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Alive in Jesus

Because the Apostle Paul knew the limitations of the human mind, he used words to show and illustrate the spiritual concepts. In Romans 6:11, Paul wrote about being “alive in Christ.” He pointed out that prior to the Lord rescuing us, we were spiritually dead. But once we received Jesus as our Savior, we became alive in Him.

If we use our own human reasoning to help us grasp a spiritual truth like this one, we often become confused. Only through the teaching of the Holy Spirit can we begin to comprehend its full meaning. Besides, God’s living Word is meant to be experienced. We can know the fact that Jesus has given us a new nature, but only when we experience this new nature and the freedom it brings do we truly discover the scriptural meaning of “made alive.”

Think about the examples Paul chose: baptism and circumcision. Set aside your human logic, and depend on the Holy Spirit for understanding. Believe that you are a new creation—that the old nature is gone and has been replaced by the new one (2 Cor. 5:17). Practice what you learn. Spiritual joy will fill your being as you experience the truth of the revealed mystery of being fully alive in Christ

God Knows Your Needs

The reason we have weak faith is because our view of God is distorted. That shouldn’t surprise you. After all, He is so big, how could we ever truly get an accurate picture of what He looks like, how He acts or how He feels about us personally?

Knowing that we would need a way to understand Him, our heavenly Father revealed Himself through His Son. And so “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The better we get to know Jesus, the more we will understand the Father (John 14:9).

If you look at the way Jesus treated the people around Him, we get a good illustration of God’s love. Think about the woman at the well. This was a person who had been outcast by society. The fact that she came to draw water during the heat of the day (John 4:6)—a time when no one else would be around— indicates that her exclusion from the townspeople was not just their idea; she herself felt the need to stay isolated.

But what did Jesus do? He loved her. He accepted her. He gave her what no one else would give: attention and respect. That is what He does for us as well. The Lord does not want us burdened by guilt, shame or heartache. Nor does He want us to be secluded from other people. Instead, He calls us to become active participants in His kingdom.

Have you removed yourself from those around you? Take hold of your Savior’s hand today, and start experiencing the joy of His acceptance.

People Pleaser, Pt. 2

Another big indicator that we are people pleasers is that we do things out of a sense of duty instead of desire. In other words, we do something for someone because we feel obligated or because it is expected of us. We are afraid if we don’t do it, others will get mad at us or think badly of us. But doing things because we feel forced to do them or are fearful of being rejected is doing things for the wrong reason.

Now, please understand that we do not have to want to do everything we need to do. There are some things that we are required to do, and if we don’t do them, problems develop. I may not want to or feel like cleaning my house, but if I never clean it, things will become disorganized, out of order and very stressful. You and I may not want to do the laundry, but if we never do it, we will eventually run out of clothes to wear.

So there is a balance in this area that God will help us find. We just need to remove the pressure and expectations from others so that they do not feel obligated to do something for us. In the same way, we need to get out from under the pressure and expectations of others to do something for them.

God may not show you the complete picture of what He’s calling you to do before you even get started. But He will guide each small step that you take.

Let’s look at Numbers 9:18. It says, “At the Lord’s command the Israelites journeyed, and at [His] command they encamped. As long as the cloud rested upon the tabernacle they remained encamped.”

I love that they didn’t try to go where God wasn’t leading them. Just imagine how much better our lives would be if we did the same thing! You know, it’s not the end of the world when we make a mistake or get side-tracked because God will always help us find our way back. Don’t let your mistake mark the end of the road, but rather a road to a new beginning.

Think what a beautiful thing it will be to look back at your life and remember the journey you’ve had with God; to celebrate the ways He has worked in your life. I want to share a bit of my journey with you because if you can see where I started in comparison to the ministry you see today, you’ll realize: There’s no way it could happen without God! But with God, all things are possible.

In fact, the only thing we ever have to be concerned about in life is, Am I following God?

If you feel something strongly in your heart, step out and find out.

Don’t let other people make your decisions. Follow God’s destiny for your life. Find what’s going to fulfill you—and start embracing all that you’re meant to be in Christ. Choose boldness!

People Pleaser, Pt. 1

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). —Colossians 3:23,24

One of the most freeing things that I have learned in my years of walking with the Lord is how to break free from being a people pleaser. Now, I am not talking about living a healthy, unselfish life where we make the needs of others a priority. I am talking about a pressure to perform—an unhealthy drive to be accepted and approved by others. It is a desire so strong that it influences and controls the majority of our decisions

I call this needing an “approval fix.” Like an addict who “needs” a certain drug, people pleasers have a need to be liked by other people. And when they can’t get their “fix”…watch out! The “withdrawal” symptoms kick in and they become unhappy, depressed and even angry.

Here’s how to tell if you’re a “people pleaser”:

First John 2:27 says, “But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you….”

One of the greatest signs of being a people pleaser is not being completely truthful with others about who we are. We say we like things we really don’t like. We go places and say we are enjoying it, when in reality, it is the last place on earth we want to be. And we nod our heads in agreement to things we don’t feel right about in our hearts. Instead of telling people the truth about our desires, feelings and thoughts, we develop a pattern of telling others what we think they want to hear in order to remain accepted. There are also times when people are dishonest about their true thoughts and feelings because they are trying to keep the other person “fixed” or happy.

Ephesians 4:15 says, God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love … Verse 25 goes on to say we are to …put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbor the truth” because we belong to each other (NLT). And in Colossians 3:9, we are told, Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices . I think it is pretty clear: God wants us to be truthful with each other at all times in a kind and considerate way.

The Heart

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him. —2 Chronicles 16:9

The King James Version of this verse says that God looks for those “whose heart is perfect toward him.” What does it mean to have a perfect heart? It means to have a heartfelt desire to do right and to please God. A person who has a perfect heart truly loves God, though he himself is not perfect. He may still have things in the flesh to deal with. His mouth may still get him into trouble. He may make mistakes or lose his temper. But when he does, he is quick to repent and make it right with God again. If he has offended someone else, he will humble himself and apologize.

When God looks for someone to use, He doesn’t look for somebody with a perfect performance but a terrible heart attitude. He looks for someone who may not have a perfect performance but who has a right heart toward Him. God has all kinds of positions open in His kingdom. To fill those positions, He is always bringing one person down and lifting another person up. If we don’t behave ourselves and keep a right attitude, we won’t be in a position for God to use us in the way He wants to use us. He can promote us, but He can also demote us. In our organization when we get ready to promote people, we don’t look for those who are the most talented. We look for those who have a right heart attitude, those who are willing to do a little extra when called upon to do so. That is the way God is. And, one of the main things He looks for when He is ready to promote a person is a perfect heart.

A Sound Mind

As you begin to claim your mind back from the enemy, he will not want to give up the place that he has had. You will have to do battle with his lies and confusion.

Your first step is to declare out loud that you will not allow any outside force to do your thinking–no man and no spirit. There are spiritual laws that demons must obey. They cannot stay where a man wills them not to stay. Your power is in the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, and the Word of God. Ask God to give you discernment of the lies of the devil.

Think about what you are thinking about. As you recognize a lie to your mind, always defend yourself out loud. That means speaking to Satan and the evil forces out loud, binding them in the Name of Jesus, and forbidding them to lie to you and to use your mind.

When you catch a lie to your mind, use this prescription regularly–and you will regain peace, your memory, restful nights, and the ability to concentrate and comprehend.

You are in a battle–you are not alone–for all of God’s people fight this same fight (Ephesians 6:12). Make up your mind not to give up! According to Colossians 3:2, set your mind on things above and keep it set! As you begin this battle, it will seem worse than ever. The reason is that the demonic powers are fighting to keep their place in your mind (and in your thinking). Call upon God’s grace in the Name of Jesus, and He will give you the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome every evil tendency fully.

Remember, regaining your mind is a process. We all fail at one time or another. God knows our weakness; that is why He gave us 1 John 1:9. Just ask for forgiveness and see the Blood of Jesus washing away your sin. Don’t give up! Continue claiming what belongs to you (your mind and your thinking belong to you), and Jesus will help you overcome.

Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind!

God: The Source of Your Strength

The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. —Exodus 15:2

We need to be like Moses and the Israelites, whom we read about in the verse for today. I want to point out that God not only gave them strength (we see that throughout the Old Testament), but He Himself was their Strength. First Samuel 15:29 refers to God as “the Strength of Israel.” You see, there was a time when Israel knew God was their Strength, but then they forgot. When they forgot this vitally important truth, they always began to falter and fail as a nation, and their lives began to be destroyed. When they turned back to God as their Strength, things turned around for them.

Even if you know that God is your Strength, you still must receive it by faith. I begin every day by telling God that I cannot do anything apart from Him and that I lean entirely on Him to enable and strengthen me. He will strengthen us by speaking a word that encourages us or gives us direction when we need it. He will strengthen us by speaking words of wisdom and insight. He also strengthens us physically by giving us supernatural energy when we are tired or weary, and He gives us strength to endure difficult people and situations.

Trust God to be your Strength rather than trying to do things yourself. You may have a lot of people leaning on you and you can only help them as you lean and rely on God. Receive Him today by faith as the Strength of your life and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with ease.

How to Know You’re Hearing from God

Colossians 3:15 clearly tells us how. It says, And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds….

If you follow God’s leadership, you will have peace, joy, righteousness, and you’ll bear good fruit. What you won’t be is confused and frustrated.

God never leads us to busy ourselves so much that we’re stressed out all the time and have no joy. And He won’t try to confuse your mind—that’s the enemy’s job.

To find where your peace lies, simply ask yourself: Is there a scripture that applies to my situation? What does the Word say I should do?

For example, if there’s something you want to buy but you don’t have enough in your bank account to buy it, it’s probably best to wait because God doesn’t want us to be in debt (see Romans 13:8).

Many times, God’s Word sounds a lot like common sense. I encourage you to let the peace in your heart decide with finality every question that arises in your mind.

How to Obey God

First, make a commitment to obey His Word. In other words, anything you read in the Bible that tells you what to do or not to do—do that. If you don’t understand some of it, focus on the things you do understand first. Start with the clear instructions like, Forgive your enemies; pray for those who hurt you. And remember that even though the instructions are clear, you’re still going to have to be determined to do it. It may not be easy to forgive people who hurt you, but it’s actually a lot easier than being bitter and resentful your whole life. And remember that whatever God asks you to do, He will give you the ability to do it.

Second, obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit for your life. God doesn’t lead every individual in the same way. The Bible applies to everyone, but the Bible doesn’t give every detail of everything we need to do. That’s why we also need to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our heart.

My prayer is that this teaching is an encouragement to you. No matter how many things you need to work on, give them to God one by one and let Him do the work in you. As you step out and become more determined to obey Him, He will help you do what needs to be done. And not only will you experience more peace and joy, but your love for God will grow and grow

God’s Perfect Plan for your Life

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — II Peter 3:9

God doesn’t want anyone to experience permanent death (2 Peter 3:9). He loved us so much that He devised a plan to free us from the grasp of sin and provide forgiveness for all time.

In the Bible, John 3:16 says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Before time began, God has existed in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is no division between these three Persons. Though it’s difficult for us to understand, they are one God. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and He is also God.

So when the Bible says, “God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,” we see that God really gave Himself.

Because humanity failed to live according to God’s standard and had fallen into spiritual death, Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth to live as a man. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles. But the world rejected Him and crucified Him on a cross.

He died on that cross and was buried in a tomb, but three days later, He rose from the grave.

What the world didn’t realize was that dying on the cross was Jesus’ plan all along. Through His death and resurrection, He removed the barrier between humankind and God. Because He was also God, Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf so we could truly live.