Physician, cure yourself. (Luke 4:23) Around this time every year, messages start appearing that urge us to guard against the flu virus. We are told to take vitamins, get a vaccine, stay rested, and be vigilant about washing our hands. Well, if so much effort has to go into strengthening our physical immune system, imagine how important it is that we strengthen our spiritual immune system! Imagine what would have happened if the people of Nazareth had protected their thoughts and attitudes when Jesus came to visit. They might not have been so skeptical when he taught in their synagogue. They might have been more receptive when he told them that God’s promises for a Messiah were now being fulfilled. They might have been more open to the message embedded in all his miracles. They might have opened their hearts to the new life he had come to bring. How about you? Are you paying attention to your “spiritual immune system”? Think about how the devil, various worldly philosophies, and even your own fallen nature can try to infect your thinking and your loving. They try to spread doubts about God’s love and power. They try to sap your strength in times of temptation. They fill you with fears about what is to come, or they plague you with guilt about what has already happened. There are two key ways you can strengthen your spiritual immune system. The first is to hold onto the truths of who God is. Every day in your prayer, proclaim his love. Rejoice in his mercy. Believe in his power to heal and transform. Tell yourself that Jesus is risen from the dead and has conquered all sin. The second way is to stay connected to the Lord throughout your day. A vine receives all the life-sustaining energy it needs as it remains connected to its branch. A fruit continues to grow and flourish as it remains linked to the tree that bore it. Just so, you will find all you need to remain spiritually healthy if you stay connected to Jesus. Feed your mind with his truths. Feed your heart with his love. No spiritual virus can stand against these two defenses! “Jesus, you are the promised Messiah. You are all good and all loving. Protect me, Lord, from my enemies.”
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 05:43:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015