (Hebrews 7:25).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I pray for those who prefer to travel the broad road of life. They are traveling in a throng into the eternal fires of hell. I pray that You will catch them away from this everlasting darkness and bring them into Your eternal Light. Help everyone who hears Your Word to respond to it and to humble themselves and take advantage of your generous provision of mercy and grace as we draw near to You.

Thought for the Day:

A revelation of the majesty and holiness of God is a basic necessity for appreciating the love of God.





Many thanks to Heather Johnson for the use of her photo.

God's Perfect Plan

Read: Romans 8:5-39

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37

Our finite view of life is so limiting. We get so bogged down in the problems, issues, hindrances, illnesses, and negativity inherent in life in this world. Freedom from these issues is just a prayer away, however. God has a perfect plan for each of our lives.

 

Our whole perspective changes when we live in His will and set our affections on things above rather than things of this earth (Colossians 3:2-3).  

The battle does not belong to us. It is God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15). We have no need to be afraid or discouraged over life’s problems. We can focus our thoughts, emotions and beliefs on God. His words are totally trustworthy. Our faith in Him to have a perfect plan no matter what situation we are facing is not in vain. We are God’s children and co-heirs with Christ. Although we share in His sufferings in this life, we will also share in His glory (Romans 8:16-18).

Even God’s creation groans to be liberated from the bondage and decay of this corrupt world (Romans 8:19-20). Creation looks forward, as we do, for the glorious freedom of the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8:21-23). We have hope in His coming and this gives us patience to endure the trials in our life (Romans 8:24-25).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, and even when we have no idea how to pray. The Spirit hears our groans and understands exactly how we feel; therefore, He intercedes for us according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit also gives us the confidence that God is working all things, even the worst of afflictions, out for our good (Romans 8:28).

God knows our heart and He conforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, through the process of Sanctification. Through His Spirit, we have assurance that He called us, justified us and will glorify us when Jesus returns to take us to glory. Having this assurance helps us to live life from God’s perspective. Earth is a miniscule orb in relation to the rest of the universe. From God’s perspective our issues are not as insurmountable as we think. If He can keep the planets aligned and the universe ordered, He can certainly take care of our concerns.

At times, it does appear as if our world is spinning out of control. We master one aspect and another one flies off into outer space! Some of us have more troubles to face than others, but no matter what is happening, the Lord promises to deliver us out of them all (Psalm 34:19). God uses our circumstances to give us hearts of compassion (Ezekiel 36:26), to give us the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) and to create Jesus’ image in us (Romans 8:29).

2000 years ago on Calvary’s cross, Jesus already won the war with Satan and death (Hosea 13:14; Ezekiel 37:13; Isaiah 26:19). Now, He makes us conquerors because He lives within us and is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). When we view our trials from God’s perspective He helps us to focus on His will for them. He reminds us that He is rich in mercy and loves us with an everlasting love (Ephesians 2:4; 1 John 3:1).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, no person and no amount of tribulation, stress, persecution, hunger, vulnerability, danger or life threatening concerns can separate us from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). We overcome all of these things because of Your presence within us. Even in death, you are with us and You send Your angels to escort us to abide with You forever (Luke 16:22).

Thought for the Day:

Since God is for us, nothing will ever separate us from God’s great love.

 

God's Vindication

Read: Psalm 26:1-3

“Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me.” - Psalm 35:24 (NIV)

Sometimes people come into our life that never truly understand who we are. They may know us for years; yet they never really know us. They misjudge us according to their own prejudices. They relegate us to a certain level in their thinking beyond which we can never pass. The sad fact is that they are no larger in their own eyes than we are; therefore, they believe that they must belittle us in order to feel bigger and better. Giving God's love back to such people is the best way to deal with them.

A person’s opinion of us only matters if we allow it to do so. I refuse to give this much power to another human being. No one can rightly judge another man's servant, because before his own Master he stands or falls (Ro 14:4). What anyone thinks or feels about me does not carry any weight of importance. Only God's opinion of me matters, and He will vindicate me in the end (Ps 35: 24). He is the only One who can truly discern the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Who is this person who tries to condemn you? Christ Jesus, who died - and even more than that, who was also raised to live again - is at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us (Romans 8:34). He is our litigator, our lawyer and our advocate. With Him defending us, no one will ever falsely accuse us and get away with it. The light of eternity will reveal the truth.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, because we are His dear children. We are from God and have overcome, because You who dwell within us are greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 3:21; 4:4).

Thought for the Day:

If we are falsely accused, we stand in good company. They also crucified Jesus Christ, an innocent man.