Imperfection to Perfection

 

Have you ever noticed that we live in an imperfect world with imperfect people, circumstances, provision and relationships?

Jesus realized our frustration and gave us a solution. At salvation, He moves into our spirit. In Him we have peace, regardless of the trouble we encounter each day of our life (John 16:33).

Solomon even stated that we are tested by the praise, which we receive (Proverbs 27:21). Praise causes us to trust in our self, rather than in Christ; so turn human praise into praise for God instead.

Our human abilities are simply gifts from God, given to us to accomplish His will for our life (1 Corinthians 4:7). Pride distracts us from walking in God's Spirit.

Life's imperfections are distractions. They keep us in turmoil and steal our peace and joy. Yet, divine power and perfection from Christ in us enable us to do all things, which Christ calls us to do (Philippians 4:13).

Motivated by love for God, we confess our shortcomings and find compassion from God (John 14:15; Proverbs 28:13). We join those in the Hall of Faith as we obey God's Spirit and His Word (Hebrews 11).

When that which is perfect comes, we are freed from this imperfect world (1 Corinthians 13:10). We press on for the prize of the high calling from Christ by depending on God's Spirit who dwells within us (Philippians 3:12).

Prayer:

Father God, through our risen King Jesus, we have eternal hope in Your perfect promises. This gives us peace and assurance of ultimate victory over every trial (Romans 8:28). When we reap the benefits of living in service to You, our faith grows and we learn to trust You with our whole heart.

As we live a Godly example in this world for others to follow, they will see their need for repentance and faith in You as well. Remind us that every stranger is a potential friend and a potential member of Your family for eternity.

Thought for the Day:

We are encouraged in this imperfect world by the perfect promises of God concerning our eternal home in glory. 

- 2 Corinthians 4:17

Rest for Our Weary Soul

God is our Savior in the valley, as well as on the mountaintop. When we feel overwhelmed by life’s issues, spending time alone with God is the perfect place to find rest for our weary soul.

Rather than to allow the cares of the world to weigh us down and to give us a negative attitude, we can rest in the love, peace and joy of the Lord in every circumstance.

God plants opportunities for joy in every situation He allows. It is all a matter of our focus. Even death, ill health, a bad marriage and any other negative event has a positive side if we change our focus about it.

They say that “every dark cloud has a silver lining”; and God is eager to reveal it to us. I love to abide in the “quiet place” of my inner spirit, where the Spirit of my Lord and Savior dwells.

God’s wants us to walk in His Spirit, but that takes courage. He wants us to learn to forgive our shortcomings and to use our God given talents and abilities to their fullest measure for His service.

God has a perfect plan for our lives. As we walk in it, He blesses us abundantly above all that we can ever ask or think (Ephesians 2:10, 3:20-21). While we use the gifts He gave us for His glory, we enjoy His unique calling for our life (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Prayer:

Father God, as You open doors for us that no one can close, help us to be all that You made us to be. Help us to willingly follow the direction of Your Holy Spirit in our thoughts, words and deeds. Remind us that, like the mountains, You created us to rise into the heavens.

You have a wonderful plan for our life; a plan filled with love, joy and peace through our Rock, Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 29:11). Remind us that our salvation does not come through human effort, but through accepting Jesus as our Savior and our Lord. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay the debt we owe for our sins.

Thought for the Day:

As long as we navigate life by God’s Spirit, we will succeed in every area where He leads us.

Dealing with Fear

 

Jesus could see the concern and anxiety for his daughter in Jairus’ face, along with the faith to ask Him for his daughter’s healing. Jesus encouraged this father with the words , “Fear not...only Believe.” (Luke 8:50). This is a perfect example to us of how our flesh and spirit, the carnal and the spiritual, struggle within us. We have a dichotomy warring in our soul and spirit, but God is able to help our unbelief (James 1:5-8; Mark 9:24).

The source of all fear is Satan’s doubts whispered into our mind. We give him permission to plague us by taking our focus off Jesus. Satan reminds us of all the negative situations we experienced in life, and of all the times other people had negative outcomes to similar situations. These unconstructive thoughts cripple us and diminish our faith. They often destroy our witness in the world around us.

God does not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). When we allow fear to influence our life, we agree with the devil and doubt God. Yet, exposing Satan’s lies allows our faith to grow. When we look at the circumstance as a new adventure in Christ, we have the hope that everything will turn out for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). We strengthen our faith by reading, quoting and memorizing God’s Word.

Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). There is no need to concern our self about our shortcomings or failings, because we do not earn Salvation by our good works, church membership or generosity in giving and serving (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). These works flow from our salvation, once it is secure in Christ (Philippians 1:6). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and grows by walking in His truth (Romans 10:17).

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You for what You did for us on the cross and for what You do for us each and every day. Satan wants us to believe that You forsake us, but You will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). You seal us with Your Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). We have confidence that You have a perfect plan for our life (Ephesians 2:10), and that You will complete the work in us, which You started (Philippians 1:6). Remind us to show our gratitude to You by serving You with our life.

Thought for the Day:

Rather than focusing on your problems, look for God’s purpose in them.

 

 

 

 

How to expose Satan’s lies:

Read these three free chapters:

http://theophostic.com/page13051343.aspx