Caring for Your Spirit: Remembering Whose You Are
Debbie Johnston, Trinity’s Director of Congregational Support
We have just had a series of services discussing Spiritual Warfare. During a time of trial it is especially important to remember to whom we belong. We have the Lord of the Universe on our side even while we must occasionally battle the prince of this world. However, our battles are never with or about other human beings. Instead, our enemies are some facet of our broken world; either the result of some person’s as yet unhealed sin nature or some aggravating negative spiritual force. This means we can absolutely hate the sins perpetrated against us while still loving the perpetrators. This is the secret to living a victorious and peaceful Christian life.
No matter WHAT happens, we belong to Christ, & nothing will ever be able to separate us from his love (memorize Romans 8:37-39). As I said last month, we may think we have chosen him, but in fact, He has chosen US from the foundation of the world and will be faithful to guide us through every challenge of our lives till we are safely established in our heavenly home.
Isaiah 43.1: “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, [O Jacob] he who formed you,[O Israel]: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (As Christians, we are included in the ‘chosen people’ of our forefathers ”Jacob” and “Israel.”)
Isaiah 49: 13-16 “13Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. 14But I [Zion] said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.’ 15Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I [God] will not forget you. 16See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” ["Zion" is another name for God's chosen children (which originally meant those dwelling in Jerusalem) but now includes all Christian believers.]
John 15:16 “16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.”
I cannot promise you there will be no storms or even downright tragedies that you may be asked to endure in this life, but I CAN promise you your ultimate future and purpose are certain in Christ Jesus. You are SAFE in his everlasting arms.
Yours on the Journey, Debbie