The Utilization of Spirit
Greetings and good morning brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series where we seek to explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the heavenly Father has revealed many revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them with you. This morning we ponder our lives as we seek to understand the meaning of utilizing spirit.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
The Utilization of Spirit
". . . Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verse 23.
Brothers and sisters, this morning we explore the nature of the utilization of spiritual energy. We are all familiar with utilizing material energy, especially in our automobiles with the price of gas ever rising. It has to be renewed. But we are not that familiar with spiritual energy. But let us consider this story that will help to make clear this concept of the utilization of spiritual energy clear to our minds.
Once there was a man who set out to build a great building. He proposed building this great building with simple tools. It would take a great many years to complete this undertaking, but he was dedicated to the task at hand.
As he began the task, he was fresh and full of energy. His body was strong, but as the day wore on, he noticed that his body began to tire. Periodic breaks would slow the rate of fatigue, and lunch would reverse some of the fatigue, but as the day wore on the rate of fatigue marched on until physical exhaustion set in. He could no longer continue. His body required an extended period of rest and sleep before it could recoup the energies lost during the day. As long as the man adequately rested his body, he found that the next day, he had adequate energy to complete the days's task. The intake of food alone would not recharge his body. Sleep was required.
As the builder used his mind, that part of him that manipulates facts, organizes, and directs his physical body in building the physical structure, he found that his mind got tired also. He found that as the day wore on his mind was not as sharp as it was when he first began the day. Errors began to appear. And though it appeared that by resting his mind, switching it to a different endeavor, his mind was refreshed somewhat. It invariably reached that point where exhaustion set in. He was forced to rest his mind in sleep and play. Sleep appeared necessary for resting his mind while play appeared necessary for sharpening the edge of his mind.
At the beginning of his task, the builder was steadfast in his purpose. No matter how difficult the task was, he was determined that he would complete it. No matter how hard the work became, or how dangerous it might become, his resolve remained steady. By the force of will, his courage, his strength, and his faith, he would overcome all material barriers. He would complete the task. Rain, sleet, snow, pain, sorrow or disappointment would not cause him to falter and fail.
This was the human spirit in action. During various ups and downs in the work, he found that his spirit rose and fell. He had to take time to put things in proper perspective. He had to renew his spirit. Though recharging of the body, mind, and spirit took place during rest, play, and reflection, this did not explain how they were recharged.
The Father's spirit is the source of the energy that recharges the body, mind, and spirit. The Father's spirit arrives in the mind of man when he makes his first moral choice-when he chooses good over evil. When this occurs, the self is recreated in a form that can live eternally. God is the Father of this new self. As this new self begins to grow, it develops the urges of prayer and worship. This is a reflection of the divine spirit's work in the mind of man.
In addition to the human spirit being able to exercise will and impart force to the goals of its own choosing, he gradually becomes directed towards spiritual goals rather than material goals. He now begins to strive to know God and to become like Him in the process of knowing Him. As he seeks to find God, he finds that he is seeking divine love. And this love is best observed as it flows through him to shower his brothers and sisters.
He develops patience while he suffers along with those who have not yet learned to love divinely. He continues to love them, refusing to give up on them. He constantly encourages them to love by his countless acts of love. He teaches them patience by patiently being patient with them. His mercy is very generous. It has no limits. He joyously reaches out to those who could not or would not listen to the voice of wisdom, and who as a consequence of this failure are forced to hear the voice of experience.
He is unthinking in his bestowal of forgiveness. He forgives as if he were never wronged while he holds all these phases of divine goodness afloat by divine faith, But the expenditure of goodness uses up divine spiritual energy, and this spiritual energy must be replenished. It must be renewed. Spiritual energy must be renewed through prayer and worship. Never hesitate nor forget to ask the Father to renew your mind and your spirit in prayer while in worship you seek to become like Him who creates and renews you.
This concludes today’s message on understanding the nature and use of spiritual energy. We hope you find something in this message to ponder and pray about while you go about your day.
Until next time, this is Dr. James Perry.
Your Kingdom Come; Your Will Be Done!
Inspirational Messages of Light
By Dr. James Perry
The Utilization of Spirit
