WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE

Do you remember your first new car?  Of course, we all do!  My first car was a navy blue Dodge Neon; it was my college graduation gift from my husband.  It was a precious gift to me, so I took very good care of it.  It had a “moon roof” in it; I would love to open it with my two oldest children in the car.  It was their favorite feature in the car; they loved to feel the wind on their faces.  When the “moon roof” was opened, my children would beg for their favorite music tape to play from Veggie Tales, so we could cruise around town.  Of, course we had our sunglasses on!   Now mind you my two oldest were fourteen months apart and less than the age of three when we had this car, so to keep the car clean was a challenge to say the least.  Also, I purchase two matching car seats with navy blue from Eddie Bauer for them, it just had to match.  When I think about those moments with Leah and Alex, it was truly precious times.  Nevertheless, it was very short lived in our navy blue Dodge Neon; it was very hard to get three babies in the car. Yes, you read this correctly, three children in car seats!  When Caleb, our new baby, was coming home from the hospital, it was a very snug fit.  It was hilarious to watch my husband try to get the whole family home from the hospital.  Obviously, it was time to “change” vehicles but I had a hard time with it, I wasn’t ready for the mini-van.  Although it’s what our family needed, it wasn’t the “vision” of style I had in mind.  It was time to change. 

 As this New Year has come, it’s easy to make New Year Resolutions or goals for what we desire to achieve for this coming year.  Nevertheless, as we face the disappointments or realize we didn’t meet all of last year’s goals, we can feel unsure of “change.”  If we desire to change our life, we have to change our ways.  Change begins with a decision to move in a different direction. Old ways will not open new doors! Yet, a heart fully committed to God, resting in His Word, and a steadfast trust will see God open doors no one else could open.

Change doesn’t always feel comfortable, it’s not the “normal” way we do things.  Sadly, so many churches don’t want to change with the move of the Spirit, so they can lose sight of His leading.  It’s very dangerous to desire “our ways” and not to follow the Word or the Spirit.  Change should be a normal way of live for a Spirit-filled believer.  We are to walk as Jesus walked! 

Acts 10:38 says, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.”   

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power for the purpose to bring healing and goodness to others!  Well, it’s the same promise for those who follow Christ.  When you study to find out what the word Christ means it is “anointed one.”  So, as followers of Christ we are able to rest in the promise found in Acts 10:38

• We are anointed by the Spirit with power 
• We are able to bring goodness and healing to those oppressed by the devil
•  God is with us!

So, many times we are hesitant to help or approach someone in need but we shouldn’t be afraid to help.  Change is a powerful testimony of what God did!  Also, what God is willing to do for anyone comes!

As I started to reflect upon change or new, I couldn’t help but remember this verse found in Romans 6:4, “We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too many walk in newness of life. 

 

So, how are you walking?  What’s going on in life that’s tripping you up?  Or did you forget the power of God within you?  Sometimes we can get so heavy laden with cares; we forget how precious we are to the Father.  Maybe life has been difficult or you made some wrong decisions along the way.  What I have learned grace offers a different way!  Change isn’t difficult as long as you have the support you need-God is with you!  God changes us for His glory so we can reflect the Son!

What changes are you wrestling with?  What would you love to change about yourself?  We can change our hair, our appearance, some bad habits but we can’t change our heart.  Only God can make this change!  So, if you truly want a new life!  Come to Jesus! 

Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give  you a heart of flesh.."I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Our lives will never change unless we are willing to walk in a new direction!  So, whatever you want to change about your life: believe it can happen!  God still does miracles and changes lives; it’s what the cross is all about.

Free From Accusation

As I stare at a blank sheet of paper it’s truly brought a moment of inspiration.  Usually as I stare at a blank sheet of paper it’s due to writers block, what to write?  Or what can I write to touch the hearts of those who really need to hear from the Lord?  As those thoughts enter my mind, I keep hearing part of this verse over and over again, “Free from accusation” it’s a powerful thought.  Yet, it should be more than a powerful thought; it should be the statement or declaration of the born-again believer. 

Free From Accusation

We all have experienced being false accused or gossiped in our lives.  It’s not a popular moment we want to share or discuss with others.  Especially if some of those accusations are true in our past, we know what we have done.  Did we “really” do that?  Or did that really happen?  How can we look at ourselves in the mirror?  Or how do reach for goals or believe for God’s best in our lives?  It’s all about the cross.  Although we understand this to be the center of our faith for eternity, do we understand the power of the cross?  If you don’t understand the power of the cross; you will never walk secure in life.  If you are walking still in guilt and shame after truly repenting of your sins; you are not walking in truth but condemnation.  Christ didn’t come into the world to condemn us but to redeem us from sin. (John 3:16-17)  Yet, the accuser of the brethren desires to destroy your life with half-truth or accusations.

     When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden they lived without shame, according to scripture “they were naked and felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:25)  Keep in mind, we were created in the likeness of God, so what does this mean?  We were created without sin, holy, blameless, and for good.  Adam and Eve didn’t know what sin was or the definition; it wasn’t something they were familiar with.  Satan said to Eve, “You will BE LIKE God knowing good and evil.”  What is wrong with those statement two things: First, we were created in the likeness of God, so how more “like God” could we be in the garden?  Second, God isn’t evil, so how could He be evil?  God is love.  God is good.  God is holy.  It was a half-truth of Satan’s deception that led Eve to destruction to her soul and her life.  Sin brought destruction to Eve’s life; it was very costly.  Eve lost her home, her security, and relationships with her husband and God.  Sin has a price tag!  Yet, the cross paid the enormous price to make us free from accusation, shame, and guilt! 

     Before I started typing this blog, the page was blank with no words.  It was waiting to be filled with the words from my heart.  Blank, empty, and it was waiting to be filled with what I wrote on the page.  Waiting for words, so powerful I can touch the heart of who is reading it.  It’s not only an honor but a responsibility to those who read it.  Nevertheless, what’s so alarming is the “words” we believe about ourselves.  Words we have heard others speak, Satan’s accusations or our own self-talk in our lives?  So, how do you see yourself?  A deeper question to ask is how does God see you?  Oh, I am sure we have shuttered at times with this thought or believe God only sees our sin?  The power of cross will make us realize we are a sinner, no one is righteous.  It’s only through the power of the cross, we are restored-made righteous before God.  God doesn’t see your past; He sees potential of what He can do with your life. 

     As I was reading the account of Genesis again, I was truly touched about an important fact.  When was Eve named in scripture?  Was it before the fall or after?  Also who named her?  It’s quite interesting and very powerful to meditate on; she was named AFTER the fall.  Adam was able to name her Eve, the mother of all living, after the fall.  One moment Adam is blaming her to God, the next he is speaking truth or life about her.  Why?  He saw her through the eyes of grace, God’s design.  She was created for life, a life to bring glory to God.  After the fall account, scripture doesn’t ever mention this event again nor does God bring up Eve’s horrible sin again.  So if God never accused her again, why would He accuse you? God never will accuse, it’s not a language He speaks. 

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-Colossians 1:22

     So, what words are you using to describe yourself?  Does it match what God says about you?  If not, it’s time to erase those damaging words with truth.  It’s time to kick the devil in the teeth, so he can’t speak anymore into your ear.  The cross made a public display of him, destroyed all of his power, so you can walk free from accusations-the blood of Christ sealed the deal.

"When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." Colossians 2:13-15

Do you understand what Christ has done for YOU?  He made you alive with Him!  He forgave all your sins, canceled the debt completely!  He took it all away by nailing it to the cross!  He paid YOUR debt!  Also, He disarmed the rulers and authorities so nothing could prevent your growth or life!  Through the cross you are triumphant!  The cross proves your are victorious because the price was paid in full.