We are equipped by God to participate in his divine nature and escape the corruption of this world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3-8 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV
Whether you realize it or not your inner reality has control of your life.
When we find ourselves feeling anxious about meeting someone, it all stems from what is going on within us. Studies show that 2/3 of all people tell lies on a first date. These studies also reveal that men and women both lie about the same ratio, only they lie about different things. Men most commonly lie about wealth and success while women tend to lie about their age. The real divide is between introverts and extroverts. Extroverts lie a lot more! Perhaps introverts are quietly strategizing about how to life more effectively.
Jesus is constantly trying to deal with what’s going on in your heart because he knows this is the key to dealing with your life.
Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard, ‘You shall not murder...’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. NIV
Jesus didn't just address murder—He addressed the anger that leads to it. A few verses later He confronts adultery by addressing the lust that fuels it (Matthew 5:27-28).
What’s going on in your heart right now?
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. NIV
Don’t follow your heart. Guard your heart!
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart… NKJV
Take your life back by embracing spiritual disciplines that are actually part of God’s design to slow you down to encounter God and to experience His nature being awakened within you.
Karen Medina recently shared in morning prayer how this is a year that you will be changed if you give yourself to being in God’s Word. Confident of this reality she is pursuing reading her Bible through this year.
Spiritual Practices are the disciplines for becoming sermon on the mount type people who are truly blessed and flourishing.
Nothing flourishes if it does not submit to and go through the process of nourishment.
Reinhard Bonnke, “Prayer is not just words. It is our spirit making live contact with God’s Spirit. Life flows constantly from God like light from the sun. In prayer we expose ourselves to its rays and sunbathe in the warmth of divine love. We absorb His goodness. It penetrates to the core of our existence. It is life from above.”
Some days I can act like a Christian better than others. But Christianity has nothing to do with acting! His divine nature awakened within me allows God to love through me even if that kind of love doesn’t exist within me.
Through the practice of spiritual disciplines we become what we could not be through our direct effort.
You were designed by God to live in the atmosphere of grace and favor so don’t settle for living in the atmosphere of sin and shame. Joyfully explore the gracious presence of God and grow in God’s call for you to truly live and not merely exist!
GP2RL: Purpose to be very intentional this week in the way you are experiencing God’s presence and growing in His divine nature.
Philippians 2:1-13 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. ESV
Philippians 2:1-13 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. NLT
