Soul Health

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading:  Genesis 1-3 Matthew 1

Soul Health

So How was 2024? Was it a good year for your soul? If is wasn't, we are all much alike and have much work to do as always. But it if was a healthy spiritual year for you in Christ Jesus, here is a statement you need to hear:

"Good spiritual health yesterday does not mean a good spirtual day today."

No, this is not gloom and doom but an encouragement to keep up the work and even more. For a few days we will look at some questions that will help us keep a healthy mindset for Christ.

Number one: (Your heart)"Do you desire God?"

Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)

5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."

King David wrote:

Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

4  "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Asaph, the Psalmist wrote:

Psalm 73:25 (ESV)

25  "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you."

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

8 "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ..."

I believe the scripture tells us that we are made to desire Him.

Psalm 42:2 (ESV)

2  "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

The human heart conditioned and consumed by this world does not feel this way. Everyday, we must die to self-take up our cross(Luke 9:23) and humble ourselves under God's hand(1 Peter 5:6&7).

We must see the goal(Christ Jesus) and work for Him-work toward Him-work in Him.

Little by little, the Holy Spirit will raise up in us a hunger for our loving God. But-because of the relentless enemy-we never stay still. We are either growing forward and upward are we are sliding back downhill.

Ask yourself-"How is my heart for God?"--and tell Him the truth.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I don't hallow Your name as I should. Let me realize Your greatness. Let me see the greatness of Your kingdom. Give me Your bread for this day of understanding and work. Forgive me for my idleness. Lead me away from an empty mind.

Great teacher of righteousness,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen