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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

What It Means for You to Rest in Christ



Have you ever wondered what it means to rest in Christ? There are great benefits when we do rest in Him.  It reminds me of physical rest.  WebMD has a fascinating article listing health benefits when we have a rested body. They include better health, less pain, lower risk of injury, better mood, clearer thinking, better memory and a stronger immunity. ("9 Surprising Reasons to Get More Sleep" by R. Morgan Griffin)

Maybe you know someone like I do who was always tired until they were treated for sleep apnea. If you are not familiar with this disease, it is when a person stops breathing while they are sleeping.  Most are treated with a CPap machine which makes certain they get enough oxygen while sleeping.  Several of my friends have told me that this treatment changed their life, giving them the rest they needed to have energy for each day.

Did you know that our soul needs rest also?  Our soul is our personality.  In general, there are introverts, extroverts and what I call inbetweenverts!  One of the things you can do to begin to give rest to your soul is to accept the personality type God gave you. Have you ever wished you were like someone who has a different personality type than you?  This is personality envy and is a rejection of the unique personality God gave you.  Why don't you stop right now and thank God that He gave you the personality you have, even if you don't feel like it?

Our soul also has three functioning parts:  our mind, which is our "thinker," our emotions, which is our "feeler," and our will, which is our "chooser."  These can all get tired when we are not resting in Christ.  They can be tired from legalistic Christianity, false guilt, fear of God's punishment, shame, choosing to live from the flesh, worry, pride, anger, depression, believing lies about yourself, rejection, grief, disappointment, misplaced expectations and more.

Hebrews 4 tells the sad story of how Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years never entering into the rest of living in the land God had promised to them when He led them out of Egypt.  They failed to enjoy this rest for one reason only - unbelief.  The writer goes on to say that for Jew and Gentile (non-Jews) today, God wants us to enter into a different kind of rest.  According to Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, this kind of rest is "soul-rest." It's a way for us to have rest in our mind, emotions and will.  

Hebrew 4:9-11 says, " 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience."  How do we enter into that rest, especially as Christians?  The answer is, through faith in Jesus Christ and what He has already done for us.  

He has finished what many of us are still trying to finish in our relationship with Him.  He has finished these for us:  He has made us acceptable to God our Father by 1. Making us 100% righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21); 2. Forgiving us of all past, present and future sins in Christ (Ephesians 1:4); 3. Seating us (in our spirit) in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2:6); 4. Reconciling us as enemies to God by making us His friends (2 Corinthians 5:18);  5. Being well-pleased with who we are in Christ, regardless of our behavior or ministry, just as He was with Jesus (Matthew 3:17); 6. Showing us that we are as valuable as Jesus in the parable of the pearl (Matthew 13:45-46);  7. Convincing us that there is no condemnation from Him when we fail or sin (Romans 8:1);  8. Removing our shame (Romans 10:11); 9.  Offering to live His life through us in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that living our Christian lives is not up to us but Him (Galatians 2:20).

There are many more, but I wanted to show you some of the core work God the Father did through Jesus for you and in you.  Do you want to enter into that rest today as a Christian? Why don't you go through them one by one and thank Him by faith that all of those are true of you?

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't invite you to come hear a very deep teaching on how we can rest in Christ in our Foundation for Transformation Conference which is only 10 days away - June 6. Click here for more information and to register https://gracelifeinternational.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/26759

Believe it! It's the Gospel.

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2016 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Why a Christian Can't Be an Alcoholic


It's very easy to beat yourself up.  When you sin or fail in some way, Satan puts self-critical thoughts in our minds which sound like our own thoughts.  Then, we run with them and before you know it, we create a narrative about how dumb we are, how ugly we are, what a big failure we are, what a sinner we are or what a terrible Christian we are.  We default to letting our struggles define us.
 
Yet, I challenge you to pray:  "Daddy God, I pray that You would cause my thinking to line up with Your thinking wherever they are different."  That is what a renewed mind is.  It's the Holy Spirit replacing our stinking thinking with God's astonishing thinking about who He is, who we are and how to live life.  I want to focus today on God's thoughts towards us.
 
Our Daddy says in Isaiah 55:8, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. It's very easy for us to take this as a scathing criticism from Him.  Yet, it actually reveals God's longing for us that His thoughts and His ways become ours.
 
When He looks at you, He's not thinking about your failures or successes for that matter.  He's thinking about what He did for you and to you in Christ.  He sees one of His children who is like Him.  He loves you because He sees you as a new creation who is righteous, a saint (holy), complete, forgiven, loving, patient, kind and so much more!
 
I personally had to remember who I was when two people criticized me last week for inviting you in the last few blogs to our Foundation for Transformation Conference (Romans 5-8).  One said I had gotten away from life giving blogs.  What surprised me is that this person had been transformed by Jesus through GLI.  I thought they would want to use those emails to invite people they love who are not free.  The other stated that they lived too far away from our office so they no longer wanted the emails.  I scratched my head wondering if they had somehow missed that no matter where anyone lives, they can join us via our powerful online system.
 
Sometimes, criticism is valid and we can learn from it.  Other times, it's not.  Either way, I reminded myself that it doesn't change my identity.  I am who Jesus says I am, period.
 
This is why a Christian can't be an alcoholic.  That doesn't mean there aren't Christians addicted to alcohol, opioids, meth or cocaine.  They need to admit they are addicted and need help so they can get help. Jesus and the experience of His deep love for them can free them from their addiction as they learn who they are in Christ.  There's so much more I would like to share with you, like why a Christian can't be a liar, a thief, a pornographic person.  Space doesn't permit here, but you will see below that there is a way I can, soon.
 
I leave you with two take-aways.  1. Line up your thoughts about who you truly are with God's thoughts about you.  2. Accept my invitation to come hear more at our Foundation for Transformation Conference IN OUR OFFICE or ONLINE so God can personally speak to you about what He's done that makes you as righteous as Jesus Christ. I will personally be teaching the first night, Monday, June 6. This is a FREE CLASS. SIGN UP HERE  (If you've attended before, invite someone you care about, remembering how God spoke to you there.)

Warmly in Christ, 


Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2016 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

You Can't Spiritually Mature without the Message of Righteousness




The idea of righteousness is used 50 times in the book of Romans! 50 times is a tremendous amount, isn't it? That lets us know that it is a very big deal to God and should be to us, too.

Hebrews 5:13 tells us it is such a big deal, that unless we've been clearly taught that we are completely righteous, we can't mature spiritually. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  If a 3 month old child is drinking mama's milk, we think that is wonderful!  If a 13 year old is drinking mama's milk, we know that is weird!  This verse tells us that not knowing the teaching about how righteous we are, makes us spiritually immature like that 13 year old.

Romans is all about the message of righteousness. It's the message that God is able to save sinners, and not only forgive them but make them as righteous as He is.  That is scandalous grace isn't it?  It seems too good to be true...but, it's the Gospel!

Let's go back to the number 50 again.  In the Old Covenant, every 50 years was called the Year of Jubilee. Here are a few things the nation of Israel would celebrate during that year. Slaves were set free.  All debts were forgiven.  The land would rest from growing crops.  Freedom, forgiveness and rest.

I don't want to overstate the idea of righteousness being used 50 times in Romans, but it is certainly fascinating that in Romans we learn how God has provided for us freedom, forgiveness and rest...through being made as righteous as Jesus. The #1 question we hear at the Grace Life Conference is..."Why have I not heard this before?"

I wish I had time to delve into these Scriptures which teach this amazing New Covenant truth, but space does not permit here.  However, I can invite you to hear me teach these Scriptures verse by verse on June 6, from 6-9 pm.  This is our FREE CLASS that we invite you to that I will personally be teaching and I have to say, it is my most favorite teaching that I do at GLI!

The truth you will hear that night is what freed me from sin habits I could not stop and transformed my relationships, especially my marriage.  I will be sharing more about that then.

Won't you join me that Monday night from 6-9? You can hear it live in our conference room or you can hear it live online. However, seating is limited and it's on a first come, first serve basis. 

Register quickly online at www.gracelifeinternational.com If attending online, we will send you directions on how to login to the class that night.  (Already been? Invite your family and friends!)

Believe it! It's the Gospel.

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2016 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Come Hear the Other Half of the Gospel

Without hearing the whole Gospel of Grace, we only understand the first half of it and wonder why we struggle so much.  It's like trying to live the Christian life with one hand tied behind your back!  There is the forgiveness side of the cross of Jesus but there is also another powerful side.

Come hear the other half of the Gospel at our Foundation for Transformation Conference.  At it you will see the following unveiled from a verse by verse study of Romans 5-8.

  • Why God unconditionally accepts you  (Rom. 5)
  • How you can overcome sin (Rom 6)
  • Why Christians have something better than the 10 Commandments (Rom 7)
  • How to live daily in Jesus' resurrection power (Rom 8)
Comments from former attendees:


"I now understand that intimacy with God is not about performing for Him but enjoying Him because of what Jesus has performed for me!"  John A.

"I've heard Romans taught many times before, but I've never heard it taught in a way which freed me so much personally!"  Gerry C.


These classes are every Monday night from 6-9 pm or online!

It begins Monday June 6, and the next three Mondays in June for a total of four weeks. Can't make every Monday!  No problem.  We will get the audio and notes to you at no extra charge.

Cost?  The first class is no charge.  $50 pays for the remaining three classes.

SEATING IS LIMITED IN OUR OFFICE AND ONLINE!  

Register online ww.gracelifeinternational.com Need more info? Email our Director of Training, Sandy@gracelifeinternational.com 

(While this class can be taken without continuing with our Advanced Discipleship Training (ADT), it is the beginning of it for those who want to discover if God is leading them to continue with ADT.)
In His Grace,


Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2016 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Accelerate Your Spiritual Growth


Here is the email I asked you to watch for. This is an eptastic opportunity for you to accelerate your spiritual growth. We've watched God do this in hundreds of lives and now we want you to have this same opportunity for yourself and/or others you care about. Here's how.

Discover the power of God's grace with our Advanced Discipleship Training program (ADT). ADT is an 8-month journey designed to help you encounter the fullness of God's love and learn how to disciple other people in His amazing grace. Each participant receives the following:
 
  • Live, weekly, grace-based teaching by our qualified staff
  • Personal mentoring by a GLI staff member
  • Interaction and community within a small group
  • Audios and videos by nationally-known teachers
  • Collection of specialized books and resources
  • Specific training on how to disciple others
 
ADT runs for eight months every Monday night from 6 - 9pm starting July 11, 2016 at the Grace Life offices in Charlotte, NC. Go deeper into God's grace with three-hour classes taught by our gifted staff. Topics include:
 
  • Untwisting Your Concept of God
  • Embracing Your Identity in Christ
  • How to Forgive from Your Heart
  • Resting in Grace versus Exhaustion from the Law
  • Hearing God's Voice and much more...
 
In case you miss a class, you will receive a free audio recording. Here's what recent alumni say about attending ADT:
 
"Next to my salvation, ADT is the greatest experience of my Christian life!"  - James C.
 
"I couldn't have imagined how much more I was going to enjoy God until He replaced my law-based thinking with grace-based thinking at ADT.'" - Joye D
 
"I'd trade my seminary education for what I experienced at ADT. It literally changed the course of my life and ministry." - Paul C.
 
The cost to attend ADT is only $1,700 for eight months of life-changing instruction. Pay up-front for only $1,500 and save $200!

You can attend at our office or live online through a powerful tool called Zoom. However, seating is limited for both!  So decide now if you want to come.
 
To get ADT details or to register email Sandy@GraceLifeInternational.com 
 
What if I'm not ready to commit to ADT and the 8-month schedule?

We offer a "taste" of ADT during the first four Monday nights in June from 6-9. For more info on this, email our Director of Training, Sandy Witherspoon at Sandy@GraceLifeInternational.com 

In His Grace,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2016 Mark Maulding but feel free to pass it on!