Transcending Souls: The Path of Healing and Divine Presence (04/01/'24) -Passage

Transcending Souls: The Path of Healing and Divine Presence Our essence, our very souls, are timeless, never succumbing to the ravages of age. The essence of life as followers of Christ is intricately designed to address and heal the ailments of our souls, encouraging us to heed the wisdom of a clear and conscious soul. It's a profound realization that the maladies affecting our soul pose a far greater risk than those that afflict our physical bodies. Through the mercy and grace bestowed upon us in Christ, there exists a formidable power to mend our spirits, for the love of God possesses an incredible capacity to replenish what has been shattered within us. Reflecting on the scripture, "Behold, all souls are mine... the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4), we're reminded of the intrinsic value and ownership God holds over all souls. In the sincerity of truth, as Paul articulates, "I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 9:1), and his earnest endeavor to always keep a blameless conscience before God and humanity (Acts 24:16) serves as a testament to living in spiritual integrity. It's often not until we're pared down to the very essence of existence that we grasp the totality of life being our singular possession. Jesus' words, "Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive" (Luke 20:38), illuminate the understanding that to God, every soul is eternally vibrant and living. Paul's reminder that "The Spirit of God dwells in you" (Romans 8:9), along with the acknowledgment, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16), underscores the divine indwelling and the sanctity of our being. The Gospel, enriched by the Holy Spirit, fosters a deeper, enlightened comprehension of our life's journey, melding spiritual truth with the tapestry of our experiences. This synthesis invites a profound engagement with life, viewed through the lens of faith and a soul attuned to the divine. Pastor Steven G. Lee (April 1, 2024)