A Faithful Life

At times, we make poor choices and allow them to define who we are, causing us to live in a downward spiral with one destructive choice after another.

God calls us to gain our self-image and fulfillment from His presence in our life and to follow His will for our career, relationships and all of our decisions (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:2).

We often worry about what others will think of us, especially those significant others in our life; however, God's opinion of us is all that really matters.

There is no need to covet what this world has to offer, because this will cause us to stray from the truth and bring us many trials and sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).

Clinging to Christ allows us to hold fast to our faith in His faithfulness with a clear conscience (1 Timothy 1:19, 3:9, 4:1). We obtain eternal life both now and in eternity by entering an intimate relationship now with God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3; 1 Timothy 6:12).

As a good example of an authentic Believer, we traverse the issues of life with love, patience, meekness, holiness, purpose and moderation in all things (1 Timothy 2:15, 4:12, 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22, 3:10).

We teach God's Word to our children and live a Godly example before them (2 Timothy 3:15). Showing our humanity as well as our growing maturity in our faith; so they will know it is possible for them to walk in the Lord all the days of their life as well.

Prayer:

Father God, give us Your love and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ and toward all of Your Saints (Philemon 1:5). We acknowledge that our faith is effective, because every good thing we are and possess come from You (Philemon 1:6). We want to inherit Your Kingdom through the faith and promises You teach us during our lifetime (Hebrews 6:12; 2 Peter 1:4).

We draw ever closer to You with a true heart full of the assurance of faith, which You give us when You cleanse our conscience and desires with the pure water of Your Word (Hebrews 10:22-23; Ephesians 5:26). Help us to live by the faith and the example of the great cloud of witnesses who went on before us (Hebrews 11:1-39, 12:1-3).

Thought for the Day:

Our goal in life is to utter these words with our final breath: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race and I have kept my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Timothy 4:7

Self-confidence or God-confidence

There is nothing on this earth that I want more than to be filled through all of my being with all of the fullness of God, and to have the richest measure of His presence until I completely overflow with God Himself (Ephesians 3:19). This starts at Salvation when we receive all of God's fullness. He moves in by His Spirit with all of His glory and power.

I know that there is no way to contain more of God, because His fullness already abides in Believers; but I do want to experience a fuller awareness of His presence and leading. Too often, we are so full of our self, that we miss out on the fullness of God within us. The more we allow our flesh and self-confidence to dictate our life, the less we walk in the Spirit.

We need to surrender to God the self-assured part of our identity in order to trust Him. People with a high opinion of their assets have so much to overcome, but those who suffer with self-doubt and who lack self-esteem are closer to walking in the Spirit. The uncertain, timid person is already light years ahead of most people. Insecure people trust God more than those who are secure in their self.

What we need more than self-confidence in our human attributes is our confidence and identity in God. John advised us to decrease, so that Christ in us may increase (John 3:30). We gain our identity in who we are in Christ, not in who we are as a person. There is nothing, which God calls us to do, that we cannot accomplish, once we realize the extent of His power within us (Philippians 4:13).

If we list our human assets and talents, we discover the gifts God gave us. For instance, what are we good at? What positive character traits do we already have? These are the areas where God is already shining through us. We are His light in the world (Matthew 5:16). God lives in us, and we have all the power of the godhead working through us. Now, that fact will improve any self-image!

Prayer:

Father God, when we face challenges in life, which overwhelm our faith, we are tempted to roll up our sleeves and apply some human effort to the problem. We fail to realize our limited human resources. Remind us that the nation of Israel faced such an issue at the outskirts of Canaan, and felt like grasshoppers. They wandered in the wilderness, because they thought they had to rely on their human effort rather than on Yours. Give us the faith to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit each moment of every day. 

Thought for the Day:

When we gain our identity from Christ in us, rather than from our human capabilities or insufficiencies, we accomplish everything, which God calls us to do.

Behavior Does Not Define Us

I used to think I was a bad girl, because I occasionally did bad things. It took me years to come to the realization that I am a good girl, even though I do bad things sometimes. I did not realize that I am a separate entity from my behavior.

I thought that my behavior defined me. I tried to earn my goodness by my behavior; then, when I failed, I felt utterly lost and worthless.

On a glorious day in February of my 18th year of life, God made real to me the fact that He bought me by the blood of Jesus and redeemed me by His Son's resurrection (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:19). 

He came to live in me and He started the process of converting my carnal nature into the nature of Christ. He set my feet on high places (Psalm 18:33), and renewed my self-image to my true identity in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17).

I am no longer burdened by the notion that I need to be perfect in order to be loved. Father God, who created me, and Jesus, my Brother, who laid down his life for me, both love me unconditionally. I am not a mere mortal, but I am empowered and indwelt by the Spirit of the Living God (2 Corinthians 3:18).

I am not the person that I was at 18. Over the successive years of my life, God freed me from the tyranny of self-effort (Ephesians 2:8-9). He taught me that I am not a bad person, but I simply do bad things now and again. 

He is faithful and just, and He always offers me forgiveness for my transgressions at the very moment I repent of them (1 John 1:9).

We never have to allow satanic influences to condescend, criticize or bully us into thinking that we are "less than" we should be. We are actually complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). 

We are "more than" conquerors through Him, because He loves us (Romans 8:31-39). With Christ in us, we are lovable, interesting and sufficient individuals (Philippians 4:13) who are loved by the eternal King of the universe.

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You for redeeming us and making us special and unique individuals in Your Family. You give us victory each and every day (1 Corinthians 15:57). We continually walk in Your love and bask in Your fellowship. 

Thank You that Jesus also loves us and gave Himself up for us, as a sacrifice to atone for our sins (Ephesians 5:2).

Thank You too that we are the apple of Your eye (Zechariah 2:8; Psalm 17:8).

Thought for the Day:

We are crucified with Christ and our flesh no longer lives, because Christ lives in us and freed us from our sins by His blood. - Galatians 2:20; Revelation 1:5