Thursday morning 11/5/09

I am finally beginning to realize that Jesus Christ's demands of me are not to make me miserable, but fruitful and faithful and joyful. Even his commands to exercise regularly, stop eating 'sweets', and prayer walk the neighborhood are given so that I would have joy, energy, enthusiasm, and be fruitful - abundantly fruitful. Death and resurrection are always at work in me. Die to something evil to become good. Die to something good to become great. Die to something great to become glorious. By His Spirit, we are constantly being changed from glory to glory - and that transformation is all for His glory and praise. O foolish soul, you thought God was robbing you. Rather, He was asking you to give up one thing so He could give you something far better. O what grace that keeps giving and giving! Christ does not want me simply to die more; rather, He desires that I live more, and only death is the pathway to life.