Spirit Enabled

4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7

What does it mean to be living in the Spirit? Although it sounds as though we would have to experience the supernatural in order to live in the Spirit, we forget that the natural in and of itself is spiritual. What I mean by this is that the very fact that we exist, that this world was created, that the universe is alive, is a spiritual act. I am not trying to buck against the normal understanding of the physical and spiritual realms, but rather bring to home the idea that we've been living spiritually all along without knowing it.

What we typically define as physical, are things which occur due to the natural laws of physics and principals of our material universe. But it should not be so hard to understand that there are things in the unseen which are happening concurrently with the physical, and that perhaps that even the physical is being supported in some way by the spiritual. The unseen is supporting those things which are seen. If we are ok with this concept then we can be accepting that those decisions which we make for or against the Lord can be supported spiritually even though we have not experienced a paranormal event.

When we accept the spiritual connection with Christ and decide to follow Him, we are being enabled by things which aren not of our own strength. Though we may not see it or even feel it, Christ is supporting us and His Spirit is able to guide us if we accept His help. Why do people not feel that Christ is helping them? Well, perhaps they are not really accepting His help in the first place.

All of us have relationships of some sort. If you a

re married, then you have a relationship with your spouse. Some of us have close friends. All of us have parents or role models that we can look to for guidance. Isn't it true that sometimes you can have a relationship, but if you aren't sharing what you're going through with that person or reach out for help, that you aren't going to receive their assistance? Would you get mad at them if they didn't help because you didn't ask?

Jesus is available and perhaps not physical

ly at this very moment, He did leave His Spirit with us so that he would never leave us alone. He is there to help us, strengthen us and guide us, but we do need to ask.

What are a few takeaways to being spiritually enabled?

Understand that spiritual living is happening right now, even though we may not be experiencing a supernatural event. Activity in the unseen is affecting those things which are seen.

1. We need to deepen our relationship with Christ to know Him and to feel comfortable being guided by HIm.

2. If we want to be enabled by His Spirit, we need to ask Him, and trust that He will work all things together for our good.

I would not put God in a box or even your

self in a box. He could move miraculously in ways that you don't anticipate. But even if it is not a physical manifestation of His power, know that Christ is willing to help and we just have to ask.

Father,

Thank you for your Son who does all things well. Thank you Jesus for your Lordship and willingness to serve us on behalf of the Father. Thank you Holy Spirit for being with us to enable us to do things according to the will of the Father. May you direct my steps and I trust your power shall help me to do all that you desire.

Amen