Spirit, Soul and Body Part 7

You're constantly being fed information and drawn in one of two directions-the flesh or the spirit (Gal. 5:17). The Holy Spirit always endeavors to draw you toward G.o.d and remind you of your new ident.i.ty in Christ. Satan, through the world, its images and voices-news media, movies, books, newspapers, magazines, a.s.sociations, and even church organizations who are mistaken in some of their beliefs-constantly pushes you to accept defeat. What you continually think on is what you'll experience (Prov. 23:7).

Your flesh and spirit constantly fight each other in your mind. G.o.d proclaims, "You can do all things through Christ." The world answers, "No, you can't. You're just a failure!" On and on, the daily battle rages. That's why this life-changing truth isn't just something you learn one time and conclude, "I've got it!" This understanding of spirit, soul, and body should motivate you to aggressively pursue renewing your mind to G.o.d's Word-a process that'll continue for the rest of your life!

Soak Your Mind Soak your mind in these truths that G.o.d has spoken. You might need to go back and reread this book in a week or in a couple of months. Perhaps you should consider ordering the audio series so you can listen to this teaching again and again. Whatever you do, meditate these truths until they come alive to you. Then, keep them refreshed by occasionally coming back to them.

G.o.d spoke these truths to me over 35 years ago, but I'm still in the process of renewing my mind to them. Over time, He's been expanding, developing, and giving me even more understanding on this. I feel like the Apostle Paul, who after twenty or more years of knowing and serving G.o.d, said, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of G.o.d in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14).

Don't be discouraged! I'm not saying you have to wait a long time before you see any results. I just want you to know that until you see Him face to face, you never arrive, you just leave. And if the Lord has spoken to you through this teaching, you need to leave right now! Turn from carnal mindedness, and start being dominated by your born-again spirit instead. Discover the realities concerning who you are in the spirit, and let them con-trol you. When you do, you'll experience life and peace. It really is that simple!

But it's not easy! In fact, changing your focus from the flesh to the spirit is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. It's a gradual, but total, reprogramming of your natural mind to agree with your spirit. Through renewing your mind to G.o.d's Word, you can become spiritually minded!

What G.o.d has spoken to you through this book has the potential of radically changing your life, but applying these truths will take some real focus and effort on your part. However, the good news is that G.o.d wants you to fully understand and walk in them even more than you do! He'll faithfully do His part if you'll just head in that direction acknowledging that "G.o.d, it's going to take a miracle to renew my mind! It's so used to being dominated by the flesh. I'm really going to need Your help!" The Holy Spirit will reveal to you who you are in Christ. He'll show you Jesus, spiritual truth, and reality. It just takes commitment and effort on your part to focus on the Word and the spirit.

Begin Now In light of what you've read, I encourage you to pray out loud the following prayer from your heart: Father, I open my heart to the Holy Spirit to continue revealing these truths to me. I recognize that this is a process and not just a one-time thing. Therefore, I ask You to give me greater revelation of spirit, soul, and body throughout the rest of my life. As I apply what You've shown me, please encourage me with some quick results. I want to establish new patterns of walking by the spirit so I can live a full and effective life in You.

Thank You for bringing these truths to my remembrance when I need them. Thank You for helping me to share them with others so they too can break free from their flesh's dominion. Thank You for setting me free and using me to set many others free too! 1 love You, Father! Amen.

Receiving Jesus as your Savior Choosing to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the most important decision you'll ever make!

G.o.d's Word promises, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that G.o.d hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13).

By His grace, G.o.d has already done everything to provide salvation. Your part is simply to believe and receive.

Pray out loud, "Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that G.o.d raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me! "

The very moment you commit your life to Jesus Christ, the truth of His Word instantly comes to pa.s.s in your spirit. Now that you're born again, there's a brand-new you!

Receiving the Holy Spirit As His child, your loving heavenly Father wants to give you the supernatural power you need to live this new life.

"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened...how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:10-13).

All you have to do is ask, believe, and receive!

Pray, "Father, 1 recognize my need for Your power to live this new life. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. By faith, I receive it right now! Thank You for baptizing me! Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life!"

Congratulations-now you're filled with G.o.d's supernatural power!

Some syllables from a language you don't recognize will rise up from your heart to your mouth (1 Cor. 14:14). As you speak them out loud by faith, you're releasing G.o.d's power from within and building yourself up in the spirit (1 Cor. 14:4). You can do this whenever and wherever you like!

It doesn't really matter whether you felt anything or not when you prayed to receive the Lord and His Spirit. If you believed in your heart that you received, then G.o.d's Word promises you did. "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24). G.o.d always honors His Word-believe it!

Please contact me and let me know that you've prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior or be filled with the Holy Spirit. 1 would like to rejoice with you and help you understand more fully what has taken place in your life. I'll send you a free gift that will help you understand and grow in your new relationship with the Lord. "Welcome to your new life!"