Remember when I posed the question, "What do our lives look like when we are Spirit-filled?" Well Robert J. Morgan says that we will know we are filled with the Spirit when we see certain changes in our lives...such as singing in our hearts (v. 19), gratitude in our minds (v. 20) and....well we'll leave that for next week!
But just by looking at the two characteristics we've uncovered so far in Ephesians 5:19 and 20, don't you get the picture of someone who is not weighed now by worldly matters? This person seems to have a heart free of burden, because they have been relieved of their load. They sing because they're happy...it is a natural outpouring from a heart that has been redeemed, no longer carrying the burden of sin and guilt.
Can't you just hear Jesus' words calling to us to become this type of person....
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
And now we see a person whose heart is filled with gratitude...who cannot keep their thankfulness contained but see their lives as being continually blessed by God. This person doesn't necessarily live a life that is absent of any trials, but they seem to be able to give thanks anyway. They truly live out the verse in James that says....
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
They trust God and know that He is bringing them through everything and making them stronger in Him. They can thank God even in the hard times, knowing that He is truly working everything together for their good---and knowing that life is more than what we see right now, their eyes are set on eternity. Every gift given in this life cannot compare with what they know God has in store for His children, and that evokes a thankfulness that cannot be generated by any earthly blessing.
I keep saying "they", "that person", but for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, "that person" is us. If we are not exhibiting the lifestyle described, we need a heart check. What is keeping God's Spirit within us from filling us with a joy that promotes singing, a gratefulness that promotes thanksgiving?
This world, and the ruler of it, can try to steal our joy and replace our thanksgiving with complaints. It happens when our eyes are diverted from what we have been given (blessing upon blessing, culminating in eternal life) to what we may lack (some earthly offering that will rot and corrode).
Keep your eyes on the eternal...let His Spirit fill your heart today, with joy and with thanksgiving!
But just by looking at the two characteristics we've uncovered so far in Ephesians 5:19 and 20, don't you get the picture of someone who is not weighed now by worldly matters? This person seems to have a heart free of burden, because they have been relieved of their load. They sing because they're happy...it is a natural outpouring from a heart that has been redeemed, no longer carrying the burden of sin and guilt.
Can't you just hear Jesus' words calling to us to become this type of person....
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
And now we see a person whose heart is filled with gratitude...who cannot keep their thankfulness contained but see their lives as being continually blessed by God. This person doesn't necessarily live a life that is absent of any trials, but they seem to be able to give thanks anyway. They truly live out the verse in James that says....
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
They trust God and know that He is bringing them through everything and making them stronger in Him. They can thank God even in the hard times, knowing that He is truly working everything together for their good---and knowing that life is more than what we see right now, their eyes are set on eternity. Every gift given in this life cannot compare with what they know God has in store for His children, and that evokes a thankfulness that cannot be generated by any earthly blessing.
I keep saying "they", "that person", but for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, "that person" is us. If we are not exhibiting the lifestyle described, we need a heart check. What is keeping God's Spirit within us from filling us with a joy that promotes singing, a gratefulness that promotes thanksgiving?
This world, and the ruler of it, can try to steal our joy and replace our thanksgiving with complaints. It happens when our eyes are diverted from what we have been given (blessing upon blessing, culminating in eternal life) to what we may lack (some earthly offering that will rot and corrode).
Keep your eyes on the eternal...let His Spirit fill your heart today, with joy and with thanksgiving!
1 comment:
Today my heart is filled with thankfulness to and for my Lord Jesus Christ. As my walk through my life becomes more intimate with my relationship with Christ, I realize how much He loves me and how much he has blessed me. My daily life is not without struggles and challenges, but it is also not without the help and blessings of Christ Jesus. I am able to get up each morning and accomplish my responsibilities. Recently, I have needed to sit quietly in the morning darkness and allow Christ's Holy Spirit to enter into me. I haven't had the strength to read the blog and comment. I love to read the blog because I learn about Christ and I
learn about myself. Jesus is alive in my soul. I am thankful for the physical
strength he gives me. It is His spiritual strength that gives me physical strength. I
am thankful for God's mighty power. He comforts me, He heals my wounded
soul. He fills my heart with love. I am able -- only because God is able. He
blesses me with His Love and Power. I feel strong today.
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