Not only did I grow up in church, my parents did children's ministry at our little country church for close to 20 years. I can still see my mom standing in front of the puppet stage reciting over and over again, "You are a spirit, you have a soul, you live in a body." As I type this, it is also bringing back many memories of being in the family car, heading to funerals. Yes, funerals. We have very large extended families on both sides and consequently, I've attended more than a few funerals. As we drove to the funeral home, my parents would always remind us-- remember, the body you see there is just their "Earth suit," their spirit is now in heaven with God-- to be absent from the body is to be present with the Father." (2 Corinthians 5:8).
One of the best books I've ever read as a Believer is Spirit, Soul and Body by Andrew Wommack. If you haven't read it, get it today! You will learn some fundamental truths that will change your life. You will discover that because of Jesus' work on the cross, your spirit is always rejoicing, always for the Lord, sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22). Furthermore, you will gain a confident assurance that who you are in your born-again spirit is the REAL YOU!
I think sometimes Believers fail to see the work of redemption in their lives because they're always basing everything on how they feel when that complete work is already resident and alive in their spirit-- not it their soul! Man, if I based everything on my emotions all the time and how I "feel," I'd be a hot mess! My emotions and feelings can change drastically from morning until night-- sometimes even within the same minute! Don't focus on how you feel, focus on getting your soul in line with the truth your born-again spirit already knows and just watch things take a drastic turn-around! What are some of these truths?
"For in Him [Christ] dwells the fullness of the Godhead, bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Colossians 2:9-10
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your moral bodies through His spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11
"Love had been perfected among us in this: that we may have confidence in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:17
So let's just recap these verses-- in you RIGHT NOW, right this very moment, dwells the fullness of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The same resurrection spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you-- so much so that as JESUS is, right now, so are YOU in THIS world. When you can get your soul (your mind, will and emotions) in agreement with the truth that's already in your spirit, you open up the floodgates for all of these things to flow in and through you and to change your circumstances in the here and now.
What I've discovered for me is that if I just wake up and take my day as it comes, I find myself pretty much consumed with what I think and feel. HOWEVER, when I take time to reflect on, stir up and remind myself of the truth of who I really am, what Jesus has already done for me-- everything changes for the better! I have an abundance of peace and joy. My ears are way more in tune with the voice of the Holy Spirit-- I have practical wisdom for everyday tasks, I have a constant awareness, I am not alone, I am not dependent on myself or my own abilities.
What I'm about to share with you is NOT a formula! It's not a how-to, follow this, repeat after me. These are simply the truths from Scripture that I focus on that elevate my earthly eyes to see the TRUTH of the real me and how the Father sees me.
Psalm 103:1-5 has become my favorite Psalm to start my day out with because I command my SOUL to get in alignment with the TRUTH my spirit already knows! I usually speak this one out loud and I pause and give myself time to reflect on the truth of each and every one of these statements:
"Bless the Lord Oh my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
(Speak to your mind, your will, your emotions-- tell them to bless the Lord!)
Bless the Lord Oh my soul; and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities;
Who heals all of your diseases;
Who redeems your life from destruction;
Who crowns you with loving kindnesses and tender mercies;
Who satisfies your mouth with good things so your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
"Father, I thank you that I have already been translated and conveyed from the kingdom of this world to the Kingdom of the Son of Your love (Colossians 1:13-14). I am, right now, a citizen of your Kingdom and I thank You that Your Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17) and all of heaven is available to me! I thank you that He who knew no sin became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). And because my righteousness is secure in You, I have a peace that surpasses understanding; a peace that garrisons and mounts guard protecting my heart and mind (Philippians 4:7 AMP). I thank You that because of this righteousness and peace, I have great JOY that is my strength today (Nehemiah 8:10)!"