Written
By: Kirk Peterson
AWAKENING
I have been telling a lot of people lately about how God
is moving throughout His Kingdom. I
picture His Spirit hovering over the waters like in the beginning, weaving
throughout the world touching the hearts of all of his people--telling them to LISTEN!
I believe an awakening is happening in the Church right now, and this is what I believe
God is telling His people--being saved is only the first part of the story of
what it means to follow Christ. The celebration of being saved is one of
the greatest miracles I’ve seen in this world and what a joy it is to see
people come back to God! But I believe
God has more for his children in the life we live here on earth…
The question that God has laid on my heart is this: “Why
is it so hard for Christians to live the life God wants for us?”
KEY
TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
I prayed to God and asked Him to show me the answer. He led me to study the book of Romans and I
wrote about it in my last blog “Fight to Follow.” But it wasn’t until I heard the sermon by Dr.
Charles Stanley “The Key to the Christian Life” that God showed me the answer
to my question. I really can’t say it
any better than Dr. Stanley, so I strongly
encourage each of you reading this to watch his sermon and not only read
his sermon notes--but study it like I did!
For I believe this truth is imperative for all Christians.
Sermon
Notes: http://www.intouch.org/Content/50431/SN100822.pdf
(I
don’t know how long the sermon will be up, so take the opportunity my friends!)
20My
old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NLT)
OPEN
YOUR EYES
"I'm a good person, for the most part I do the right
thing, and if there is a heaven I'm sure I will get in?"
The world tells us that we all are good people, and that
is true.
But here is where the truth of what the world tells you stops short! Each and every
one of us has evil inside as well. So, why is what the world telling you so
dangerous?
It doesn't take very long when you study human history to
see what kind of evil lies in the hearts of man.
When you only focus on the good, not accepting the bad,
this way of thinking gives power to the enemy of your soul. The worlds way of
thinking teaches us that we don't need anyone else, for if we all are good,
then there is nothing to be saved from.
But the reality of the human condition is such that when
you are truthful about yourself, and reflect on what is really on the inside,
your eyes will begin to see and your mind will begin to understand that we ALL
NEED TO BE RESCUED! Jesus saves.
FAITH
IS TRUST
5For
we live by believing and not by seeing. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT)
Do you remember that trust game we all played as a kid?
Where one person would close their eyes, give themselves a hug, and trust
that the other people behind them would catch them when they fall.
In the same way, Faith in God is trust. The simple truth is God wants a relationship with us. Just like any other relationship in life, the one with God Almighty takes time to develop as we learn to trust Him.
All the great relationships in life have to have trust and I am confident, though we cannot see God, that if you trust Him--it can be the greatest relationship you will ever have!
In the same way, Faith in God is trust. The simple truth is God wants a relationship with us. Just like any other relationship in life, the one with God Almighty takes time to develop as we learn to trust Him.
All the great relationships in life have to have trust and I am confident, though we cannot see God, that if you trust Him--it can be the greatest relationship you will ever have!
LIVING
BY THE SPIRIT
So how do we live more like Christ?
LIVING THE “NEW LIFE” IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO ON OUR OWN STRENGTH, POWER & KNOWLEDGE. ONLY BY SURRENDERING YOUR LIFE TO JESUS, LETTING HIM LEAD YOUR LIFE, TOGETHER CAN YOU LIVE THE LIFE GOD WANTS FOR YOU.
That is what living by the Spirit means to me. Not that
we will not have struggles, heartache, or make mistakes but rather living life
in fellowship with our God living inside of us, that is life at its very best!
For living In Christ and Christ in us--WE ARE NEVER ALONE!
(Paraphrased
from Dr. Stanley’s sermon, “The Key to the Christian Life”)
PARALLELS
FROM CHILDHOOD TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK
My 5 year old son Brody just started kindergarten this
week. It is a very interesting time for
a parent. You have poured out so much to
help them grow and now you are sending them out into the world. You are trusting that they will find their
way on the bus, that their teacher and faculty will take good care of them at
school, and you are hoping that they will thrive in their new environment. It is bittersweet, because you are sad at losing
the time that you have together, yet at the same time you are excited for them
to grow and learn about life.
I
looked over to my boy and said, “Brody, I’m so excited for you to start
kindergarten son! You get to have all
new experiences with school, you can learn & meet some new friends. You love to learn and you did so well with
preschool, I think you going to thrive in school and I’m very happy for you.”
Brody
was excited, smiling and jumping about. “What
does thrive mean daddy?”
I replied,
“Thrive means that you are going to live life well. You are going to grow up and learn some new
things. Dad is sad that I won’t get to
spend as much time with you, but I’m happier for you because I think it is
going to be a great experience for you.”
Flash forward to our car ride home from his first
kindergarten orientation night.
“You
got to get a little taste of what kindergarten is going to be like Brody. It is not all going to be fun and adventure. Sometimes you will get bored, but school is a
great place where you can learn something. So, since you are already going to
be there you might as well try to learn something...right?”
CLOSING
I pray that you can take to heart the words written
here. To me, taking something to heart
means you pick it up and take it with you in your life--you live it out. Think on what it means to have fellowship
with our God who lives inside & through all of those who are saved. Give up
living your life for yourself and start letting Jesus Christ lead your
life.
God tells us in his word that He will never leave us or
abandon us. Jesus
said that those who are His can never loose salvation. Be encouraged my friends, for now is a great
time for all of Gods kingdom. God is good!
[Jesus
praying to God the Father] 13“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things
while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14I
have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong
to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15I’m not asking you to
take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16They do
not belong to this world any more than I do. 17Make them holy by your truth;
teach them your word, which is truth. 18Just as you sent me into the world, I
am sending them into the world. 19And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for
them so they can be made holy by your truth.
20“I
am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe
in me through their message. 21I pray that they will all be one, just as you
and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us
so that the world will believe you sent me. (John 17:13-21 NLT)
See
Mercy Me’s “Greater” video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU
