A beautiful exchange

 When we take every thought captive and submit it to Christ, we can experience freedom:  Freedom is having  the mind of Christ.  Galatians 5:13 says "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters... to serve one another in love."  I bet you would say that you would "love" to receive some serving in love!  Well when we submit to Christ, not only are we freed up to easily give, because we are not weighed down by bitterness, feelings of incompetence, or shame, but we are also more open to receive the love of others.  Have you ever stepped up to serve someone and found their demeanor repulsive?  Maybe they didn't even say anything, but there was a scowl on their face, or they seemed hesitant to receive.  There could be a lot of past behind that representing things they have not submitted to God.  If you think you are not blessed, you will not easily receive blessing.  Take some time to reflect on your receiving attitude.  Are you welcoming of others' help, gracious, quick to bless?  Or are you particular, focused on what you want, and forgetful of words of thanksgiving? Do you struggle with feeling like you don't even "deserve" the blessing, that you're not enough or the blessing won't be enough anyways? 

God wants us to be open to receive His blessings, to consider that His ways are better than what we've dreamed up or what we think we deserve (positive or negative), and that He is enough for us and has enough for us.  I love reading the book of Deuteronomy (spend a little time in chapter 5 and 6), for this, but it's all over His Word.  He loves us so much, and wants us to freely experience His blessings, that come when we are without the chains of shame, regret and bitterness.



We have the Spirit to guide and direct us.  Jesus leaves His disciples, and us, with this hope in John 14:1 and verse 15-17, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust also in me.  If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth."   Don't meditate on the what-ifs, the things that cause us to doubt His call for us, and His omnipotence and ability to bless us. We can ask Him to help us discern.  In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul admonishes us, "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."

Exchanging our desires for His allows His blessings to flow.  

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