Jesus gives us his vision for our lives when he says, "Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times (Mark 4:8)." I describe this process in greater detail in a previous post - Soil Preparation. In short, Jesus prepares the soil of our hearts to receive the seed of his promise, which, when nurtured in the composition of HOPE, breeds faith and fruit (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 11:1). We Christians are called to move beyond being fruit consumers to fruit producers; therefore, it is essential we learn to cultivate and maintain an atmosphere of hope. How do we do this?
First, I'd like to speak to that thing which seems to rob many of us regularly from this atmosphere of hope - Depression. Often we have spoken of and handle depression as though it were a 20-foot demon, who seems to have our number. As I've wrestled often with depression, the Lord spoke a powerfully simple word to me - "Moss only grows where the sun doesn't shine." In other words, the moss of depression only grows in the absence of the light and heat of God's words. Time and time again I have found myself overwhelmed with depression only to have God graciously remind me that depression has no power over me except the power I give it by CHOOSING to remain in the shadows of fear, doubt and insecurity. We have a choice whether we will stay in the shadows or move into the light. Either way, Jesus has put the power in our hands.
Second, I'd like to address practically how we move into the light of God's words, which foster HOPE and FAITH. The Lord said it to me like this - "If fruit comes from faith, and faith comes from hope, then hope comes from being ALIGNED with God's words - both the logos and rhema words." Holy Spirit is our heavenly chiropractor and as we learn to SURRENDER to his work in our lives, he brings us (body, soul and spirit) into alignment with God. As we surrender to Holy Spirit, he first brings our spirits into alignment with himself, then our thoughts, emotions and actions follow suit. God always transforms us from the inside-out. Chiropractors will tell you that all kinds of physical, emotional and mental problems are the result of misalignment. Holy Spirit will tell you the same.
As when working with a chiropractor, we have a part to play as Holy Spirit brings us into alignment. We cannot resist, quench or grieve Holy Spirit and expect him to get much work done on us. Often Holy Spirit will lead us into unfamiliar positions as he seeks to bring us into alignment with God's promises for our lives. As Romans 5:5 tells us, "Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Holy Spirit causes the seed to grow roots, stem and eventually bear fruit. As the apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6 - People plant and people water, but GOD causes the growth! Our work is SURRENDER - surrendering to Holy Spirit's leadings, promptings, and stirrings.
Here are some practical ways Holy Spirit leads us into ALIGNMENT:
- Repentance & Receiving - Holy Spirit will help us see where we are NOT aligned with God's promises for our lives. He gently leads us to turn away from these poor alignments and receive God's promises for our lives. Often we aren't even aware how much of our thinking, emotions and actions are aligned with the lies, deceit and trickery of the evil one. God's words always breathe life and peace.
- Recording & Remembering - How many times have we heard a good sermon, an encouraging word from a friend, or even a thought while we're driving down the freeway that breathes life and peace into us, but only to forget the word after a few hours of dealing with life's challenges? We need to make a habit of recording or writing down the words God speaks to us that breathe life and peace, so that we can remember them tomorrow! Remembering literally means to "re-attach oneself to the whole". When we remember God's words to us we are reconnecting ourselves with HIS plans for our lives, not the enemies'.
- Rejoicing & Reward - We must rejoice/celebrate what God's words say about our lives. God's words are not just to bring us peace in the present, but JOY for the future! We must choose to embrace God's words over our lives as a declaration about the future. Remember, Jesus purchased the right to decide your future, and a great one it will be! Being future-oriented keeps us holding on to the reality which God promises us. We've been tricked and let down so many times by other people's promises that we project that same suspicion on God's word. But God isn't like us, he keeps his promises. He is a God of his word! "And without faith is is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that HE REWARDS those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6)."
Our part in coming into alignment with God is surrender to to the work of Holy Spirit.
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:36)."
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