Our Spiritual Ears

Preoccupation with the affairs of this material world will dull our spiritual ears to heed God's Spirit in the spiritual realm (Matthew 13:15). This opens us up for Satanic deception, worldly influence and fleshly temptations.

We may even miss the coming of the Lord. He will come when we least expect Him, as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4). That is why God calls us to watch and pray. 

We open our spiritual ears, watch and prepare for His guidance, comfort and coming. We live in holy anticipation and expectation. Our sole desire as we function in His calling for our life is His will.

A sign of the end times is spiritual apathy, which starves our spirit. We are so focused on our flesh and soul - our thoughts, choices and emotions - that we are spiritually asleep.

We put other pursuits ahead of our Bible reading, gathering with God's Saints, prayer and obedience to God's Spirit moment by moment throughout our day.

Circumstances constantly affect our fulfillment and contentment. We suffer from spiritual anemia. We measure our self-worth from our human accomplishments.

The future frightens us and we feel compelled to abandon the spiritual side of life in order to make provision for our physical and emotional needs first (Matthew 24:38).

We forget that we are created in God's image as triune beings and that He has a perfect plan for our life (Ephesians 2:10). As we take care of His business, He takes care of ours (Matthew 6:26).

His Kingdom is our inheritance and His immortal provision will replace our mortal existence if we will place His will above our own. He calls us to occupy the earth for Him until He comes (Luke 19:13).

Prayer:

Father God, spur us to release our desire to settle for mediocrity in the spiritual realm in order to excel in the carnal world. Help us to take our foot out of the earthly realm and to plant both feet firmly on the Rock of Christ.

Remind us that there is no salvation in pretending to be a Christ-follower. Only a life dedicated to the pursuit of Your will can bear any lasting, spiritual fruit. We want to receive Your free gift of salvation, sanctification and glorification by faith and abide in You forever (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Thought for the Day:

Walking in spiritual completion allows us to persevere in times of trial and tribulation by the power of God's Spirit within us. 

- Colossians 2:10

An Exchanged Life

Many people argue that they do not need Christ dwelling within them to enjoy a changed life. They use meditation, medication, Yoga, Tai Chi, Eastern religions and pure will power to make a better life for themselves. However, a changed life is not the only benefit of admitting we are sinners and trusting in Christ for our salvation (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

Jesus not only reforms us, but He also renews us by bringing our spirit to life within us. His sacrifice on the cross makes us co-heirs with Him of the entire Kingdom of God (Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:20-21). He comes to dwell within us by His Spirit who sanctifies us and disciplines us until we walk in a transformed life (Hebrews 10:10, 12:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). He give us an exchanged life.

God forgives us of every sin - past, present and even future sins. However, we no longer desire to sin, but seek to live a life free of sin and its penalties (I John 1:3). Yet, if we fail, we are not under condemnation (Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9). We reap many of the consequences, but none of the penalties of the mistakes we make.

God is involved in every area of our life, which we surrender to Him. We relinquish our free will and submit our choices to Him. We walk in victory through life, regardless of the circumstances we face. We have the presence of Christ in our life both now an in eternity. He gives us the fullness of the fruit of His character and His divine nature to live life on earth to its fullest (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 John 3:2).

Prayer:

Father God, Your everlasting joy resides in our heart both now and forever (Psalm 16:11). Yet, we are so focused on the material world around us, and the circumstances we face, that we fail to notice Your love and peace, which

surround us (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing occurs in our life without Your express permission (Job 1:12). You promise never to leave us or to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). You remain faithful to us, even when we wander from You for a season (2 Timothy 2:13).

Thought for the Day:

God promises us to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our husband and our whole life. – Colossians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2