I am united with Jesus in Spirit.

Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am united with Jesus in Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17 “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” Jesus spoke of His Spirit that was to come in John 15 and told us that His Spirit would comfort, guide and reveal the truth of the Father to us. John 7:38-39 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” His spirit bears witness to our spirit and is living within us. Romans 8:11 clarifies and defines this spirit we received from Jesus by faith. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” His Spirit is life giving and eternal. It is faith in Jesus that brings His Spirit to live within us and unites us to Him. Romans 8:9 in the New Living Translation states it plainly, if you know Christ, His Spirit lives in you, if you don’t He doesn’t. “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) This uniting with the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live for Christ and reject our sinful nature, reject temptations and focus on living for Christ.

So what about you? Are you living a Spirit controlled life with serving and glorifying God your main goals? Are you serving and worshiping God but want things your own way and want to tell God what is best? Are you unaware of the Spirit in your life? Lent is a time of self-reflection and prayer. Take a close look at your goals and motives and see where you place God. If He is not at the center, ask Him to reveal to you what you need to do. Pray as we are directed in Matthew 7:7-8 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”