“Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]. Thank God in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the Holy Spirit; do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good to hold fast.
Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved and sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
Faithful is He Who is calling you to Himself and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].” (I Thessalonians 5:17-24)
This passage is a recipe for spiritual maturity. It builds one upon the other. Like the scripture says “line upon line, precept upon precept.” The foundation of a mature believer’s life is unceasing prayer. Prayer that perseveres through any circumstances. Building upon that is gratitude to God for everything. The fact that you woke up above ground is enough to praise God about. Many people died during the night. Thanking Him in the middle of the crisis shows trust and faith in Him.
What happens when someone prays unceasingly? They begin to move in the Spirit more and more. That is the next level. God begins to reveal things in the Bible you have never seen before. He begins to communicate with you in supernatural ways. Don’t despise this! It shows spiritual growth and that is what we are all striving for right?
As the communication with God increases, He begins to form His image in you. Your life and lifestyle begins to conform to His will and His purposes even in the most minor things. Things that used to be “OK” to watch or listen to, suddenly are not. This is the Holy Spirit separating you from profane things and making you pure and wholly consecrated to God. Believe me, when you get to this point, you have had so many wonderful encounters with Him that whatever He wants to do is fine!
Eventually the relationship becomes so intimate that you implicitly trust Him. You utterly and totally believe His Word and His motives towards you. This is where your life becomes hidden with Christ in God. And it all starts with prayer. Who knew an intimate life with God could start out so simple? But it does…
Blessings everyone…
From the Heart of God... 