Laying Our Lives Down for Others

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42 NKJV)

 

Have you ever had difficult defining moments in your life, when you just did not want to do something, but you knew it was essential for the fulfillment of God's purposes in your life?

At the beginning of our walk, it might mean laying down addictions or detrimental behaviors at the foot of the cross. As we progress, it may mean standing up to fallacious mindsets or overcoming our fear of man. We might experience this when we decide to share the gospel with someone, or to step out of our comfort zone doing things we are afraid to do.

Just as a husband lays down his life for his bride in a marriage, Jesus laid down His life for His bride.  As Christians we are to lay down our lives for others, so that they might experience the life of Christ more fully. 

This doesn't necessarily mean we do anything and everything others want us to.  It means submitting to godly leadership, yes.  But it means hearing the voice of God in our lives, receiving His instruction, and doing it. "But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do."  -James 1:25   It means making sacrifices and being uncomfortable so that others can experience life. 

John Maxwell said, "If we are growing we are always going to be outside our comfort zone." In fact, if we aren't experiencing some discomfort in our calling, it's likely we aren't very threatening to the kingdom of darkness.  

As Christians, we are responsible to serve and lay down our lives for those we are called to touch.  Are you willing to lay down your life?

Developing An Attitude of Boldness

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." -Philippians 1:20

I love Hayley Williams' attitude in the band Paramore. (Lead singer.) She's so flashy but so humble at the same time. She's an example of how we're called to live - a life of boldness using the gifts and talents God has given us, to glorify Him through our love and by our works.

Boldness, as defined by Webster, means "fearless before danger, : intrepid b: showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit." (Webster's online dictionary.) It doesn't mean prideful, brash, obnoxious, or arrogant. Boldness and humilty go hand in hand. Boldness encased in humilty knows why it is bold - because of the assurance of faith and complete salvation in Jesus Christ, that apart from Him, we are nothing.

It wasn't until a few years after my re-dedicating my life to Jesus that I realized that being timid was actually a character flaw. You can't be all that God has called you to be without being bold. God created all the color in the fish in the sea, the birds of the air, and all the rest of His creation. And we are called to be just as bold, just as bright, and perhaps step on a few toes in the process, (without compromising our faith).

The world needs us to be living examples of the color, life, and love of Jesus. Do you have the courage to live boldly?



http://bigbighousemorningshow.blogspot.com/2008/11/music-news-paramore.html

A Spirit-Fueled Life

“...and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”  -Luke 3:22

Pastor Dean Sweetman, senior pastor of Christian City Church Atlanta, wrote a book called “Direct Connect:  Understanding and Getting to Know the Holy Spirit.”  In this book he describes the “most misunderstood” person of the Trinity:  The Holy Spirit. 

He says of the Holy Spirit, “A vital relationship with the Holy Spirit is, without doubt, the most potent weapon any believer can have today.” (p. 7)

Many in the body of Christ believe that the infilling power of the Holy Spirit was just for New Testament times, for the purpose of birthing the church that exists today.  Some people even believe He is New Age!  However, this belief leaves Christians devoid of power.  It renders us helpless to minister the very thing that can change people’s lives:  The presence of the Holy Spirit. 

How can we live a Spirit-fueled life? Here are a few ideas:

• Hang out with others who have the Spirit working in their lives
• Go to services that teach about the Holy Spirit
• Spend alone time with God - worshipping & seeking Him

The Holy Spirit, God’s presence in our lives, is the oil that keeps us fueled.  Before Jesus began His ministry, He was filled with the Holy Spirit.  We cannot effectively minister to others without the Holy Spirit.

Are you a vessel that is filled with the Holy Spirit’s oil?  Make sure you are filled with God’s presence, so that you can be a reflection of His glory in your life. 

Having the Grace for It

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." -1 Corinthians 15:10

Have you ever noticed that some things are far easier when God is with us? "God is always with us," you may say, which is true, but have you ever noticed God's favor on some activities and not all activities? Have you ever done something you knew God wanted you to do? Likewise, have you ever done anything you knew God didn't want you to do?

Sometimes what God wants us to do is confirmed by several things in our lives: God's word, the agreement of other trusted people in our lives, God's peace, and, most noticeably, God's active grace accompanying us. We understand the "noun" of God's grace to be His undeserved gift of salvation. But, the Bible also talks about His grace being actively with us to help us accomplish His work on the earth (a verb).

We may be gifted or feel called to do something. But it may not be the season for it. This is discerning God's timing. We may want to step out into something, but notice that we don't feel a peace about it. Other times, we may feel at peace about something we are doing that leads to a godly goal, seems easy, and moves forward in spite of obstacles. In these situations, we work hard, do our best and also experience God's supernatural grace to accomplish the task at hand. It may seem silly, but this grace happens to me in the buying and selling of cars I've owned.

When it relates to God's active grace, we need to be careful we don't step out into something that God has not called us to, or given us the grace for. If we misinterpret our direction, desire to do our "own thing", or stay in something for too long (the grace has lifted) we could experience consequences. We need to be sensitive to God's Holy Spirit in the timing of all of these things.

Do you feel God's grace in what you are doing? Pray that God would show you and give you the grace to accomplish all you are called to. He says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:30