Seeing Ourselves New

Change, as the saying goes, is difficult sometimes.  There are times in our lives when we welcome change, but it's still hard.  When moving from student to worker, it's hard to get used to the new schedule and working EVERY day (even in the summer!!). There's a transition when going from dating, to engaged, to married that takes time for both people to adjust.  Going from being totally independent to being a couple isn't always easy.

This transition is true in our discipleship.  When we accept Christ as Savior AND Lord, we accept the guarantee of eternal salvation, and His Lordship over our lives.  We start a walk of submitting our own will, desires, goals and objectives to His.  Sometimes, they are the same.  Sometimes, they are quite different.  The growth in accepting Him as Lord is bending toward Him when we differ.  And it can be difficult, especially at first.

The Book of Hosea has many stark lessons about transition.  A Godly prophet was directed by God to take the known harlot, Gomer, as his wife. Not long after they married, Gomer went back to the lifestyle she had before she was a wife.  Her title had changed, but she didn't see herself any different than before.

Far too often, that fits our walk in Christ.  We accept Him, we get excited about serving Him, but eventually, we fall back into the habits and lifestyle we led before we came to Christ.  Change is, after all, difficult.

We have to come to a point of recognition not only of who Christ is, but who we are in Him.  Athletes and successful business people talk about visualization often.  They offer that you have to see yourself as successful in order to reach a level of success.  It's a true principle that applies spiritually as well as physically.

If we always see ourselves are unworthy sinners, we never aspire beyond that point.  It becomes to easy to remain in the familiar.  Recognizing sin isn't the same as living in it.   Jesus said we are new creatures when we are born again.  We are called joint heirs with Christ, His Bride.

Once we accept the name, we need to move to accept the role...the position.  When a couple marries, they are no longer girlfriends or boyfriends but spouses....husband and wife.  They are a family within themselves, with or without children.  A whole new entity that didn't exist until they came together and offered vows before God.  Now, the challenge is to bring the behavior and lifestyle to match the titles. 

As we accept Christ, we become part of the Bride of Christ.  We are no longer our own, but His.  And He is ours.  The passage below shares where Hosea confronts Gomer in her wanderings.  God uses the comparison that He is no longer Baali - or 'my lord' but Ishi - 'husband' or 'champion'.  This is the intimate level where God wants us to be.  He already sees Himself.  The challenge is for us to accept Him and ourselves at that level.

Lay down the past.  Embrace the gift of the the present...the relationship...the fellowship.  It's time to see ourselves new.

Hosea 2:14-20

¹⁴ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

¹⁵ And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

¹⁶ And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

¹⁷ For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

¹⁸ And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

¹⁹ And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

²⁰ I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.

Peace and acceptance to you today.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com

Blood Relation

Ephesians 1:6

King James Version (KJV)

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Blood Relation

I have the great fortune of working with a group that facilitates the adoption of children who have been neglected or abandoned by their biological parents.  Regardless of the cause of why a child is available to adopt, what's most important is that they are adopted.  Children raised in loving, supportive families do better than those who remain in abusive families, who are in foster care or who are turned out to care for themselves before they are capable of doing so.  That's not opinion, that's science.

It doesn't matter if adoptive parents are different races than the child or have a different cultural experience. It doesn't matter if the adoptive parent is single or married.  Age of the parents doesn't matter. Financial status doesn't matter. If the home the parent or parents provides is loving, stable, and supportive, the child thrives.  And adoptive children welcomed into these loving, stable, supportive homes thrive at the same levels of any other biological children that might be in the house.

I'd like to tell you about a specific adoptive Parent.  The ultimate Parent.  He has provided a loving, stable home for all of us that is furnished and equipped with everything each of us needs, specifically.  He is so deeply committed to the process of adopting all of us, that He provided not just paperwork, but the process by which we could be considered blood relatives, in case anyone had an issue with our adoption - He met the demands of a blood sacrifice by offering His only begotten Son.

We are, in fact, Blood Relations to Christ.  We were adopted into the family of God through Jesus' sacrifice.  That adoption was secured long before we accepted it.  Refusing it, not believing it, not accepting it doesn't change that fact that 'it' is...what does change is when we receive it.

If someone set up an unlimited bank account in my name, and I refused to use it, it doesn't change the fact that the account is mine.  I'm just foolish for not accepting the gift and operating with it's resources.

This is true of Salvation.  The price has already been paid.  We are already forgiven and already accepted of God.  Our only responsibility in that arrangement is accepting it.  And, like the bank example above, we're basically foolish for leaving eternal salvation on the table unaccepted.

I know we've chatted about this before, but sometimes I think it's important to go back to the basics of this walk in Christ.  The simple truth of being loved and accepted of God can get lost in the confusions and challenges of life.  Touching back can help eliminate noise and stuff that can get in the way.

So, today, tomorrow, and whenever you need it, know that you are loved.  You were adopted in to the Family of God through His Son, Jesus Christ and established as a full son...not a servant....not a second level relative.  You've been adopted into the most loving, most supportive, most stable home available.  So, thrive.

Ephesians 1:1-12

King James Version (KJV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Glory to God!

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com

Only What You Do for Christ....

Matthew 1:5

⁵ And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Only What you Do for Christ

Rahab (or Rachab as she's mentioned in Matthew 1) was not a Hebrewess by birth.  She was living in the city of Jericho when she provided protection to the spying team from the Nation of Israel.  She was what we would call a 'working girl' in Jericho who lived on the wall with her family.

Now, the Bible mentions her profession while she lived in Jericho.  It talks about who in the city knew of her.  But, in the passage above, she's remember in the lineage of Christ.  In James and in Hebrews, she's remembered for what she did for the spies and ultimately the Hebrew people.  Oh her previous job gets mentioned, but it is what she did for the people of God that gets remembered.

This is what stood out for me when we were doing a study of notable women in the Bible for a recent Tea sponsored by our Mother's Board.  I had always heard the phrase 'only what you do for God will last' but I had internalized it differently.  I always thought that it meant the things we consciously do 'for God' (like we could do anything 'for' God).  But it's bigger. 

There are things that we all have in our past and even in our present that we're not too proud of, especially when we're walking as disciples.  We meet and sometimes succumb to challenges.  We sow weeds in our gardens intended for good seed.  These things matter and will of course have an impact, but it is what we do with a willing heart toward Christ the REALLY matters.

When we let the Holy Spirit have His way through us, when we yield our will toward Christ and away from our own selfish desires, we put ourselves in a position to be part of Kingdom Building.  Whether we are sharing a Word of Wisdom, or completing some mundane, administrative task, when it is an act of obedience it will last.  And it will prove to be an important part of the overall plan of God.

None of that other stuff matters.  Only what we do for Christ matters.  So, today, and everyday, make the day matter.

Oft said, and always true:

Romans 8:28

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com

Shifting Focus

Psalm 121

121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

² My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

³ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

⁴ Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

⁶ The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

⁸ The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Shifting Focus

There is a tenet about the Christian walk that is true whether we met Jesus for the first time yesterday or if we've been walking in 'The Way' for decades...there is an enemy and it is his job to keep us distracted from our work in Christ. If he can't keep us from restoration, he wants to make sure that we are as ineffective as possible in our callings.  That's his job.  It's his only job and he's dedicated to it.

We can spend alot of energy battling the imps and demons that are put in our path.  What we have to realize is that engaging in the battle can be as destructive as the arrows and fiery darts he throws.  Truth is, regardless if the battle is something from the outside, or something from within, that's not our battle.  That's the Lord's.

Too often, we can get caught up on the wrong side of wanting to be righteous.  It is important to recognize that we have shortcomings in our walk in Christ and that we will live down to those shortcomings from time to time.  But as tempting as it is to wallow in the self pity that often follows one of those experiences, we have to resist and focus back on Christ.  I know if feels like humility, but more times than not its just plain old guilt that we're really feeling.  And guilt can be just as distracting as an unplanned attack.

Regardless the circumstance, we need to focus on Christ.  Not our own abilities, or inabilities...not our situation...not even the facts of the matter.  We need to focus on truth and the truth of God.  This is how we resist the enemy and this is how we transform by renewing our mind.  It isn't always easy, but it is always fruitful.

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, Peter asked if he could come out.  Jesus told him to come and Peter stepped out of the boat on to the water.  The storm didn't change.  The water didn't change.  But Peter was focused on the Master and was overcoming the 'facts' that were all around him.  When he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the 'facts', Peter changed.  He stopped overcoming and became overcome.

Bills, children, parents, jobs, sicknesses, bad habits, co-workers; there are many different things in our daily lives that can give us a whole litany of facts that should set our heads spinning.  The truth however is calming and will keep us at perfect peace.

I'm not suggesting that we ignore what's going on.  Only that in the midst of it all, focus on Christ.  That's where the peace is.  That's the answer to the question. He is the path away from what's destructive in our lives and the path to provision.

Let the fire rage.  Keep your eyes, your mind, your focus on Christ.  He'll either squelch it, lead you out of it, or join you in it.  Regardless, it will not consume you as long as you let Him consume you first.

Matthew 14:25-31

²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

²⁶ And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

²⁸ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Philippians 4:8

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Peace.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com