Romans 8: 9-13 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit,
If the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
10 but if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it’s not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit of you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
What touches me from todays verses is that because Christ’s Spirit lives in me, I belong to Him!
To know that Jesus loves me and cares for me so much that he gave his life for me!
Then also, that he wants to live in me. He forgave me of all my sins and if I live by His Spirit he gives my body power to live a righteous and sinless life.
This makes me think of all the inflatable lawn decorations that people put out on their lawns at Christmas time. During the daytime they are all laying flat and dead on the ground, but when the motor that blows the air into them is plugged in, they come to life! They are all lit up and are exciting to see!
The Spirit is like the motor that pumps the air into us to keep us alive and excited about what ever we are doing, because with the Spirit we are full of his love, joy, peace, etc. As long as we are plugged into the Holy Spirit, His Light and His Love, flows through us, and it is so exciting! The Spirit also lifts us up off the ground, above all the stuff that holds us down. He helps us to have hope and faith that what ever we are facing will work out! And that God loves me no matter what!
For a long time I let myself act like those flat decorations. I just could not get myself excited about God or life or anything! I wanted to be joyful, but the busyness and responsibilities of life were overwhelming!
But because I belonged to Jesus, and I had given my life to him, his Spirit was still living inside of me; although I had almost snuffed it out! He called my name and spoke to my heart deep within, he lead me out of my own darkness, and He breathed life into me! He gave me “Gracious Restoration” He came to me personally and ask me to come back to him. I felt so low, I didn’t want to sink any lower or be lost completely. I saw myself as useless with no purpose, but he saw me as his precious jewel with value and he did have a purpose for my life. As I let my heart open up to Jesus’s leading, he showed me all that he had for me to do yet, and that there was even more that he could not reveal to me yet. Over time I let go of my doubts and fears and by His Spirit have come to life again. Now I enjoy life so much and look forward to what each day brings!
Are you feeling low? Are you needing a lift?
Ask Jesus Christ to come and live in your heart, and His Spirit will come and fill you up and change your life forever!
Jesus loves you so much that he gave his life for you! He cares for you and wants you to belong to him!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for loving me and calling me to you again and again, and never giving up on me. Please help all who seek you to find you and to let your Spirit live inside of them!
PD