THE BENEFITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: REST AND PEACE ARE FOUND IN OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
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God promised to give His children a new heart and a new spirit. He wants to remove the agony of our lives and give us His peace and joy. He wants to take the fear, depression, anxiety, worry, uncertainty, and slothfulness from our lives. If we could only learn to do this, we can enter His rest which is what He so desperately wants for us.
 
That old sin nature doesn’t want to let us go, for we were once slaves to it. Jesus came to set us free, but we have to allow Him. Our corrupt sin nature is full of pride, greed, selfishness, control and unforgiveness. It is bondage but we are too afraid to let go. Our hearts are so defiled they're not to be fix, but rather completely replaced. 
 
When we give our lives to Christ (Justification), the Holy Spirit is sent into our hearts to begin the restoration which is a process (Sanctification). The cleansing and refining process will take time - because of our lack of faith and trust in Him. We want to maintain control. It's frightening to surrender our lives to an invisible God, especially in a new area, where we've never seen Him work. The longer we hold back when the Lord has asking us to surrender, the longer we quench the Holy Spirit.
 
Do not quench the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19  

 
Having gospel treasures stored in our hearts helps us trust God more easily. I can bring Joshua, Daniel, Moses, and many others back to my remembrance. I know God provided for them in the most impossible situations, so He can for me too. I mean, Moses was trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, but God provided a way of escape. Moses was incapable of providing for himself: had he not surrendered to the Lord, there could have been a disastrous outcome.  
 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight. Psalm 3:5-6.
 
We deepen our relationship with the Lord as we surrender more areas to His control, because our trust and faith grow as He never lets us down. Allowing the refining fire of the Spirit to cleanse our minds and actions sets us free of consequences and guilt. The soul that obeys the Lord is a refreshed soul; they have entered His rest. This is the putting our lives in the obedience of Christ Jesus. Peace and joy aren’t to be found anywhere else for these are gifts of a fruitful life surrendered to God. Sure, it’s a little scary but faith grows in time. When you’ve seen the Lord move in your life daily for 10 years, then you know He will not let you down!
 
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1  
 
Find the time to allow the Lord to speak to you. Listen for Him. Listen to Him. Obey.
 
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15
 
We were made to live in holy communion, sharing and loving one another. Often the Lord will be leading you to help, care, support, or forgive your fellow brother or sister. The Lord wants us to be one: to love each other as we love Him, just as He loves us.  If you’re trusting on Him for health and healing, or work and finances, or decision and direction; allow the Spirit to speak to your heart. He wants to help. He can be trusted. He will work all things together for your good and His glory. 
 
Lord, we just pray right now that Your still small voice can be heard in the hearts and minds of Your children. Lord, we pray You provide them the faith and comfort to listen and to obey Your words of encouragement and direction. Lord, we thank You for always meeting our needs and providing for us. We ask that we would be able to love one another as You’ve loved us. We ask that you would give comfort and direction in our decisions. We ask to have the mind of Christ in wisdom and knowledge. We ask for health and healing in our bodies and minds. We ask for strength to live our lives as a living sacrifice so we can show the world that You are alive and with us. We do all things in the mighty name of Jesus for we know that all power and honor are with Him, now and forever, Amen