Who AM I In Christ?

Ever struggle with doubts and nagging thoughts that tell you negative things about yourself? If you do, what do you do next? Do you believe the lies of the enemy, or do you claim the truth about who you are as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ? Let's look at the truth. (There are many verses I could have used, but I chose just a few.)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 NKJV

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 NKJV

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV

"Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him," Colossians 3:9-10 NKJV

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:29 NKJV

We have the privilege of being the living temple of the Living God. Wherever we live, whoever we are, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, He dwells within us. These are the truths and promises you can trust. When there is a voice or person telling you untruths, claim these promises and release the negative words. Train yourself to focus on the truth, no matter how loud the voice of lies are.

I strongly recommend you take these verses and memorize them, hiding them in your heart so when the poison darts of the enemy are launched against you, your shield of truth will be able to extinguish them. We need to know who we are in Christ. His promises are there for us. What He has promised, He will fulfill.


If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, yet you would like to accept His gift of salvation, there is no better time than now to do that. If you would like to, click on this link http://promisesforall.blogspot.com/2010/09/greatest-promise.html to go to one of my earlier posts that will lead you through the steps to a personal relationship with Christ. After reading it, take the time to pray through the steps simply. You do not need to use big words. The only requirements are to admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior, accept the work Jesus did-dying on the cross in your place-believing him, and commit your life to Jesus, asking Him to guide and direct your life.

May God bless you abundantly. May He guide you as you grow stronger and deeper in the Word of God. Trust who He says you are.

A Giving New Year

I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas season. There is something very special about Christmas, the birth of our Savior. It is celebrated for a month, rather than simply a day. However, I want you to consider this celebration to last for the whole year rather than just for a season. What a wonderful gift we have been given, the promise of eternal life for all who will trust in the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior and give their heart to Him, believe in Him, and commit their life to Him. This is not just a promise at Christmas, but for each and every day.

Throughout the past month, I blogged about giving Jesus a gift for Christmas. What did you give Him? If you haven't given to Him yet, it is not too late. Decide now and give. Sometimes when we think of tithing (giving 10%), we only consider our money. However, what if we were to tithe our time too? What if we gave to God's people of our time and resources-money and all we have? Would the face of this earth be changed? What if we gave forgiveness, love, compassion...? What if we truly began to give of ourselves without thinking about what we would receive in return?

2012 can be a totally different year from the rest. This can be a year of giving. This can be a year of selflessness, being polite, and a year of radical Christianity. What if we would start to love like Jesus? What if we took His example and truly began to live like Him?

I challenge you to live a life of giving and trusting the Lord. Give it all to Him and ask Him what to do with it. He owns it all, we are only entrusted with whatever we have for a time. When we are gone, we cannot take it with us. May God bless you for your obedience and faith.

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,"

Says the LORD of hosts,

"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you much blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it."

Malachi 3:10 NKJV

Unlikely Messengers

We are quickly approaching the celebration of the birth of the Lord and Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. The days are quickly rolling by and most people are completing last minute shopping, cooking, cleaning and visiting. During this time, I encourage you to take your Bible and find a nice, quiet place. Open your Bible to Luke chapter 2 and read through the Christmas story carefully and prayerfully, asking God to reveal His truths to your heart.

In studying verses 8-18, I can picture this story unfolding. The angel appearing in the night sky, the shepherds frightened within an inch of their lives, then the awe they must have experienced as a whole host of angels sang praises to welcome and announce the birth of a long-awaited Savior. Amazing grace!

Meditating on these verses I realize the shepherds were not the most likely people for God to use-at least in the mind of many. Shepherds were lowly people, not those born of royalty or status. Just meek and humble men trying to earn a living to raise their families. Yet God chose to reveal the Messiah's birth to them first.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29, states it well, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." NKJV

Do you ever wonder if God can use you? Do you think you are not good enough, smart enough, thin enough, pretty enough, fill in the blank? Realize that God can use you. When He calls, He equips. No, you can not do it on your own, but with God, nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37). There is nothing He cannot accomplish, and no one is out of His reach. I love this promise from God. Trust me. I am no one special. I praise Him and thank Him for salvation and life. He is my All Sufficient Father. Trust Him with your life and make Him yours today. Allow Him to use you as one of His "unlikely messengers".

May God richly bless you and be near you this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.
Natalie

Reflective Preparation

In this the third week of Advent, it is my prayer that Christians everywhere take the time to reflect on their purpose for celebrating Christmas. In this time of reflection - which I also am taking part in - we can ask ourselves many questions. Some of which may be:

1. Who is the person (or people) I focus on the most in this season?
2. What is the greatest gift I have ever received and why?
3. What is the greatest gift I have ever given and why?
4. Who is on my guest list this year and does it include Jesus?
5. Is the nativity scene-that is probably part of your decorations-central to your celebration or just a religious symbol?
6. Is my heart right with Jesus?
7. What gift have I chosen to give Jesus this season and all year long?

These are just a few questions we can take some time to consider. When we do, we bring the focus away from the bobbles and fancy lights, tasty food, gifts, and many things that keep us from our true focus of CHRISTmas.

I pray you take the time to read Luke chapter 2, seeking Him. Don't just read it through, but experience it. Put yourself in the Story. For those of you who know it word for word, try to read it in another translation so it might be fresh reading, a way for God to truly get your attention, rather than just skimming it over. Soak up the truths and the promise of our Savior. The love He showers us with is incredible. As undeserved as it is, He continues to seek us out, draw us to Him and forgive us that we may be near to Him.

What an incredible God we serve! May this week and the days leading up to Christmas be a time of quiet, reflective preparation in your home and in your heart. May Jesus Christ be central as you celebrate CHRISTmas.

A Gift for the World

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

We are now into the second week of Advent. The days continue to quickly slide by and the countdown to Christmas is on. The more I read and study my Bible this Christmas season, the more in awe I am of God's great love for us. That He would send His One and Only Son to this earth to live and then die for our sins...

I love this Scripture. The description of who this Baby would be is absolutely amazing. To think of Christ being born in a stable, not a nice barn as most of us in North America are accustomed to, but in a cave: dirty, dingy, dark, and dank.  It is very humbling. What a place for the Savior of the world to be born! Yet, Scripture reveals the truth to us (Luke 2:7).

As we stroll-or run-through the days leading up to Christmas, may we remember it's not about the gifts or the toys, the gadgets or the food; Christmas is about the gift of our One and Only Savior of the world, coming to us as a babe, growing into a man who would give His life for us. Let's make it personal. He gave His life for you. If you were the only person, He still would have given His life for you. He loves you, dear one.

He is extending His hand to you right now. Will you hold on and give Him your heart, your all? Will you allow Him to be your Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? When you think of Jesus, don't leave Him in the manger as a helpless babe. He is alive. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for you and for me (Hebrews 1). Remember whose birthday we are celebrating. Have you figured out what gift you will give Jesus this year?

What Will You Do?

Yesterday marked the beginning of the 2011 Advent season. As we step into this time of year, many of us are filled with thoughts wondering what to get each person on our Christmas lists. There are children and parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, coworkers and aquaintances. The list goes on and on.

Last week, as I prepared my Sunday School lesson, the question that rolled around in my mind was one that struck me in a profound sort of way and is still on my mind. What will I do for Jesus this Christmas season? We are-in fact-celebrating His birthday. His gift should be the one to be most concerned with. Thinking on this question, I look at myself and think about what I have to offer Him. He has given me abundant life and promises too numerous to mention here in a few words. Anything I can think of seems to come up short. However, as I search my heart and pray for guidance, I trust He will help me to know what it is I should give Him.

Have you considered this question before? Maybe, this question is one you focus on each year. If not, maybe you would like to think about it. In the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, let's not forget the wonderful, blessed gift of Jesus we have all been given. May we remember the true meaning of this holiday is not gifts, but the giving of life from our Savior, Jesus Christ to each and every person who will call on His name to be saved (John 3:16-17).

So my question for you is this: what will you give (or do for) Jesus this Christmas?