God's Holy Spirit is the very core of His being, just like our spirit is the very essence of our existence. It is amazing to think that He has entrusted us with His precious Holy Spirit. It amazes me to think that we could be the resting place for the living God. Anyone who has ever felt abandoned should take heart in the promise that our Father in heaven will never give up on us. God promises to give us everything we need in our daily lives. What’s more, He also calls us to show that love and care to others. One way you can show God’s kindness is by reaching out and sponsoring a child living in poverty. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. In the light of eternity, our lives will be a moment, a twinkling of an eye, so to speak. In James 4:14, our lives are described this way... Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (NIV) Matthew 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Prayer is so powerful! Reflect on these Bible verses about prayer and let God’s promises spur you on to pray to your Heavenly Father and share your hopes and needs with Him today. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.If you have put your faith in Christ, put away sin. You are dead to it. When temptation comes, resist. This is good news, but the evil one will do everything he can to fool you into thinking you can’t help it. We were created to exist forever. We will either die and continue eternal life, or we will die and continue eternal death. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The way that I can walk in mercy (for myself) every day is by simply extending mercy to those around me. The person who cuts me off when I am driving, the miserable store clerk, the friend who might have offended me in some way. If I forget that I need mercy myself, I may forget that I need to extend mercy to others. Humility is one character trait that is impossible to achieve by focusing on it. The only way to become humble is to look away from yourself, and then look to God and others. Fixing your eyes on him and his glory will keep your own self in a proper perspective. When you are humbled in this way, God’s promise is to exalt you. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Seek him in prayer, in the Word, in the wise counsel of Christians whose lives seem worth imitating, and then live wisely. Knowing what to do is knowledge. Doing what you know is wisdom. Jesus promises that his Father’s house has many rooms and there is a place prepared for us with them in heaven (Jn 14:3).

The fact is that anyone who chooses to withhold forgiveness has not been to the cross, and has not allowed God to forgive them of their own sins. Not being willing or able to forgive those who have sinned against us is a sign of unbelief. This means that, though we suffer with him now, we are also co-heirs and will receive an inheritance in heaven in him for eternity. Spend some time imagining what it might be like in the Father’s house with many rooms. Live with him today, so that you can live with him forever. In Christ, we can pour ourselves out “like a drink offering” (2 Tim 4:6), but the way of Christ is a light yoke because it is his yoke. Jesus has borne the burden of our salvation, we have only to follow him in his gentle path. Today's promise tells us that we belong to God and He delights to rest upon us. In the Old Testament, we read about the Holy Spirit coming upon people at certain times, but in the New Testament there is a whole new level of interaction with the Holy Spirit that we have a privilege of knowing. He lives in us. In John 14:23, Jesus said that not only will the Holy Spirit live in us, but Jesus and the Father would too! Whether we’re on top of the world, or in the midst of trial, like King David in Psalm 119 we can call on God to fulfill His promises, “Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.”