My child, peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Choose to live in the peace I have provided for you. Choose not to fear. Choose to believe that I have your best interest in mind even when circumstances are tough. Let Me mold and shape you through the process.
John 14:27
My child, rejoice in Me today. Make this a day of deliberate worship. As you go about your day today, look for things to thank Me for. Be intentional about your choices. Choose to praise instead of complain. Choose worship instead of worry. Choose to believe instead of doubt. I am with you today. Acknowledge My presence in the midst of your trials.
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, do you want to be more like Me? Spend more time with Me. Do the things I do. Follow My lead and obey Me. You end up acting like the ones you’re around most. So choose carefully who you spend time with. Make sure you’re prepared before you go out among unbelievers. The only way to be prepared is spending time with Me.
Romans 8:29
My child, why do you continue to doubt? Why do you let seeds of doubt take root in your mind? Replace all doubt with belief. Choose to believe what I have told you. Let My truth go deep in you. Meditate, see and believe. I do not perform many miracles where doubt is allowed to prevail. Only when you choose to believe will you see My mighty hand move mountains. So cast out all doubt. Be done with it. Choose to believe today and watch the impossible unfold before your very eyes.
My child, have I not given you promises in My word? Have I not assured you time and time again that I will take care of your needs? Trust Me then. Make the decision to believe Me instead of the lies of the evil one. I desire faith, not unbelief. Choose to believe Me and do not be anxious. I will bring about every promise and every word that I have for you. Set your eyes squarely on Me. Watch and see what I will do as you choose to believe Me today.