New You Being born again is a life-transforming experience. Nothing is the same. Everything looks different. What used to please you now leaves you empty. You have new interests. You love God…maybe the newest feeling of all. You don’t know yourself. The old is gone. Life is now a discovery of who you are in Christ, who God is creating, a new you. New every day. You have a new life living in you. Did you know that you are…
Becoming a Christian is so simple. Simple, simple. It is agreeing with God about our condition. It is receiving His Life. That is all it is. Dare I say it is child-like? Remember Jesus said we must come to Him as little children. It is not complicated. God tells us that we are cut off from Him, the ultimate life-giver. We were born cut off from Him. We were born with a defect. It is elementary, straightforward, and clear. We…
In the financial world, experts advised us to diversify our money into a variety of securities. In other words, don’t put all our eggs in one basket. Don’t put all our money in one stock or security. One stock might do poorly while another might do well. Since the outcome is uncertain, it is wise to diversify. What about faith? Are we advised to diversify? Should we put our security in a variety of paths hoping that one of them…
We were designed to be one spirit with God. Hearts sharing with each other. Nothing between each of us and God. Aligned. Independent living causes misalignment But Adam and Eve chose to listen to the tempter’s words promising them a wonderful life lived independent of God. It appealed to their pride. They didn’t know how messed up life could get. Today it still appeals to humans. Isn’t that the message? We can be anything we want to be. We are…
Have you ever wanted to exchange your life for a different one? You have messed up so much that you wish to wipe the slate clean and start over. If only that were possible, you say. Well, it is possible. The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; all things have become new.” NKJV When Jesus Christ died on the cross, all of our…
Faith or fear? What do we allow to influence our daily lives? Fear Fear is not believing God is enough, nearby or cares. Fear is agreeing with the bad news, agreeing with the statements of doubt. Fear is faith in something or someone other than God. What do we choose to have faith in? The bad news or God’s good news? Elisha’s servant anxiously viewed the armies surrounding their home. The enemy had invaded overnight and had surrounded the city. What…
Can words change your point of view? Can they alter your perspective? Will they give you a different mindset? What if…What if you were given certain words or phrases to think on each day of the week? Truths to marinate in. What if you participated in this activity for a month? Would it make a difference in your mindset, your viewpoint? Are you game for an experiment? Each day read the reference(s) for a month or say through Thanksgiving. If…
Can you say, “It is well with my soul?” If we are uncertain whether or not we have His approval can leave us in a state of fear, dread, and anxiety. Did you know we are born spiritually dead and cut off from our creator? Until that condition changes, we will not have true peace. It will not be well with our souls. We were created to be one with our creator. That connection was severed when the sin of…
“It was not a cramped, circumspect, compromised life, but a life lived in a kind of wild, joyful, full-throated freedom — that was what it was to obey God.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer Why obey? John 15:11 says These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. What was Jesus talking about right before that statement? He was talking about keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. Joy in…
I have had a song in my head off and on for a few weeks called Trust and Obey. Do you know that song? It is a simple song with a powerful message. So I want to explore that topic of obedience to God. Does that sound scary? What is the first thought or emotion that rises up in you when you hear the word obey or obedience? Dread? Apprehension? Uncertainty? Inadequacy? Joy? Peace? Legalistic religion? The first thought or…