My child, I give you strength for today. I give you ability for today. Learn to live one day at a time and experience My Presence in each moment. As you do this, you’ll learn to appreciate each and every day and the people I put in your life. You’ll experience the joy of being alive today.
My child, as you give over more of yourself, I pour more of My Holy Spirit in. Make room for Me by giving over everything. I take what you give Me and wash it clean with My Blood. I return to you something more magnificent than you can dream of. Give Me your filthy rags and I will give you the crown of life, the robe of righteousness and a joy that is unimaginable.
My child, hear My voice and heed My voice. Listen and obey. I am speaking to you loud and clear, you only need to choose to obey. Obedience offers opportunity and defiance leads to death. Choose to obey Me at every occasion and your life will overflow with joy.
Godliness is devotion which is characterized by an attitude toward doing that which pleases God. Make no mistake about it: both devotion and attitude are choices made by an act of our will.
To be sure, this is what has been set before us as believers: to pursue a life pleasing to Him, or not to pursue it. Deciding whether or not to pursue intimacy with God has its rewards, and its consequences.
Ask any parent. Ask them what they value most: an adult child who desires to be close for the sake of relationship itself, or one who relates to them either from a sense of obligation or from a selfish fear that they might forfeit something of personal benefit. They’ll tell you! The parents love both children equally. But which do you think will receive more attention from the parent? Which deserves the richness of their full companionship and support?
God is like that. Because of His love, He doesn’t reject His children when they don’t show much interest in pursuing Him. And He doesn’t get much pleasure from those who pursue Him merely from a sense of compulsion or requirement. Just imagine, though, how thrilled He must be with those whose motives are pure—who want Him just because He’s Dad.
My child, cling to Me. Stay very close to Me as you go about your day. I am your Strength. I am you Joy. Allow Me to pour My Holy Spirit through you and release My power when you feel weak. I am your Source. I am all you need.
My child, My Holy Spirit resides in you. I give you abundant life and I’m using you to draw others to Myself. Be My voice, My hands, My feet. Be willing to go and do My will to win the souls of the lost. I am drawing them. Be ready in all circumstances.
My child, don’t blow through this life, hurrying to get to the next thing. Relax and rest in My Presence. Sit and enjoy My company. Long for the quiet times where it’s just you and Me. I will meet you there in the quiet place. I will speak great and marvelous things as you linger in My Presence.
My child, time is flying by and life is fleeting. Make the most of today. Lfve today as if it were your last. Be in the moment. With every opportunity, seek out ways to encourage, bless and serve. I will give you unique ways to be a blessing today. You only need to look around you. Make today count.
Psalm 39.4 Psalm 144:4
Attempting to gain acceptance with God by our own goodness merely results in dependence on law as the basis for our righteousness. But it goes without saying that earning our own way with God is at best an exercise in futility. For this reason, God, knowing the limitations of our flesh, resolved this issue once and for all by laying in us a foundation of holiness—His holiness. And only on such a foundation can a life pleasing to Him be built. It’s God’s exclusive platform for growth and transformation.
So we’ve got to get over the idea that being a Christian means having the power in and of ourselves to increase our holiness. Rather, this new life in Christ is all about God’s Spirit interacting with our own so that we are now capable of making godly choices. And godly choices is what cultivates the transformation of our character.
Given the fact that we can never gain God’s acceptance through our own efforts to become more holy, just what is our responsibility toward seeing that holiness (sanctification) comes to full fruition in our life? Well, obviously the duty to live our life in a manner pleasing to God is the first step. But what’s our next step—how do we to go about pursuing it?
Our mindset is the answer to this question. Paul exhorts believers to “set your minds on the things above,” and assures them that “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”(Colossians 1:1-3, Romans 8:6) After all, that’s what godliness is: devotion which is characterized by an attitude toward doing that which pleases God. And make no mistake about it: both devotion and attitude are choices made by an act of our will.
My child, I have a plan for you. A plan that is good and right and pure. I am paving the way before you. Just listen to My voice and be obedient to Me. Don’t get distracted with the details. Follow Me. Keep your eyes focused on Me always and I will lead you to everlasting life.