I'm sure as a born again child of God you may have asked yourself a question that is all to familiar to many christians. "Why does my life not reflect what the Word of God says it should be?" Many of God's children today live lives that "blend into" the world around them. There is very little in their lives that would attract others to Jesus Christ. There is little if no evidence that the Holy Spirit is resident in them. What many christians sense in their spirits, does not match up to what they actually see happening in their lives. The Word of God says "I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Yet we feel weak, and not able to overcome even the smallest problems in our lives. The Word says "I have forgiven all of their iniquities, and healed all of their diseases (Psalm 103:3 ). Yet we live our lives in guilt, and suffer under various sicknesses and diseases. The Word says "We are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10 ). Yet there seems to be something missing in our lives. The term "born again" has been relegated in this world to something that is almost meaningless. Are you waiting for God to do something dramatic in your life that will give you the direction you desire? Are you looking around in the world for your direction and purpose ? If so, then you will probably be misled, and disappointed.

I can remember a story I once heard about two friends that had not seen each other for many years. Then one day by accident they ran into each other. One was living his life by the very presence and power of God. The peace of God was evident in his life. You could see it in his face. Of course that should not be a surprise since God said that he would even be the health of our countenance ( Psalm 42:11 ). The other individual was a preacher that was struggling to find his way. Although he was preaching the Word of God, there was no joy in his life. After an hour of exchanging pleasantries the preacher admitted that he was not sure if he had made the right choice. The other fellow asked how he had made his decision to become a preacher? He replied that one day he looked up into the sky and there it was. "There what was?, asked his friend." He went on to explain that the clouds had formed into two letters, P C. His friend replied, "what did that mean?" Obviously it meant "Preach Christ", the preacher replied. Putting his hand on the preachers shoulder, his friend replied. "Did you ever stop to think that it might have meant Plow Corn?"

The moral of this little story is this. If you are a born again child of God, then do not look for peace, joy or direction for your life in the world . You will only find true peace, joy, and direction through the Word of God, and from within.

If we truly understand who we are in Christ Jesus, our lives, and the lives of those around us could be dramatically changed. This understanding will begin in knowing who we are and what we are. We are spirit, soul, and body!

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:23

If I may I would like to talk about these in reverse order. But keep in mind, by the above scripture, God is interested in your entire being, spirit, soul , and body.

What do you see when you look into a mirror? Do you see what God sees? If you don't then you better take another look. Now you may say, "Ok, I've looked in the mirror a dozen times and I still see the same old image". Ok, let's put on our spiritual eyes by going to the Word of God.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 2 Timothy 1:14

That's right! If you are a born again believer, then your body is actually the temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell in! It doesn't make any difference if that image you see in the mirror is having a "bad hair day". It is still the Temple of God! That makes you somebody really special! Think about it. Ephesians 1:13 tells us, when you believed, "ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." To be "sealed" means you were stamped with an image on the inside of your new born again spirit. When the Holy Spirit came to dwell in your new spirit, he brought with him an image. It is that image that will determine if you walk in victory or failure in this life. Because the Holy Spirit has this image in him, that makes him the most precious gift you can receive from God. He was given to you by God the moment you were saved, no questions asked.

But there is one thing you need to understand. Your body, your flesh is not going to go along with the program unless it is trained to do so. There is nothing good that resides in your flesh.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Romans 7:18

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Galatians 5:17

So then the key to overcoming your flesh, is your soul.

Your soul is your mind, your intellect, the way you think and react or don't react to the issues of life. Your soul is who you are, and what you believe or don't believe.

Now with that in mind let me ask you this. Did you ever turn a water faucet on just a half turn? What happens? Not much! The water just kind of dribbles out, and that is not exactly what you had in mind. Is the problem with the water company? Did they decide to only give you a dribble of water this month? No! The problem is you! You didn't turn the faucet on all the way. If you had, the water would come gushing out. That is exactly what the water company wants. They want you to have all the water you need, when you need it. There is plenty of water in the water company's reservoir.

So what does all this have to do with your soul? Your soul is like that water faucet. If it is not "turned on" all the way, not much will flow through your soul from your spirit (the reservoir), which is where the Holy Spirit is residing. God's intention is for his living word to flow from your spirit through your soul, into your body (or flesh), and then to the world around you. If your soul is turned off to the Word of God, not much of God's living Word is ever going to get out. Consequently your life will not match up to the image that is in your spirit. It will not reflect what the Word of God says it should be.

Now what do I mean when I say your soul may be turned off to the Word of God? Have you ever walked into the room where your TV is located, and a small voice inside urges you to either pray or open the Bible, but you pick up the remote and watch television? If you are married have you ever had the urge to pray with your spouse, but you decide to do something else? If the answer is yes, then your "faucet" (your mind) is not completely turned on to what's in your spirit. God is actually trying to get your attention. Where do you think those thoughts and urges are coming from? They're not coming from the devil. He wouldn't want you to read God's word or pray.The apostle Paul had the same problem until he overcame, and allowed his mind to be renewed by what was inside him.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Romans 7:19

So what is the answer? How do I reach the point where my soul, my mind is completely "turned on" to what is inside me? Many of God's children actually believe that it is not possible to be completely turned on to the Holy Spirit. If you believe that something is not possible, then for you it is not possible. But God said you must believe!

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matthew 8:13

Believing that something is possible is nothing more than faith. In this case, faith in God's word. Believing that the full measure of the Holy Spirit which is in you will flow through your soul. Can you imagine that? Can you see the possibilities. Remember that Gods intent is not just to change your life and heal your flesh, but more importantly to reach out to those that are lost and hurting in this world. Faith is nothing more than persuading your mind (soul), that God's word is true. By dwelling on God's word you will move from a low degree of trust to full assurance. You will become fully persuaded that it is true therefore possible. All of God's children must go through this process of changing or transforming their minds to align with the word of God. If we don't then we will live our lives far below the abilities that are in our new born again spirits. Even Abraham had to go through this and become fully persuaded. Abraham wasn't born that way. He learned to trust in what God said.

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:20,21

The word of God makes it perfectly clear. Our minds must be renewed so that we will experience the will of God in our lives.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Some may ask. "When God saved me through Jesus Christ and gave me a new born again spirit, why did he not change my soul at the same time?" Think about it. If God had transformed your soul, then you would have no choice but to follow God. You would be a "mindless" servant of God. Not someone who chose to follow God but was forced to do so. You wouldn't want your own earthly children to be like that. You would want your children to follow your example because they chose to do so out of love and respect for you. Then you know that your children truly love you. That is exactly the way God wants his children to be. Obedient out of love. It is our God given choice, and our God given right.

Now let's go into the Holy of Holies. The inner sanctuary of your temple.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27

Can you imagine that? Will you and I allow that glorious revelation to settle into our souls? There is an image. An image of God so pure so glorious, and unlike any other image. We can't comprehend it. Yet God made us in His image. God has not changed His mind (Hebrews 13:8). He still wants us to conform to His image. How can this be possible?

What I am about to say is very difficult for many of God's children to accept. It is a mystery to the world, but it should not be to a born again child of God. That mystery is this. God through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit has placed that same image inside us. In our new born again spirits. It is a mystery that has been hid through the ages, but now is made known to us.

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:26,27

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4

Don't miss it. Can your soul comprehend it? "Christ in you". Jesus is the image, and he is God's Glory! The Apostle Paul finally realized that himself, and when he did he was able to say "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. By the presence of the Holy Spirit the exact image of Jesus Christ has been placed in your spirit. It doesn't make any difference how you feel or what you may be thinking right now. The fact remains that the Glory of God is in you!

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3

Ok, so according to Romans 7:8, there is no good thing in my flesh. There is a constant war going on inside me. The Spirit against the flesh, and the flesh against the Spirit (Galations 5:17). I have a soul that doesn't want to cooperate, and spends most of its time dwelling on worldly things Romans 7:19. What a mess! Is there a way out of this? Do I have to wait until I die and go to heaven to experience the Glory of God? Yes there is a way out, and no you don't have to wait until you get to heaven. Remember that the purpose of God's Glory flowing out of you is not just to make you feel better, but to reach a lost and dying world that is in desperate need of God's Glory!

Now here is where most of Gods children experience failure. We don't realize nor is it taught much that out souls (our minds) must be renewed. In other words our souls must match up to the image that has been placed inside us. When that match occurs, then the full Glory of God rushes out from our spirits, through our souls, into our flesh, and touches all those around us.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:38,39

The rivers of living water that will come out of you is the fullness of God! The Glory of God! The express image of Jesus Christ Himself.

Unfortunately many of God's children are not experiencing "rivers of living water" flowing from their spirits. Most appear to be a dry creek bed.

The process starts with the transformation of your soul. To transform something is to change its image to match some other image. It is applying the Word of God to your soul (your mind), that will start and continue this process of transformation. It is important that you stay in and abide in the Word. Remember that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us". By abiding in the Word you are abiding in Jesus. To abide means to stay put!

Let's look at Jeremiah 18:1-4.

The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Our souls are like that clay vessel. Not a pretty thing to behold. But the potter had another image in his mind. An image unto honor. An image that would glorify God. With each turn of the potters wheel, the vessel began to transform into the image the potter had in his mind. As long as we are on this earth, this is a process that will never end. Stay on the potters table. Stay in his capable hands. Stay in the Word of God. Each revelation from the Word of God is like a turn on the potters table. With each turn, you begin to take on a "new image". The image of Jesus Christ Himself. Remember that Jesus is the Word, and each time you receive the Word, you receive the Glory of God. You will be changed from Glory to Glory

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

As you continue this process, your soul will begin to take on the image of Christ in you. Out of your spirit will flow rivers of living water. Rivers of the Glory of God! Your soul and your flesh will be transformed. God through your life will be able to reach out and touch the lives of those around you.

Now look again in your mirror. What do you see?