What is the state of your soul (heart, mind, will) this holiday?
The Bible warns of the distractions of the age choking out the effectiveness of the Word of God (Mark 4:19). Distraction level is often gauged by our emotional and psychological (soul-personality; psuche) state.
Do you feel distant from God's presence?
Are you void of the power that you should have, or not as happy as you would like to be?
The good news is, a cheerful countenance is easier to appropriate than you may think. It is as simple and natural as a child opening a present on Christmas morning! As the ultimate insurance policy against distraction and low levels of joy, we have been given the brilliant, all-powerful, all-loving mind of Christ! So, how do we use this mind we have been given?
1) We are diligent to know God's Word.
2) We follow Jesus' patterns of thought and behaviour.
Jesus was massively focused on the Father and enthralled with accomplishing the Father's will (Matt 6:9-13). It was far more important than what was happening on the earth, because He knew God was paramount and in control. Jesus went off "alone" to pray to the Father, routinely and customarily. He said, "I and the Father are One" (John 17), and this passage is the High Priestly PRAYER. This Christmas season, beautiful saints of His, pray, pray, pray—talk to the Lord of all beauty. Ask Him to enable you to focus on the will of God like you never have before. Listen down. POWER UP. You do not have to be a target. You are not a punching bag for the enemy.
You have been given Authority over all of it.
Yes, Jesus means YOU.
In Luke 10:19 (AMPC), He says:
Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Receive all His positive promises and grants of power as your own. Pull down any ill that has ever been spoken against you.
Isaiah 54:17a says:
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.
Fear not. Reject lies and negative thoughts. Use your God-granted authority to tell your emotions what to do, not the other way around.
Do you have Jesus? Then you have JOY.
Look to and think on the beautiful things of the Almighty God over and above circumstances, emotions, physical conditions, concerns, problems, distractions, and even what other people are doing or not doing. REVERSE your mentality. Put the Lord first. He is the real reality. God alone dispenses love and direction, favor with man, and good stewardship of soul. Appropriate the PRINCE of PEACE into your heart and mind and let Him comfort your feelings and elevate the state of your soul to one of good cheer. Joy will, of its own nature, rise up automatically if you allow Christ to enter your will and overtake every other conceivable condition that concerns you.
If you feel lost in the midst of your life, change your focus.
Romans 12:2 tells you:
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
God gave you the Perfect Gift - Jesus Christ. From baby to King, He was sent to die in your place and He did it well. When you enjoy your life, you reveal your choice to accept this gift from God. God offers you the Prince of Peace, and He grants you the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Focus on this amazing gift this year. Take Rightness. Take Peace. Take Joy. Take these things eagerly like a child at Christmas. Gaze on the Light of the World! He is certainly looking at you. He will lead you through anything, with great joy.
May God bless you this Christmas, and keep you well all through the New Year!
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (La Habra, CA: The Zondervan Corporation and the Lockman Foundation, 1987). Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible (AMPC), Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.
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