United with Christ.  A one piece life for Him—that’s how we should live.  Every aspect of our lives should reflect Him.  But…do they?  Are you the same person at your work, or school, or mommy’s group, or bridge group, or Junior League?  Do you wear Jesus everywhere you go?  I know, that’s a lot of questions for a Wednesday but they are important ones.

When you became a believer, a follower of Christ, He came to live inside you.  He and you became one.  You have God’s Son living inside you and you have the same power in you that raised Jesus from the dead!  Can I get an “Amen“?

Let’s look at John 14:20 together and let it sink in.

You will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Now, let’s do a little exercise together. You will need 3 envelopes: one small, one medium and one large.  You will also need one index card.  On the index card I want you to write ‘Jesus.’  On the large envelope I want you to write ‘God,’ on the medium envelope write ‘Jesus’ and on the small one write your own name.  Now, place the index card in the small envelope that has your name on it.  Next, place the small envelope into the medium envelope and, lastly, place the medium envelope into the large envelope.  What do you see?  I see that anything that comes to you has to come through God, then Jesus, then you—and you have Jesus in you!!!  Pretty cool, huh? See, this demonstrates John 14:20… you have Jesus in you, you are in Jesus, Jesus is in the Father, and we all live together, in peace and joy and harmony. Nothing can separate us from Him, once He is in us.

Do you see things differently now?  He is not only in your life but He is your life. Our lives should be like the garment Jesus wore—one piece.  Oh I used to live a five piece life at least.  I was so busy trying to fit in this world that I forgot that I am to be set apart, made for greater things like eternity and leading others to Jesus.  If this is you, too, it’s so much easier to not try so hard and to just empty yourself of yourself and let Jesus fill you with what He wants for your life.  Yes, it’s that simple.  Every morning when your eyes open, just ask Him,”Empty me and fill me.”  He will direct your paths and guide you in the way you should go.  Every decision will be made by Him and you will live your life just like Jesus would.

His word is our guide as to how we are to live.  Start each day with Scripture.  Let His speak to you and through you.  Here are a few verses I found that go along with this chapter we just read:

Either way, Christ’s love controls us.  Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.   He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves.  Instead, they will live for Christ, Who died and was raised for them.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead.  I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11

So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning.  If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.  And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life He has promised us.

1 John 2:24-25

I leave you with this invitation:  “From now on you must grow stronger through union with the Lord and through His mighty power…” (Ephesians 6:10 ).

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Now let us pray: God, we thank You for Your Truth. Your Word is Truth and dwells here among us.  You are our Father and You want so much for us, blessings upon blessings to be poured out over us.  Keep us pure and holy, Lord.  Help us to do only that which is pleasing in Your sight.  Remind us often that You gave us Your Son to live in us, to live through us, and to fill us with joy, peace, strength , courage, and anything that we so desire in His name.  Thank You for so readily forgiving us for the many wrongs we do.  For always being patient and loving toward us, Your children. Empty us of ourselves and fill us fully with only You, and Your Spirit.                                                                                                                                                                               We love You, we thank You. It’s in Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.