The Secret of a Joyfilled Life

As authentic Christians, our satisfaction in life comes from accomplishing the will of God each moment of the day. We do everything, even the most mundane of things, out of our love for God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We do not seek His blessings. We seek nothing more than to know Him. We rely totally on God for wisdom and grace in everything we do and say. Once we develop this habit, we have little difficulty in walking in the Spirit and being led by His desires instead of our own carnal ones (Galatians 5:25).

We live our entire life in the presence of God within us. We start in daily prayer, Bible reading and study. Then we carry that devotional attitude throughout the interaction of earning a living; caring for our home, family and community; and serving in a ministry in the Body of Christ. This consistent life brings amazing pleasures that fill our spirit and soul – our mind, choices and emotions – and affect the health of our body as well. Even difficult times are more bearable with our mind focused on pleasing God in them and through them (Isaiah 26:3).

Our stress in life only occurs when we wander from His presence and try to achieve success in life in our own self-effort. God is intimately present within us and eager to direct our thoughts, words and actions. We go throughout our day in constant conversation with Christ within us. We consult His wisdom and direction for every object of our interest and every duty we perform. This allows our times of work to mirror our times of devotion. We achieve all of our duties while informally dialoguing with our Lord.

We accomplish everything, even our secular employment, out of our love for God. After all, He is our true employer. We serve the company at which we work and the family in which we live as unto the Lord. Our quiet times of prayer and our conversational dialogue with God all throughout the day do not differ. They are equally as devout and joyful. In this way, we live in the joy of the Lord throughout the day and night. Our facial expressions and body language reflects the calm devotion in our soul and spirit.

Even in the most hectic times of life, we enjoy the peace of God, which transcends all human reasoning. People we work and live with wonder how the calamities and abuses we endure do not disturb our peace. It is because the Master Designer of the universe is in control of our life. He keeps the earth rotating in the exact orbit and tilt from the sun, which we need for optimum living. He never sleeps, day or night (Psalm 121:3-4). We trust Him implicitly to care for us no matter what anyone else does to us or against us (Psalm 121:7).

Prayer:
Father God, You are our hiding place. You protect us from trouble and surround us with comforting songs (Psalm 32:7). You do not turn us over to the evil desires of our foes. You always deliver us in Your timing and way (Psalm 41:2). No circumstance will overwhelm us, because You give us joy and peace in the midst of them (Proverbs 12:21). You surround us with Your blessings as a shield (Psalm 5:12). You give the oppressed a refuge and the troubled a stronghold of safety (Psalm 9:9). We give You all the praise, glory and honor due Your name (Psalm 96:8).

Thought for the Day:

We live our life in calm composure and serenity, because our thoughts are focused on God as He supplies all of our needs according to His glorious riches (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:19).

 

Thank you, Poetry and Love, for the use of your photo.

Walking in the Spirit

Read: Romans 8:3-4

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” - Romans 8:14

Living a holy life by keeping the law is impossible. Biblical characters in the Old Testament tried it and failed. Human flesh is just too weak to keep the law. Therefore, God sent His own Son to earth to live as a man and to die as an offering for our sins. Jesus fulfilled the law by living a perfect life and then dying in our place. Once we exchange our sinfulness for Christ’s righteousness, we no longer live by the Law according to the flesh, but according to grace by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:3-4). We are holy, because He is holy within us.

Walking in the Spirit requires reliance on God moment by moment throughout the day. Everything from justification through sanctification and on into our future glorification is all a work of God's Spirit on our behalf. We cannot sanctify our self any more than we can save our self (Galatians 3:1-3). It is a work of God from beginning to end. As we open our hearts to be used by God as He wills, He puts us in the right place at the right time to carry out His perfect plan and to affect the lives of everyone around us.

As we surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our life, He works all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). He provides exactly what we need when we need it the most. He gives us unmistakable evidence throughout our lives that we are walking in the Spirit and that He is hearing our prayers. He leads us as we provide for our family, lead someone else to faith, sing a special in a church service, teach or assist in a class, help in the church kitchen, direct a ministry or Pastor a church. As we live a surrendered life, He accomplishes His work through us for His glory.

Doing the Will of God brings with it not only spiritual blessings, but physical and emotional blessings as well. The fruit of living righteously is peace in every area of our life; the effect of living righteously is quietness and confidence forever. God’s people live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes and in undisturbed places of rest (Isaiah 32:17-18). His hope fills us with joy and peace as we trust Him, and our life overflows with hope (Romans 15:13).

God desires that our good lives silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them. They never experienced its power, but we have. Therefore, as we live as those who are free to do only God's will at all times, our light shines and makes them realize their need to glorify Our Father in heaven (1 Peter 2:15-16). As we delight in the LORD, live according to His precepts and meditate day and night on His Word, we live like a tree that is planted by streams of water. We always have all the nourishment we need to yield spiritual fruit when we need it. Our life flourishes and everything we do prospers (Psalm 1:2-3).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, keep us from hypocracy, which turns people away from a life of love and peace with You. Help us to walk Holy, even as You are holy (1 Peter 1:16), because You live in us and Your holiness can flow out from us (Colossians 1:27). Give us the strength to walk away from opportunities to sin (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22).). Let our light so shine that men will see our good works and glorify You (Matthew 5:16).

Thought for the Day:

Reading the Bible turns you wholly and solely to the Holy Spirit of God, and brings you into full union with and dependence upon Him.






Thank you, Thomas Castler, for the use of your photo.