The Plumbline

The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27) We most frequently call out to God when we are at our weakest, don't we? You can actually tell that you are maturing in your walk with Jesus when you begin to seek him more and more, even when you are not experiencing some catastrophe or weakened spiritual, emotional, or physical state! God sent his Spirit into our lives so that we would have his help - in weakness and when we believe ourselves strong (even when we might not realize just how weak we are). This is especially important in times of seeking God - in times of prayer, when we don't k...

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:10) Workmanship - we think of it in terms of what we can produce. God thinks of it as what he has produced! We are his own master work - a work of art. We put art on display, don't we? Why would God do expect anything less from his works of art? We are 'put on display' in this world, to reveal God's love and grace to others. As his creation, we were spiritually transformed, renewed, and made ready to be used by him in this world (in whatever capacity he chooses to use us). In other words, we aren't 'stagnant' in our faith. We allow God to use us wherever he places us. Life changes each day - new experiences com...