Showing posts with label parables. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parables. Show all posts

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Reciprical Relationship




We do not have to arouse an inordinate amount of faith within us, in order to survive the issues of life. As we keep our focus on each current moment, we will live by God’s Spirit through every second of our day. If we can abide in Christ in each instant, then we can put all of our moments together and end up abiding in faith in Christ all day long. Every time a sin or a disturbing event threatens to rob us of our peace, we remind our self that we are safely abiding in Christ.

As we abide in Christ, He replaces our carnal nature with His Spirit’s fruit and His character (2 Corinthians 3:18). Christ in us leads us to a life of complete surrender and undivided commitment to God. We lay down our goals, self-will and pride. God alone is our King, and He rules over every area of our life according to His will. He exerts His power, overcomes our enemies and provides us with His anointing to accomplish His service. His contentment, peace and joy permeate our soul by His Spirit.

When people are in our presence, they see Jesus instead of us (Acts 6:8-9). We live moment by moment by the faith of the Son of God, who loves us and sacrificed Himself for us (Ephesians 5:1-2). We readily forsake this world and the flesh in order to gain the excellency of Christ and to live in Him (Philippians 3:8-9). The power of His divine life within us works in this present moment and also extends into the next moment, until we walk in His Spirit throughout the entire day.

We live in a reciprocal relationship with Christ, receiving and restoring all that Adam lost in his fall. We abide in Him, and His words abide in us (John 15:7). As we give to others what Christ gives to us, we receive even more – whether it is encouragement, money or time. As we empty our life for Christ, His divine fullness heals us. He replaces our thoughts and feelings with His fruit as we abide in the Vine (John 15:4).

If we are too full of our self, there is no room for God’s divine life to fill us. Humbling our pride is the first step to a fulfilled life. There are many examples in Jesus’ parables, which teach us to forsake what we are and what we possess in order to seek His treasure. We lose our temporal life, so we will find eternal life in Him. We leave the many to seek the One. We count everything as lost in order to know Christ more fully (Philippians 3:8).

Prayer:
Father God, once we repent and walk away from our sin, we enter into Your plan of salvation through true conversion. It is impossible for us to conquer sin on our own; however, the power of Christ in us, removes from us all desire to sin (Galatians 5:16, 25). We hunger and thirst after You and request that You give us a clean heart and to purge us of anything thwarting our intimate relationship with You (Matthew 5:6). We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to Your righteousness (Romans 6:18).

Thought for the Day:
Rather than to work for God, we depend on the Holy Spirit to do the works of God in and through our life. – Ephesians 2:8-10

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Divine Creativity

Read: Isaiah 65: 17-19

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen 1:1 (NKJV)

In the beginning, God created. What a wonderful vision these two phrases invoke in my mind’s eye! All that power swirling and flowing and forming the heavens, the earth and all that is in them! God went one step further and placed this powerful creativity in the heart of mankind also. Aesthetic details from Biblical authors are evident in the description of their biographies and autobiographies, as well as the poetic flare in the language used in several Biblical books. Many verses also attest to the inspired genius of Bible characters (Ex 31:2-11; 1 Chronicles 29:5; 2 Chronicles 34:11; Genesis 41:33-36; Esther 5, 7).

Jesus’ exhibits His storytelling expertise in His parables, which demonstrates the creativity He uses in His relationship with mankind. These parables illustrate the revelation of His character, plan, intention and care for humanity. The Bible is full of the inspiration of mankind as he/she follows the leading of God’s creative Spirit within them. Believers, then and now, reveal the gospel story to unbelievers through God’s creativity flowing through us.

Magical music, nurturing nursing, imaginative art, noteworthy news reporting, graphic designers, public speakers, craftsmen and women, striking fashions and creative hobbies all flow from us through the creative genius resident within our Father God. Each stroke of brilliance in mankind is a tribute to the insight that flows through us from the throne of God. God plants a seed in our imagination, and the Spirit brings fruit from it. Sadly, however, people usually take the glory for their resourcefulness, instead of giving praise to God who birthed the seed of genius within us.

In addition, our carnal nature often uses this innovative power for evil. We dream up ways to better our self at the expense of others, stepping on the downtrodden to build our own little empire. God intended for us to share in His creative influence with others in order to create a better environment for everyone. He also wants to nurture our spiritual power, so that we can inspire spiritual activities in others. We do not need to wait until heaven to find a place with no more tears, nor do we need an artist’s talent to create. God imparted His creativity in all of us to help our world to evolve into a better place for everyone to live.

The Spirit helps us to imaginatively relate the old, old story of Christ’s redemption to others as we communicate it with discernment, motivation and passion. In fact, He will use us in ways we never imagined. From your smile comes a responding grin, from your kindness springs more thoughtfulness, from your hospitality generosity grows and from your liberality more charity abounds. As we all allow God’s love to continually flow through us, we can change our world.


Prayer:
Father God, let us act as Your playmates in the creative processes of life. Help us to allow Your Spirit to flow through us, so that we can help to bring forth Your Son in the hearts of everyone we meet. Plant in us the fruit of Your Spirit and help them to replace the carnal nature, which resides deep within our human psyche. Allow Your sanctifying process to perfect us one day at a time.

Thought for the Day:
Recognizing the hidden qualities in the ordinary aspects of life is what creativity is all about.

 
 
 
 
Thank you, Linda Dunaske, for the use of your photo.