Thought For The Day

 We all need a time to restore our soul.  This is done in the quiet time with Jesus by our side. Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd;  I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness  For His names sake. When our soul needs restoration, Jesus is right there with us. Because He lives inside of us. Notice that He makes us lie down in green pastures. Green pastures speaks of healthy food. While resting and eating and sheep is gathering strength.  When we are resting and feeding on the word of God, we will gain strength. Relaxed and focused.  God makes us rest and feed on His word, for it is life and health to all our flesh. Sometimes we get so busy with our plans and work or ministry for that matter, that we neglect spending time with our Lord. So He makes us lie down in green pastures. Proverbs 4:20-23 My son, give attention to my words;  Incline your ear to my sayings. 

The journey of our  sanctification is to set us apart to be used by God. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Beloved, notice the word, forever , God is working on us to purify us for His use in His kingdom. Its a continuing work. This work by the Holy Spirit will change our heart and our desires. The Holy Spirit teaches us to submit our heart, mind and body to our Lord for His purposes. 1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;  that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, (Self-control) The word of God is like a search light discerning our thoughts and actions and our reactions to unpleasant things in our life. During the process of being sanctified,  this will involve discipline, and sometimes chastisement. Whom the Lord loves He chastens. ( Hebrews 12:6-7) Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for t

When we have the mind of Christ that means that we share His purposes and plans. Having the mind of Christ carries a great responsibility to obey Father God at all costs. It involves humility, obedience and being merciful, being able to discern what is good and what is evil. Philippians 2:5-6 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God did not consider it to be robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. We are to have the mind of Christ and consider ourselves servants, as Jesus was to us. Yes, He calls us friends, but servants get the work done. I have not seen in all four gospels where Jesus expressed fear.  (1John4:18) Fear has torment. Jesus did have anxious moments, but not fear. When in the garden praying before the cross, His human side was troubled and anxious and sorrowful. Being anxious is not fear, it can lead to fear if we entertain the devil

Self discipline is denying   the desires and actions of the flesh. (That old sinful nature) Discipline, is instruction, reproof and correction,  something we all need in our life. Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples. If  anyone desires to come after Me,  let him  deny himself, and take up his cross,  and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,  but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worth of Me. When we find ourselves in a serious trial, remember that tribulation produces perseverance. Perseverance builds our character, that leads us to hope. Beloved, when we deny ourselves and take up our cross, our destiny is to crucify the flesh daily. This is so that we can be alive with God's love and pour out our love on those that need some hope in their life. Finding our life in Jesus has some wonderful implications.  There is faith and grace that we can count on,  peace