703. Born Identity: You Are Sanctified
Don’t Be Swayed By Other People’s Opinions Of You
Something very interesting happened to me in the past 7 hours and I’ve got to tell you about it. This is going to encourage you! Last night, right before I went to bed, I happened to come upon a negative review of my audiobook titled, “I Tried Until I Almost Died.” This lady was slamming […]
701. Born Identity: You Have Been Perfected
We borrowed the last part above from our friends at The Grace Cafe Podcast, and we mentioned them on this podcast. We recommend that you give them a listen!
You Have Authority In The Name Of Jesus
This past Sunday we watched The Chronicles of Narnia; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at a youth event at our church. What a great movie! Colossians 1:11-23 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May […]
700. Podcast 700 – Growing in Grace Highlights
“Teenagers, What I Want You to Know”
There are so many things that I want to tell young people. That time in life when you are searching for meaning, looking for your place, trying to fit in. If you will give me your ear, I promise I will not judge. Here are a few suggestions that may make the journey a little less painful.
1. Pain is normal. Everyone feels it. Don’t run from pain, lean into it and allow yourself to take shape. Life is a series of ups and downs, without the downs you wouldn’t appreciate the ups and it’s the ride that will color your life and make you strong. This idea that you are the only one feeling what your feeling is common. Those feelings are very real and in some cases frightening, it’s ok. You are not in this fight alone. It is in these times that you reach beyond yourself, beyond your reasoning and your age to something higher. It’s now that you begin to lean on and trust your creator. God equipped you with everything you need and even when you can’t see it or feel it, trust Him. He has got you, just trust Him. Tell Him you trust Him, give the pain to Him, give the confusion, the heartache, the fear to Him and trust that He has you.
2. You will make mistakes, it’s a part of the growing process. No one on the planet can do it all right. Be willing to acknowledge your need for help. There is nothing shameful or weak in needing help with things. Anyone that tells you that you shouldn’t ask questions and get help is doing damage, don’t listen, don’t be a part of the lie. It is this very willingness to admit your weakness that brings you your greatest strength. When you are weak He is strong. God isn’t afraid of your weakness, He knows you are imperfect, He is cool with that. He made you so you will trust Him, not so you will do it all yourself. Trust Him and at the same time allow others to be used by Him to help you.
3. Your identity is not found in labels. No matter what label you have been given, whether good or bad, whether positive or negative. You may be gifted and talented, you may have ADHD, you may be athletic, you may be musical, and you may have no idea at all what you are. These things do not identify you. What identifies you comes from where you get your life. As a believer your life is not music, athletics, sexuality, diagnosis, these are not your life. These are things your life deals with, but who you are is who Christ is. Who you are is loved, forgiven, new and right, just to name a few. In fact, Christ is your life. Recognize that, acknowledge that and the labels and the diagnosis are just a part of your journey. Enjoy the journey, but don’t mistake those things for your life. Someday the athletics will end, the talent will fade, the diagnosis will not be such a burden, but Christ will always be your life, allow Him to live through you.
4. If you are in a situation and something doesn’t feel right, listen to that and act on it. Trust your heart. Listen to the still small voice in your heart and allow it to guide you. It will save you from mistakes, hurt and disappointment. Listen to those who have had this journey already, people like your grandparents. Respect their knowledge and their years. They may have different views than you, but try and see the world through their eyes. You don’t have to agree, but listen, respect and give them your time. Theirs is limited.
5. Finally, when you are laying in your bed at night with the lights out and your eyes closed, think about Christ life moving through your hormones and your veins. See His light transforming you, see yourself swimming around in it. Drink it in. Try and imagine the depth of the love that He has for you, with no regard for faults, or labels. Accept that love, see yourself running in a wide-open field of it. Then wake up knowing that His life is your life, His strength is your strength, His peace is your peace, His mind is your mind and go conquer the day!
Wynema I Clark – 4/24/2017
Beyond Resurrection
Resurrection Sunday is by far the most dynamic day of the year for the Christian. All the hopes of humanity are fulfilled in the power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is so much more than a doctrine. The resurrection declares that a new creation has begun within the old creation, and the possibilities of transformation are mind-boggling.
If (since) Jesus is really raised from the dead, and we are given his life (the eternal kind of life), then we know we shall forever live with him. But there is more. We share the power that raised Jesus from the dead. The ramifications of that are limitless.
His Power for Those Who Believe
The apostle Paul prayed “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints. And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:18-20 NRSV)
The same power that raised Jesus is in us who believe. It enables us to say "no" to the lures of sin, to forgive the offender, to love the undeserving, to lay our lives down promoting God's great redemption, to rejoice always, to believe against great odds, to walk on with hope when darkness seems to prevail, to sing through tears, to stand alone for the gospel, and to bless those who curse us.
It is truly supernatural. But we must acknowledge that the resurrection introduced a new kind of creation to the world. Those who share the resurrected life of Jesus are characterized by transformation. Their stories reveal drastic change.
Without shame, they own their desperation while embracing his gracious intervention. They know that they cannot live by the powers of their own personality. They need the "other worldly" power they receive from him. They expect that power to enable them to express an "other worldly" kind of love that never fails, though it is often working behind the scenes.
They also expect the Father to answer their prayers according to that same power. They are not praying to simply relieve stress. It is not self-talk. They are aware that they are partners with God in getting his purpose done on earth, and that they are privileged to pray while he is delighted to answer.
Living By His Power
Truly celebrating Resurrection Day includes living each day considering the glorious explosion of power demonstrated that day. Each day is an opportunity to see that power again. Our needs are inviting us to enter the realm of resurrection-living. We don't have to wait until next Easter to celebrate resurrection. We live by the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>
The post Beyond Resurrection appeared first on The Stream.
Beyond Resurrection
Resurrection Sunday is by far the most dynamic day of the year for the Christian. All the hopes of humanity are fulfilled in the power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is so much more than a doctrine. The resurrection declares that a new creation has begun within the old creation, and the possibilities of transformation are mind-boggling.
If (since) Jesus is really raised from the dead, and we are given his life (the eternal kind of life), then we know we shall forever live with him. But there is more. We share the power that raised Jesus from the dead. The ramifications of that are limitless.
His Power for Those Who Believe
The apostle Paul prayed “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints. And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:18-20 NRSV)
The same power that raised Jesus is in us who believe. It enables us to say "no" to the lures of sin, to forgive the offender, to love the undeserving, to lay our lives down promoting God's great redemption, to rejoice always, to believe against great odds, to walk on with hope when darkness seems to prevail, to sing through tears, to stand alone for the gospel, and to bless those who curse us.
It is truly supernatural. But we must acknowledge that the resurrection introduced a new kind of creation to the world. Those who share the resurrected life of Jesus are characterized by transformation. Their stories reveal drastic change.
Without shame, they own their desperation while embracing his gracious intervention. They know that they cannot live by the powers of their own personality. They need the "other worldly" power they receive from him. They expect that power to enable them to express an "other worldly" kind of love that never fails, though it is often working behind the scenes.
They also expect the Father to answer their prayers according to that same power. They are not praying to simply relieve stress. It is not self-talk. They are aware that they are partners with God in getting his purpose done on earth, and that they are privileged to pray while he is delighted to answer.
Living By His Power
Truly celebrating Resurrection Day includes living each day considering the glorious explosion of power demonstrated that day. Each day is an opportunity to see that power again. Our needs are inviting us to enter the realm of resurrection-living. We don't have to wait until next Easter to celebrate resurrection. We live by the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>
699. Our Life Is Not Found in the Bible
698. Is it “Biblical”? (Part 2)
Just Say “Here I Am, Lord…Send Me!”
Here I Am, Lord…Send Me! What a great thing to tell Jesus! There are so many ways God can send you into other people’s lives, working in and through you to help them. That’s why I often talk about how important it is that we don’t limit God or put Him in a box! Even […]
697. Is it “Biblical”? (Part 1)
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- …
- 38
- Next Page »