Unity with God, Our Maker

Once we come to Christ in repentance, asking for God's forgiveness, He exchanges our sin for His righteousness, and we enter a spiritual union with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). The powerful life of the triune God dwells within us from that point throughout the rest of our life. We enter an intimate relationship, which includes a unified life with the Trinity.

God purifies us step-by-step, burning deeper with each stroke of His holy fire, until we radiate Christ’s nature from within us. He replaces our carnal nature with the fruit of His Spirit, which is actually the very nature of God (Galatians 5:22-23). The less we function through our humanity, and the more we wait on God, the more He expresses His divine character and nature in us and through us (2 Peter 1:4).

Resting in Christ is not another religious activity to perform. It simply involves complete surrender of our human life to the Kingship of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-29). Our human way of thinking and feeling passes away, and we are now an entirely new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We bow before our God and Maker (Psalm 95:6).

We embrace God's presence in our soul as well - in our thoughts, choices and emotions. We are constantly responsive to this holy relationship and to our ever-increasing intimacy with Christ (Colossians 3:4). We walk in communion, fellowship and one accord with Christ within us (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). We freely choose to follow the leading of God’s Spirit each moment of the day (Romans 8:14).

Prayer:

Father God, due to Your work in our life, we manifest Your nature in ever-increasing levels of maturity and glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). By faith, Your divinity freely flows through our body, soul and spirit (2 Peter 1:4). Our intimate bond with You is broken only by our propensity to sin. However, if we walk in accord with the direction, wisdom and love of Your Spirit, we will never fulfill the lusts of our flesh (Galatians 5:15-25).

Thought for the Day:

We belong to God’s household as priests and saints, and are co-heirs with Jesus.

One Spirit and One Body

The Spirit of God gives each of us gifts to use in our lifetime in service for the Kingdom of God. We have one God and Spirit, but there are many different types of gifts, which He gives to us to use for His glory. Some people are very wise with common sense and can give advice to those who need it. Others have knowledge from books and can pass along their understanding to the rest of us, or a specific word of knowledge directly from God for our benefit.

Some people have great faith in God’s faithfulness and can help us to trust in God when our faith is weak. God gives the power to do miracles to a few trusted Saints who can pray for us as we see God intervene in our life. Many have the gift of speaking, preaching and teaching God’s Word to help us to understand the divine teaching in the scripture.

Then, we have people who can discern evil spirits and can help us to avoid the devil’s traps. The Spirit gives the gift of tongues to some, so that He can use us to intercede in prayer through the Spirit and to speak God’s message to us, with others who can interpret that message when it is spoken in public. One Spirit gives to each Born Again Believer the gift, which he or she needs to fulfill God’s call on our life for each moment of time (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

How would the human body function without a liver? We cannot see it, but we all realize the unique and essential purpose the liver performs in our body. We cannot live without a functioning liver. The liver can be damaged in a matter of days by certain medications we take, addictions we partake of and some foods that we eat. However, the liver is able to repair itself and to grow healthy cells in place of the damaged ones in as little as one month.

Like the liver, no part of the Body of Christ is better than any other and the Spirit of God uses each one. We are all equally as important and the Spirit directs us what to do, when to use them, in what setting and in what way He needs them used. We are God’s Body, and we all minister to one another (1 Corinthians 12:24). God’s Spirit may give us more than one gift, or change the gifts He gives us according to the circumstances in which He leads us. God has a very special place for each of us who are called to His Body.

Prayer:

Father God of all the earth, You are our Maker and You are our husband. You called us and You have a plan for each life (Isaiah 54:5-8). Remind us not to think too highly of our self, but to realize that we are the gloves and You are the hand within us, directing us to accomplish great things for You (Romans 12:3-4). Whatever we do, even if it is just in what we eat and drink, we will do it all for Your glory (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

Thought for the Day:

In Christ, we who are many, form one Body and we all belong to one another. – Romans 12:5