From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Afraid to get close to God? Afraid of the change you hear will happen to you in Jesus? Don’t be! The reason it is foreign to us to be in union with God is that we are used to being independent. We think, decide, and act on our own viewpoint. Some things work, some things don’t.

Being in communion and unity with God doesn’t negate your gifts and personality. No, no—rather than the empty, often dissatisfied existence you have in your independence from God, union with Him actually enhances what He originally designed you for.

Living for God and yielding to His plan may take you on a different path than your original blueprint, but by linking up to God, you’ll end up knowing Him more and also, as an extra benefit, get to know you more!

We are complete only in Him. Pride doesn’t let us come to that conclusion easily but Psalms 139:13-16 reminds you that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom not bondage; the Father of all creation is transforming us into the likeness of Christ! Talk about an extreme makeover!  Endure the fire—it’s producing pure gold!

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