Chapter 5: Practice From The Heart

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crucified with Christ.” Are you crucified with Christ? If not, why? Are you really then a Christian? Isn’t this also a hallmark sign of the true believer?

Paul at the very depths of his soul simply knew that he could not do God’s will on his own. He needed help. The solution was the Spirit of God, which Paul found through his faith in Jesus. Paul had taken a step through a spiritual gateway [Christ] in time back into fellowship with the Father. As

Paul found himself in the loving caring arms of his Heavenly Father, he also discovered that he was back in Eden on planet Earth. In the midst of trials and sufferings, Paul found perfect peace and the fullness of joy! These flow only from the Father [God].

“Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jeremiah 10:23

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures

forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

If you think earthly pleasures are great, then you haven’t really tried the pleasures from Heaven that result in “perfect peace”; “fullness of joy”;

and “pleasures forevermore.” There is simply no comparison. No matter how much money and resources you have acquired on planet earth, it will never bring you this type of peace, joy and pleasure. When you walk with God’s Spirit, then you will truly start to live an exciting adventuresome life.

Even if you first are crucified in Christ and even if you still have to “suffer.”

James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Why? James gives us the answer immediately by stating: “The testing of

our faith produces patience.” Still, doesn’t this sound weird? Joy in the midst of trials? I can tell you from my own walk with God that James is telling the truth. In the midst of your trials, God will be there “inside of you with His kingdom.” Then you will know what Jesus meant in Luke 17:21.