aliens + strangers

I live in the world but I am not OF the world. I am a stranger, an alien among this world. I don't belong here. As a Christian, I am called to live in a way that points  to God.

The moment I professed Jesus as my Savior, God could have chosen to take me home to be with Him eternally. He desired another way: for me to live here, to be a testimony for Him in this life here on earth.

As I move, walk, talk, behave, I need to remember everything is meant to illustrate that I belong to God.

I am an alien and a stranger. When I feel I don't "fit in" or belong, I need to rejoice in that fact because that means I am living in the way God desires me to live.

the road to repentance

I will give an account to God (Romans 14:12)

What I do in my life may not have physical consequences. However, everything I do, say, and how I act God sees. On the day I give an account to God, I must give an explanation of my actions.

 When I live in a way that brings God grief, I must have godly sorrow which leads to repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

 

Having a Godly sorrow means realizing the true wicked and evil nature of my sin. Since I have a realistic view of my sin, as God looks at it; I have a need to confess my sin (leading to repentance). And when I confess my sin to God, I don't need to regret not repenting. The road to repentance leads me into a closer and deeper relationship with God. In contrast, "worldly" sorrow is just a view of sin that instead of truly seeing sin in the way God does, I am focused solely on consequences.

 

I must carefully discern the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow because only one leads to a truly changed life.

           

a God fearing life

Galatians 5:24 states, "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passion and desires."

 

The main idea of this verse is people who have Jesus in their hearts are no longer slaves to sin. Their old ways have died.

 

In the following chapter, Galatians 6:8 says, "the one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

This verse is essentially saying that if Christians lived to please anything (or everything) except God, the path would lead toward destruction.

 

Living to please the Spirit instead of earthly desires will reap eternal life. A God honoring (God fearing) life is not always easy but is ALL worth it in the end.

 

focusing my attention

Colossians 3:1 states, “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” My old self died with Christ. Therefore, I need to focus my attention on things that have eternal value. I can focus my attention several ways. First, I can pray. This leads to thanksgiving and intimacy with God. Second, keeping a prayer journal forces me to slow down and evaluate where I am in my relationship with Him. Next, spending time studying His word focuses my attention. Finally, while I study His word, writing down what I feel God is teaching me leads to attention of eternal value.  

Focusing my attention on God leads to a feeling of encouragement which leads me to press on in knowing Him.

intentional growth

One thing I learned while being a student at IWU was to be intentional about growth.

Becoming intimate with God is always my responsibility and I need to acknowledge that every day. I make choices that affect the relationship I have with God. I either draw near to Him or I push Him away without recognizing that I am even doing it.

That needs to change.

Every moment that I spend reading His word and meditating on what it says, I am building a habit of being intentional about growth.

Discipline is not easy to develop rather it takes time and effort. I want and desire my relationship with God to be deep and intimate which doesn't happen magically.

I must be intentional about devotions, journaling, and praying. With time, I build up an intimate relationship with God that affects my whole life. And this question dominates my life: when does God not want to be intimate with me?

In the core of who I am there is a cry for intimacy with Him that far outweighs everything else. And when I am intentional about spending time with Him, that brings glory to Him which satisfies my soul.

10 valid needs of people: security + support

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.- Romans 12:16, 18

Harmony is crucial as we live, move, and survive with one another. Pride leads to destruction in relationships. God commands us to live with those who are in lower position than us. Also conceit needs to be far from us.

Peace, harmony, and humility in our relationships leads to security in relationships.

Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

Burdens weigh us down and keep us growth and maturity. As members of one household (God's) we are commanded to let go of what brings us down and keeps us from intimacy with God. And when we help carry what loads others down, we are offering support to one another.