If you are reading this great book with me this month, you will notice that I have gone a bit off Dr Stanley’s contents. But I believe this struggle over who is in control of who within the believer’s heart, is the major reason our Christian lives are not all they could, and should be.
At this point in my journey, I don’t even think God needs to discipline me anymore because it is my own stubbornness that causes me to suffer. But when I choose to surrender my heart to God because I am His beloved, holy child. When I submit my thoughts, emotions and will to God because He loves me and only wants whatever is for my best. And when I choose to obey God because I want to love Him in return and show this hurting world Who He is, then my life gets more fulfilling, because I am following my Christ’s example.
This is how Jesus lived His life here, do we understand this? God the Son was in total surrender, submission and obedience to God the Father as He followed God the Holy Spirit. This unity and harmony within the Holy Trinity is what true Life is all about, my Friends, and the more we freely and willingly choose to seek after this righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit too, the more of God’s Kingdom we can have, enjoy and share.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (that’s Ro 14:17) God’s Kingdom, is not a matter of the passing things of this world, but an inner sense of all God’s Goodness. This is what He wants for us and this is what we were made for. The more we choose to surrender, submit and obey the Holy Spirit Who resides within our hearts, the more this Abundant Life will overflow into every part of our earthly lives, and hopefully, into the lives of those around us too!
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
<>< Peace, Diane
