Does the mirror that you are, that I am, always reflect the loving reality of the true Jesus?
I’d like to share with you some things which the Holy Spirit brought to me, beginning early a few days ago and still continuing to lead me deeper. At first, they appeared like individual, beautiful jewels but I saw that they were formed into a priceless necklace. Let’s take them one at a time and then discover what they build together.
The peace of God (Philippians 4:7) shall guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. What does that mean for us and what are its requirements? Jesus said (John 15:11) My joy will remain in you, because of you, and your joy will be full. We cannot find true joy in the deceitful, ensnaring attractions and trappings of this world. Being full of ourselves and what we want. As we pull away from the tug of the flesh toward lesser loyalties, do we hear the echo of the satanically-driven rabble mob (John 19:15) screaming – crucify HIM? Remember (Matthew 6:24) we cannot serve two masters.
Our privilege is to (Romans 12:1-2) surrender ourselves completely to God so that Jesus will have (John 15:11) continuing joy in us and our joy in Him will be full. That truth fills me with wonder that such as I could bring joy to Jesus. Certainly that would fill me with joy, joy that is found fully only in Him. One building block of our joy is to (Oswald Chambers) “decrease into His purpose.” He must increase (John 3:30) and I must decrease. We choose to decrease into His purpose so that He will increase for His purpose in our lives. As His purpose is fulfilled, His joy will be fulfilled. I think our necklace is developing – don’t you?
How does God respond to the joy in our hearts? Here is something I love and long for it to be my continued experience, no matter the circumstances or conditions. Listen, (Ecclesiastes 5:20 AMPLIFIED) the Lord’s answer corresponding to the joy in our hearts is that the tranquility of God’s will be mirrored in us. Think deeply about that, let your thoughts embrace it and be enlarged and travel to new heights.
What you and I need is godly wisdom, knowledge, insight, discernment and sound judgment. The Holy Spirit produces these riches through God’s Word, the Source of the true wisdom of righteousness and how to obtain it. Ask yourself this question. Is God wringing His hands and terribly upset and perplexed by COVID-19 and the worsening conditions in the world? God in His unchanging Sovereignty reigns above the circle of the earth (Isaiah 40:22) and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. Listen up – you can take this to the bank. We Christian grasshoppers have no need to tremble, because He lives and reigns, it is guaranteed for us believers that although (Psalms 30:5, 2 Corinthians 4:17) weeping may endure for the dark night, eternal joy comes in the glorious morning. Worry is the thorny soil (Mark 4:7) that chokes the Word of God (I was reminded of this in a message by Dr. Swindoll). The Lord can use the pandemic and the deteriorating condition in the world to ordain excellent opportunities for us to witness. Are we alert to these opportunities, are we buying them up (Ephesians 5:16) and more so because the days are increasingly evil? We are to be lights in this darkening world and islands of hope and peace in the midst of a sea which is being lashed and assaulted by more and more violent storms. If we truly mirror God’s tranquility no matter what, we will be the mirrors which reflect Jesus and there will be from us an outflow of His love, sweetness and sensitivity.
(Major Ian Thomas) – “If you look into a mirror you will see yourself. You will never see the mirror unless it is dirty or distorted.” Is there anything in us which reflects a distorted image of Jesus? Does the mirror that you are, that I am, always reflect the loving reality of the true Jesus? We cannot afford to be careless, inattentive or to let anything slip – even the smallest detail. I can’t think of anything more appalling for us, who have been predestined (Romans 8:29) to be conformed to the image of God’s beloved Son, than to distort that image. I look back in horror at some of the things I’ve foolishly and wrongfully said and I’m so thankful for the precious, cleansing Blood of the very ONE I betrayed. He has forgiven me and (amazing Grace!) He continues to love me. God is more interested in our purity than in our success or self-satisfaction. If we absorb this wonderful promise (Matthew 5:8) the pure in heart will see God, we’ll have a glorious goal. This is the real stuff of sanctification.
Oh Lord, if you kept a record (Palms 130:3-4) of our sins who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, just what we need so that we may reverently fear and worship You.
Take these words of Truth as your daily companion and guard against temptation. We are worthy of nothing but – we are eligible for everything because the highest court in the universe has declared us JUSTIFIED.