Does Giving Make You a Giver?

   "I am what I do"!"  protested a very well known Christian in my office one day.  We were discussing what defines us as Christians.  We actually had quite a spirited debate that day.   We were not yelling at each other but it was certainly a passionate "discussion".
   Our culture communicates to us every day that what we do defines who we are.  We see it in the news, on reality shows, in popular books, and sadly in many churches.   We at Grace Life know how that belief causes great struggle and bondage for Christians.  We see it every day.
   Jesus himself challenged this belief by making it clear that it is not behavior which defines us but birth.  That is why he said in John 3 to a respected leader, "You must be born again".   Our birth is what Jesus says defines us.  Our first birth gave us the wrong identity.  Our new birth through our faith in Jesus Christ replaces that identity with the right one. 
   The person debating with me later came back and said, "I get it.  My identity is in Christ, not in what I do".
   As we think about Thanksgiving this year, let's understand that in Christ, we are Thankful People. So we give thanks.  Let's also understand that in Christ, we are already Givers.  So we give because that is simply who we are.
   As this year is winding down, we are asking Givers like you to become monthly financial supporters so we can start 2012 strong in getting the "grace" message out.
   We are asking God for 20 Givers at $10 per month, 20 Givers at $20 per month, 10 Givers at $50 per month, and 10 Givers at $100 per month.  Would you prayerfully consider joining us as one of those levels?  If so, just CLICK HERE and follow the instructions.
     Until next time remember, He loves us.  

 

Be Free in Christ, 

What is God's Dream for your Life?

  When I was entering college, my dream was to become a dentist. I tried to spiritualize this by saying that if I became a dentist, I could share the gospel with my captive patient while I was performing a dental procedure. The reality is that, I really just wanted to make a lot of money. I am so glad I did not become a dentist though I appreciate my friends who are.   Because of my height, I have been told I would have had a lot of back problems.
   People often talk about discovering and fulfilling their dreams. We have all heard singers, musicians and athletes speak passionately about their dreams for their lives. What they usually mean is that they had a goal in mind for their lives that they wanted to accomplish and have succeeded. In fulfilling their dream, they have typically become famous and wealthy.
   These few who fulfill their dreams, then tell all of us that we can fulfill our dreams too. To do so, we are exhorted to "believe in ourselves" and never give up on our dream. Yet, the reality is that most of us who have followed that line of thinking have not and never will fulfill our dreams.
   Maybe there is a much better dream we need to consider. What is God's dream for our lives? Ephesians 2:10 tells us we were born into this world according to God's plan to fulfill His dream. It states, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
   This means that God divinely designed us with specific abilities, aptitudes, desires and passions. When we come to faith in Christ, He also gives us spiritual gifts. All of these combined together uniquely equip each of us to fulfill God's dream. His dream for us was conceived before we were ever born.
   How do we discover God's dream for our lives? Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." This means that as we enjoy our God who lives in us, He will place desires in our hearts which He will fulfill through us.
   Have you ever noticed that you seem to be drawn to certain activities over and over? That is usually a good indication that you are discovering God's dream for your life. Get involved in what you are drawn to and see if your desire grows for that activity. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying every Christian is to be in full time ministry. One of my new friends is a business artist. Another is a construction worker.
   It is reported that the late R.G. LeTourneau, inventor of great earth moving equipment and servant of God said, "When I get to heaven, I hope there is some dirt to move!" Ask our Abba what His dream is for your life and watch Him unfold it for you.
   Until next time remenber, He loves us.  

Is Forgiving Yourself Biblical? (Part 2)

   When we ask God for forgiveness or thank Him for our forgiveness for a sin, we do it with confidence that Jesus already died for that sin.  You will never commit a sin Jesus did not already die for. You are not going to surprise your Father one day such that He says, "Oh no!  I forgot to put that sin on the cross!"  Many of us have received God's forgiveness and are at peace with Him. However, we may still be holding a sin against ourself.  In light of this, is forgiving yourself Biblical? 
   Yes!  The second greatest commandment is to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).   One of your greatest acts of love is to forgive someone.  To love someone as we love ourself would mean we may, at times, need to forgive ourself.  Many people are disappointed with themselves.  Others are angry with themselves.  Some actually hate themselves. Sometimes we need to forgive ourself for a sin God has already forgiven.  Other times, we need to forgive ourself for a mistake we made, though it was not a sin like when I wrecked my car on a father/son weekend two years ago.  Forgiving ourself may be one of the most difficult things we ever do.  
    A young married man I mentored took four weeks to forgive many people from his past and present.  He forgave himself last because he noted he was the most difficult person to forgive.  Yet, he's never been the same.  I wish you could have seen the before and after expression on his face!  God has provided our complete forgiveness in Christ but have we fully forgiven ourselves where needed?  If not, our standard for forgiveness is higher than God's. Do it today!

   Until next time remenber, He loves us.  

Is Forgiving Yourself Biblical (Part 1)

 A few years ago, someone chided one of our staff for teaching
that you need to forgive yourself.  He protested that this is not a
Biblical idea. Was he right or was he wrong?  It is true that many
self help experts exhort people to forgive themselves.  One writer
exclaims, "The kindest and most compassionate thing you can do
for yourself and others is to forgive yourself ."  Forgiving yourself
without first receiving God's forgiveness is wrong because in
essence you take God's place of being God!  

   Yet, day after day, many sons and daughters of God pitch their
tents in the dark forest of guilt and shame.  The only path out into
the light is to present the specific sins before your Father which
plague your conscience and receive the full forgiveness provided
for you in Christ.  Ephesians 1:7 states, "In Him (Christ), we have
redemption, through his blood the forgiveness of our sins." God's
abundant provision provides past, present and future forgiveness.
   Remenber, He loves us. 

What is the Key to the Christian Life? (Part 2)

   We are continuing to answer this question originally posed last week. In Isaiah 40:31 we are told that living from our union with Christ enables us to "renew" or "gain new strength" which literally means to "exchange". If we live from our union with Christ, we will exchange our strength for His strength.  

          Three beautiful word pictures are given to us to help us visualize this truth. The first says, 'They will mount up with eagle's wings".  An eagle lives in high places. He unfolds his wings and flies on the strength of the wind. Daily, we are to unfold our wings of faith and ask Christ to live through us.

          The second says, "They will run and not get tired. My wife is a runner and she tells me there is something called a "runner's high" runners sometimes experience. The runner feels so strong that she believes she could run forever. As we depend on Christ in us, we will be able to run in this life and not get as tired emotionally and mentally.

          Finally, "They will walk and not become weary." There are many places we must walk every day. We need to get out of bed each day and get dressed, get the kids ready, go to our job, walk in obedience to God's Word, and love people. Only as we depend on Christ to live through us in the power of the Holy Spirit can we walk through life and not become so weary.

          I have asked a question to thousand of people through the years.  The question is "Would you be willing for the next seven days to ask Jesus to fill you with His love and live His life through you"?  I cannot guarantee that we will feel any differently, but if we will do this by faith,  I believe we will see God work in and through us in new ways.   Will you take the challenge today?   If so, why don't you tell the Lord and ask Him to remind you for the next seven days?

          Until next time, remember He loves us!

What Is the Key to The Christian Life? (Part 1)

For many years, I was convinced that living the Christian successfully was the result of reading the Bible, praying, fasting, worshipping, serving, etc. Yet, I found myself growing more and more miserable.  My remedy?  Redouble my efforts.  The results?  Mental, emotional and physical burn out. Back then, I lived from the outside in.  I thought that those “disciplines” would make me a complete Christian

Today I do those same activities but from the inside out.   Yet, they are not the key.  Then what is the key?  Isaiah 40: 31 reveals the clear answer.  “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”

First, the key is for those who wait.  The word “wait” in verse 31 is interesting in the Hebrew.  It literally means to be bound together with something or someone.  In this case, we who believe in Christ are bound together with Him.  Romans 6:5a says, “For if we have become united with Him…”  You were united with Christ the day you were saved.  The key to living a successful Christian life is Jesus living in and through us every day.  Are you daily asking Him to do that whether you feel like it or not?

Until next time, remember He loves us!  

Lies Seem True the Longer We Live in Darkness

Years ago I led a mission trip to Bermuda. Yea, I know.  You are thinking a mission trip to a beautiful island? Well, people there need a relationship with Jesus, too.     One night I was walking back to the home where I was staying during the trip. There were no lights as I walked and every sound produced fearful thoughts that I was about to be jumped. Soon, I saw a dark figure headed straight for me. My thoughts raced just as fast as my heart. "Here it comes" I thought. I am definitely going to get jumped. As this island native approached, I prepared for fight or flight.   Then...he said, "Hello" and kept walking.  I had believed lies because in the darkness of the night my thoughts seemed like reality. While believing those lies, my feelings were following right along and made what I believed seem even more true.    This story illustrates our spiritual lives. The longer we live  in darkness in any area of our lives, the more the lies in our head seem true. Let me give you some examples of common lies Christians believe. "I have to obey God for Him to bless me and love me."   Not true. We obey God because we are responding to our confidence that He already loves us and has already blessed us in Christ with everything we need to live our lives.  "What I do defines who I am."  Not true. My spiritual birth defines who I am. My faith in Christ gave me a new spiritual birth. Knowing who I am in Christ will directly affect my behavior and obedience to God."  "I am sinning and disobeying God because I am not committed enough to Him."   Not true. While we certainly need to be 'submitted' to God, being more committed to God often means deciding that we will try harder to obey Him. Instead, we need to ask Christ to live His life through us so we can obey God and His Word. Jesus said in John 8:32, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free".  If His truth sets us free then what keeps us imprisoned?  Obviously lies!   Why don't we ask God to show us the lies we are believing about Him, ourselves and others so He can replace those with His truth.    Until next time remember He loves us! 

Be Free in Christ,