I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
How much of the verse and statement can you identify with? To what depth? How much of your day is led by the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ)? How many thoughts are His thoughts in your mind throughout the day? Has He asked you to crucify certain areas of your life? If so.. what are they? Can you specifically name them? Do you live by faith … really? Are any of your decisions made asking Him what to do, and what to choose? Even in the ‘little’ things? Does He ask you to do things you aren’t comfortable with? Things that take faith and the courage to step out of your comfort zone and seem kinda risky?
So many read the scriptures without the Holy Spirit guiding their reading. When a person does that — there is no real understanding, and it just becomes a … chore. But when you invite the Spirit to guide and highlight the scriptures while you read — the experience becomes a ..revelation that deepens your relationship with Him. When you ‘read’ them this way (with Him) it brings up so many questions that opens the conversation with Him.
Rather than ritual and tradition the Lord wants relationship with you. He wants to talk with you, and for you to walk with Him as He guides you to experience what He wants to teach you, and do want He wants you to do for Him. You become His hands and Voice as you allow Him to guide you when you go on His divine appointments that He has set for you EVERY day. We have to be careful to listen closely so that we only do and say exactly as He instructs us to do and say. We can easily slip into self and pride and ‘add’ to the message and act thinking we actually know what’s best, and that adding to what He is saying will ‘help’ the individual understand. Big mistake. I know that by painful experience. Say and do ONLY as He instructs you, don’t add to it. Leave the results of your obedience to Him, for He is the Lord of the Harvest.
The ‘high’ Christian holidays have been so corrupted by commercialism and religious fervor. So many think by just going through the motions and celebrating them – that it really shows their acknowledgment of their commitment to God. And actually it does. That their faith is as shallow and thin as the actor who doesn’t care about their performance. When going through those holidays — it should be a time when you ask Him to show you the significance of the day and time that He wants you to know. It should be a time of real gratefulness, love, and intimate connection with Him.
Is it really that “It is no longer that you live, but Christ who lives within you”? Is that relationship so real that it permeates every part of your life? That your thoughts are ALWAYS being drawn to Him — in every part of your day and life? Or is your life still your own, as you make shallow religious monthly rituals to appease your conscience or to appear as a ‘Christian’? Somehow I don’t think readers of this .. are that way, as this is still a ‘hidden’ resource mainly sought out by the truly spiritually hungry individual.
Search Him out. Ask Him questions. Listen closely to the Spirit’s whisper within you.
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12