What do you see when you look in the mirror? HaHa, slow down a minute, this question is not supposed to get you depressed, frustrated and outraged. I ask the question, because most of us would say that we see ourself, but what does that really mean?
What we really see is the flesh that we live in, the physical space that we occupy. The aging and wind torn tent that we live in as the Scripture puts it in 2 Corinthians 5. We see the part of us that we usually think of when we think of ourselves, but we are so much more than what we see and that is what I want to remind us to think about today and everyday.
We are so much more than a physical body. One of my favorite teachers used to put it this way: “We live our lives as human beings looking to have a spiritual experience, when in reality we are spiritual beings getting to have a human experience.”
When our human experience is over in seventy to a hundred plus years, our spirit will live on. The sad reality is that most of us do not ever give a lot of thought to our spirit, which is the major/real/lasting part of who we really are.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. -Galatians 5:16-18
I have known this incredible truth for a lot of years, but as I get older it becomes more and more real to me and I wish that I had truly “gotten it” sooner in my life, because it really is a game changer. Understanding that I am a spiritual being living in a human body helps me better understand the battle that I am fighting everyday and why I have missed and messed up so many things.
To put it simply: When we truly begin to grasp the reality of our spirituality, our focus shifts from the temporary to the eternal and God helps our life and universe to align, so that the things that really matter begin to get the attention they deserve and our life and living start to experience the blessing they were created for.
It really isn’t complicated, but it is a battle and it is a battle that is worth fighting…
This letter is from Michael Joe Harvell, servant of Jesus Christ, to all the Saints in Christ Jesus, who make up His beautiful congregation at Eureka.
May God’s marvelous gift of grace and peace embrace you through your relationship with Jesus Christ.
I am so thankful to God for you and every time I think of you, I become even more grateful.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers and I consider it one of my greatest joys to get to pray with you and for you.
Since the moment that God brought us together in fellowship as Pastor and Congregation, it has been one amazing love story from then until now.
I am more confident than ever, that God has begun a good work in you and will continue that work until the day that our Savior Jesus Christ returns to take us home to Heaven.
It does my heart good to think these thoughts, because the Spirit has woven you into the tapestry of my heart. The things I go and grow thru, I do not go thru and grow alone, because the Gospel makes us family all sharing the same amazing grace of God.
Only God knows how much I love you and miss you, how greatly I want to be with you and Jesus.
My prayer is that our love may continue to grow more and more everyday, just as we continue to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word and the judgment it brings; not to beat us down, but to lift us up and above the challenges of this world in which we live; so that we may find and live the excellent life and live it in a way that brings a smile to the face of our Creator and Savior.
May God continue to grow an beautiful garden among us with His sweet fruit of the Spirit, enabling us to live a righteous life that brings Him even greater glory and praise.
This thing that has happened to me is a part of this life and I want you to know and believe with me that it has as it’s purpose the furtherance of the gospel; so that my challenges in Christ are just a part of life that we all must face and overcome with God’s help and blessing.
There are many opinions on why this happens or that happens and some love to pontificate to make themselves sound smarter, holier, but it is not about how we sound, it is about how we live and who we live for.
There are many versions of Jesus that are being preached today. Some preach Jesus as envious and causing strife; and some preach a Jesus of good will and happiness.
There are those that even preach a Jesus of contention, not to help others, but to hurt the cause that really matters.
The real Jesus is love and this is the Jesus I know and was created and spared to share.
So at the end of the day what really matters? That there is a God, who loves us and who wants relationship with us. A God, who has made a way where there was no way, thru the gift of His Son Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. This is the truth we preach, live and rejoice in.
For I know where my salvation comes from and I know the power of your prayers and I know and trust in the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
I don’t just say I believe, I know that my belief is real, because when I have nothing or when I have everything, it is because of Jesus. I am not ashamed to admit that I am nothing without Jesus, but with Jesus, I am unlimited potential. It is my prayer that Jesus may be lifted up and magnified in my body, by life or by death, that is His choice.
For me to live is Christ Jesus and to die is gain for all He has promised.
If I continue to live in this flesh, then this is the fruit of my labor and while I want to live and enjoy all the blessings around me, it is not for me to decide.
If I am honest, there is a part of me that wants to stay and a part of me that wants to go, but the most important thing is to be with Jesus and I can do that here or there and that is a decision for Him to make.
If He sees my living in the flesh as beneficial to others, then I believe He will allow me longer in this wind torn tent of flesh.
Whether I am in the flesh or the spirit, I will always abide with you and continue working for your growth and joy and faith;
That your rejoice in Jesus may grow into an abundance not explained with human words. Jesus is coming again to carry us all to our Heavenly home.
So, until that day, make sure that your conversations be salted with the Gospel Of Jesus Christ, so that if I am with you or a part from you that I may hear of your growth and how you stand fast and firm in one spirit on the Word of God, with a single minded pursuit of what really matters and that is faith in the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Do not be afraid of any enemy, because what I know and believe even more now than before is that God has got us, because we are His. You have nothing to be afraid of if you are a born again, saved, child of God.
God has given us an amazing gift, don’t take it for granted. Life will not always be easy. Challenges and suffering can be expected, but we never face it alone. Jesus is with us every step of the way.
There is still so much for us to learn, so enjoy your journey today, while it is still today, because tomorrow will take care of itself…
You are capable of so much more! The only limits that you have to live by are the limits that you put on yourself and the great tragedy for most of us, is that we allow way to many limits to get in the way of our true potential.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37
You are a special creation of the Most High God. You are created in the image of your Creator and made of the stuff of your Creator. You have incredible power, unlimited potential and overwhelming priviledge. It is time to wake up to the giftedness that you have been blessed with. It is time to utilize the power you have been given and live the special life of blessing you were created for. It is time to tap into your potential and start enjoying this everyday adventure that we call life. It’s time to start living up to your God-given potential, so that others can be encouraged, inspired and motivated to their best life as they get to witness you living yours…
To become the “no limit” people we were created to be, we are going to need to use some of the tools you have been blessed with, that we sometimes tend to neglect. Today, I want to draw our attention to three very special tools, that make a big difference in my life and living: My Church, My Bible and My Framily!
My Church – Everyone needs a congregation to be a part of. Men, women, boys and girls that we can do life with. People that we can bless and be blessed by. A good church is not just about what you get, but also, it is just as much about what you give. It is the give and take of blessings that created an incredible flow into and through our lives that grows us in ways that nothing else can.
My Bible – It’s been called a lot of things: A love letter, instruction guide, wisdom, God’s Word, Holy Scriptures and the list could go on and on and on. What is important is that each one of us have been given a book that has exactly what we need for exactly when we need it. The tragedy is that many of us never ever take the time to open it up, read it and take nourishment from it’s pages. Just start to read it. One verse a day is better than no verses a day. You will be amazed at how opening up your Bible will open you up to the blessings and growth of God.
My Framily – Framily is really two words put together: Family and Friends. Each one of us have people around us that we are supposed to bless, grow and encourage. We have people around us that are supposed to bless, grow and encourage us, but we have to be open to giving and taking. Look for the folks that God has given you and give yourself to them in the special ways that only you can. You will be amazed at the difference this makes in your life and living.
You are capable of so much more, now start living by claiming what is rightfully yours!
Michael Joe Harvell 