Spot On With The Word

God wants us to be content to live in peace. That is what Jesus died to give us. Some are unfortunately addicted to chaos. They don't seem to be happy unless there is a crisis of sorts. Every situation or circumstance isn't catastrophic. God desires that we be redeemed in our spirit man and restored in our emotions. He wants us to be whole. One of the indications of health and wholeness is the ability to discern the difference between a heart attack and a hangnail. While that may be humorous, it bears consideration. Next time your reactions seem out of bounds, you may need to adjust your perspective. The peace of God is yours for the asking and the receiving! Be at rest!

In the third book of John chapter two, We are told that God wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers. In the 23rd Psalm, David says that God restores my soul. Clearly it is a process. It is important that we have an internal compass that is directed by The Holy Spirit. He is the One who keeps us centered. We were never meant to make decisions from an emotionally wounded and needy place. People do not define us. Only God can truly do that. We were meant to respond to the situations in life from a realistic perspective. Everything in life is not a crisis of epic proportions. When we are wounded, we lose perspective. God desires that we become whole in our bodies, minds, souls and spirits. This is the abundant life that Jesus died to give us. It starts in our mind, will and emotions.

 

This week we are continuing with Pastor Scott's series on How to have a healthy soul. We have come to understand that your soul is comprised of your mind, will and emotions. It is critical to evaluate your thoughts. Where the mind goes, the emotions are sure to follow. We were never meant to make long term choices from a purely emotional place. Emotions are fickle. We can be up one minute and down the next. Our perspective is critical. Take time to become still before God. Consult Him. This series is critical to our well being, probably now more than ever. Stop and consider what you feed your mind. Get in God's word. Find out what He thinks is best. Prosperity is health. 

 

 

 

We continue with the series on how to have a healthy soul. We are a spirit; we have a soul and we are living in a body. Our salvation experience is progressive. The word prosper in this context means healthy. God wants us to live our best life. Jesus died that we would have an abundant life. He tells us that Himself. It is so important not to allow our minds to just wander into negative territory. What happens in our minds will show up in time. The Apostle Peter tells us in scripture to gird up the loins of our minds. We have control over the thoughts that we choose to dwell on and that we allow to take root and become a reality. We are also instructed to set our minds on things above. Things that have virtue. Things that are of a good report. If it is positive and life giving, then we are to dwell on those things. Our mind is the place where the enemy has access. We want to be healthy in our emotions. There are times when our emotions can rage like the waters of the ocean. That is when we need Jesus Himself to speak peace into our being. We do not want to make permanent decisions in temporary situations. Do not make long term decisions when you re in a place of neediness. When your need becomes your compass, you will steer your vessel anywhere that promises comfort. This can become a catastrophe. God does not want that for you!

We are talking about a prosperous soul. God wants you to be healthy in your body, mind, soul, and spirit. We will always have human needs, however He never intended us to be needy. There is a distinct difference. When you are needy, there is a good probability that your discernment will be cloudy. When this occurs, your choices will be negatively impacted. The soul includes the mind. Scripture tells us that we can have the mind of Christ. We can ask and expect His mind to be inside our thoughts. Colossians chapter 3 tells us that we are to “Set your minds on things above.” The salvation of our spirit is an act performed by God alone. The salvation of our soul is a process in which we exercise participation. Your spirit is made new instantly, but your soul is in the process. Your body will one day take on the incorruptible form. Until then, you continue to be a work in progress. Romans 12 says, “Be not conformed to this world but rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” If you are constantly in a position of need or lack, then we can easily develop a victim mentality. This may prompt you to make rash, short term, reactionary decisions. These are rarely in your best interest long term. If you are needy for companionship, you probably will not think about the long-term consequences. It is about numbing the pain of the moment. It is important that you understand the need for a healthy mind which will produce healthy thoughts and will result in the ability to see the healthy choices. God wants you whole in every area of your life. He does not want you fragmented!

We have been discussing what it means to have a healthy soul. We have been created in the image of God. We are a spirit . We have a soul and we live in a body. There are so many sincere Christians who have security in their salvation, but they are living a substandard life. This was never the plan of God for us. We were never to be forgiven and yet remain fragmented, bitter, angry, and broken by life. God wants us to live our best life. Jesus said, “I have come that you would have life and have it more abundantly.” He wants us to be healthy in our minds and in our thought life. He wants us to be healthy in our bodies. You can think your way into depression and in many instances, you can think your way out of it. What happens in your mind will happen in time. When you feel your mind wandering, gird up the loins of your mind. Set your mind on things above. Your mind is the place where the enemy has access. We want to be healthy in our mind will and emotions. Our health in this area is greatly affected by the focus of our attention. The noise around us can cause our souls to rage like the waters of the oceans. We do not want to make permanent decisions in temporary situations. Ask Jesus to be your “Peace speaker” today. Invite Him into your soul to calm you. Let Him be the peace that passes all understanding.

Pastor Scott begins our second season with a series on what it means to have a healthy soul. In 3rd John the second verse, the scripture says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” The word prosper has little to do with finance in this verse. It literally means to be healthy and without limitation. It means to be without need. It is important to differentiate the parts of our being. We are created in the image of God. He is a triune being. He is God the Father. He is God the Son and He is God the Holy Spirit. He is three in One. We are created in His likeness and in His image, so it stands to reason that we would be three in one. We are a spirit; we have a soul and we live in a body. It is our spirit that interacts with God when we are born again. That transaction can take place in a minute because of a decision. Our soul, however, is in the process of being saved. Psalm 23 says, “ He restores my soul.” Deliverance is past, present, and future. My spirit is instantly saved, my soul is being saved and my body will ultimately be saved. Deliverance is a continual process. It is not one event. Your soul is made up of your mind, will and emotions. This series will deal with what it means to think healthy thoughts which will result in making healthy choices and decisions. That is the will of God for each of us.

Offenses will come. There is no question about that. It is quite possible that every day, we will have an opportunity to be offended at something or someone. These are traps. They are designed stategically, to bait us to react in unhealthy, unproductive ways. Bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness are poisons. They feed on each other and the results can be emotionally, physically and spiritually devastating. We will always have the choice to react or respond. It isn't easy. It is critical that we learn to ask for grace to overcome that which is painful. Our health in every area of our lives depends on it.

Did you know that you are a masterpiece? You have been uniquely and divinely created to display the glory of God. You have been created for His good pleasure. There will never be anyone exactly like you. Would your life be different if you truly believed that? Our culture is so negative. Daily you can be bombarded with messages that strip away any feelings of positive self-worth. The world will be quick to tell you how you are deficient in some area. The truth is that you have been fearfully and wonderfully made. God knit you together in your mother's womb. Don't believe the lies. You are a piece of art, created by the Master. Hold your head up high. Square your shoulders. He makes no mistakes!