Faith

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   Romans 12:1-2

Happy New Year!! . On this second day of January 2015 I awoke in the presence of the Spirit of God. It moved me to the scripture in Romans 12. In the first 2 verses it informs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice set apart from the world and acceptable to God. Transforming our minds that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. After reading this I began to meditate on the purpose that God has for me in this New Year the year of our Lord 2015. The first action that moved on me was that old friend of mine fear.  It began to present itself in the form of I am not going to be able to transform my mind into the good acceptable and perfect will of God. How foolish of me to even consider this.  Remember now the spirit of God has led me to this place in scripture in order for me to position myself to live up to the purpose God has for my life. Then again fear presents itself in the fashion that it always have. That is to present failure to Gods plan when it concerns me.

As I consider the alternative to my past failures of living out the will of God I began to feel the shame I always feel when I see that may actions steer more to my flesh than to the spirit. The spirit that put Jesus on the cross and raised him from the grave is present and available to me.  How come it continues to elude me?  To miss me during times where its presence will assist me to victory and the acceptable and perfect will of God. While examining this issue the spirit of God presented to me Faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. In order to enter into his presence you have to first believe that He is. This isn’t a onetime thing. Faith should be present and available to you at all times. It is through my faith which provides me with every opportunity to see the cross high and lifted up. To make the tenants of the cross available to me during every waking hour of the day. To present each day as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. This is my reasonable service. Without faith to be transformed to the renewing presence of mind becomes an arduous task. Knowing that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen therein lays the process which provides us the entrance into the kingdom of God.

Having faith in and believing God is the key component in receiving His presence in our times of need. In order to sustain victory over the god of this world the helmet of salvation has to be in place. The breast plate of righteousness also needs to be in position. The sword of the spirit the word of God is necessary to stand against the wiles of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. Never forget to shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all taking the shield of faith to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked.(Ephesians 6) Therefore as we embark on another year let’s  get the fullness of God so that we may find his glory in every aspect of our life. Amen.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91