Learning to Live with Christ Little by Little

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.      Ephesians 3:16-17  NIV

   The goal of the Christian life is to learn to live with Christ in everything we do.  We can’t do this on our own, so the Holy Spirit empowers us to do this.  As He does, we are  filled more and more with the life of Christ.  Through the Spirit, we can learn to live in a fuller and fuller partnership with Jesus, so that His good life flows through us in ways that we can hardly imagine.

Sometimes we have big breakthroughs or crisis experiences on this journey, but mostly we learn to live with Christ little by little.  Our experience of this depends on two things.  First, we need a correct understanding of Jesus.  We need to know that Jesus is always present in us and  trust that He is always ready to share His good and beautiful life with us.  Second, we need to take small steps to become more and more aware of His presence in us. 

   This second part is what these SPAs are all about.  Each of these activities is designed to make us more aware of Christ in us.  Ask yourself two questions:

   1.  What are two simple and practical ways you can remind yourself each day this week that Jesus is in you and wants to share His life with you?  

   2.  What simple and short prayer can you pray each time you are reminded of Christ that will invite Christ to share His life with you?

Centering Prayer and the Priceless Treasure of God's Kingdom

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.    Matthew 13:45-46 NIV

 

 

It's been said that undivided attention may be the world's scarcest resource. One thing for sure is that a lack of focused attention hinders our walk with God.  This weekly "SPA" is all about practices you can use to increase the attention you give to God, which in turn helps you trust him, which in turn helps you to experience the good life he offers us. Even better, the more we experience God's goodness, the more it flows through us to others so they can trust his goodness, too.

There are all kinds of practices, some well known and some less known. One practice is called "centering prayer". A "centering prayer" is a brief prayer we pray often, with sincerity, that helps us reconnect with God and his great goodness. Sometimes it helps to close your eyes or breathe deeply while you pray this prayer. This week, try using this "centering prayer" several times a day to help you remember the priceless value of God's Kingdom and increase your desire to seek his kingdom first. You can write it on an index card to carry it with you while you learn it.

 

"Father, you are the only good and great King. Your kingdom is better than anything this world has to offer. Please open my eyes to see more of the beauty and greatness of your kingdom and give me strength to seek your kingdom above everything else today."