Resurrection!

I am not a nothing. I am not small, diminished and unimportant. That insignificant me died. Wanna know the really awesome thing about death? Resurrection! I am ALIVE! I died so that I can have a freaking awesome and amazing resurrected life with the glory of Christ glowing through all the uniqueness of my personality! Yeah. That's Christianity. Not me getting out of the way, but Christ creating a better me and living through me. Us together in living unity!

Romans 6:6 For if we have been planted together in the likeness
of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also
yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who
hath raised him from the dead.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

I am not waiting for resurrection, I am resurrected -- as Christ died, I died; as Christ resurrected, I resurrected. And this new life is supercharged! Look at Ephesians 2:

At salvation we were 'quickened' which means "made alive together."

At salvation we were 'raised up' to sit in heavenly places, which means "to raise up together from mortal death to a new and blessed life dedicated to God"

Interestingly, this Greek word (synegeirō) for 'raised up' is the same word used in Col 2:12 and 3:1, so it clearly refers to THE resurrection life.

Paul doesn't just say this is something we will have 'some day,' he makes it clear that it is a spiritual reality NOW. We are resurrected.

I am not only resurrected, I am a brand new creation.

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is
a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The old me died, I was resurrected as a new me with the life of Christ as my very breath. I think one of my favorite verses is Galatians 2:20 which says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Seriously, this whole life is no longer the old, insignificant, messed up me. It's the brand new, alive me. Paul says he is crucified, but he's ALIVE cuz JESUS is alive in him (It would be wrong to say "I no longer exist, because Paul clearly refutes that thought here, and that would leave us with a bunch of Christians with identical personalities, likes, dislikes, temperaments, etc. Kinda weird doctrine there!). So, I'm a brand new, God-creation and the alive thing about me is Jesus and the new-creation me.

OK, how do I say this clearly... All of my personality traits, my temperament, my gifts, talents, etc. Everything that makes me the person that God created me to be is now FREE to shine out PURELY and beautifully the way he intended, all to the glory of God! I can stop fretting about screwing up this Christian life, because he has taken care of it all! He has already made it so I can't screw it up. It's all him now. It's all him and the real me. The true me. The perfect awesome me. He has made me whole and new and amazing, and he did it all at the moment of salvation!

WOW!

So why is it that as Christians we are constantly putting ourselves down and ragging on our imperfections? Why do we think God needs us out of the way so he can do his work? He chose us, he loves us, he indwells us, he recreated us in his image and we are no longer in that fallen mess that we used to be, we are perfected in Him, and we are ALIVE! Do you realize how empowering that is? God has made us "meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Col 1:12) and has reconciled us to himself in order "to present [us] holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (Col 1:22)"

Good stuff! We aren't nothing. Hear that voice in your head? Don't listen to it! Oh, and by the way... this is another blog entirely, but you weren't a nothing before salvation either. Everyone is significant. John 3:16 FOR GOD SO LOVED.... :)

Abundant Life

January 16, 2008

Abundant Life:

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy^: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

What is life more abundant? Is it a life of spiritual blessing? Is it a life of joy? Is it a life of material blessings? Is it all of these? To learn anything, one must let the Bible define itself… so what does the Bible say of this word Abundant?

Abundantly - From G4012 (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication excessive; adverb (with G1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence:—exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement [-ly].

Abundant - Comparative of G4053; more superabundant (in number, degree or character):—more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.

This doesn't tell us in what way it will be abundant, but it tells us that it's going to be AMAZING! This is a life that is something to talk about! Something to shout from the rooftops. Something that is so fabulous that we just have to share our secret with others because it's the best lifestyle available. Look at those describing words of our Christ-following life; would you say that you are living a life beyond measure? A life of advantage? A superfluous exceedingly vehement and excessively preeminent lifestyle? ;0) A life that is greater than all those around you who do not know the Saviour? Well, you should be living one just like that, because that's what Christ came to give you.

Now, lets look at some of the ways that abundant and abundantly are used in Scripture.

Food and other Material goods:

I Chron 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

II Chron 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

Ps. 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Ps. 132 :15 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Song of Songs 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

The first two were just using the word abundantly in a way that defined it nicely, but the last three are speaking of the Christian, the house of Israel, and the bride of Christ. Apparently he wants us to be satisfied abundantly, and drink abundantly (also satisfied)

Forgiveness/Salvation:

Is. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

I Tim. 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Of course Jesus was incredibly abundant in all that he did upon the cross for us!

Other:

Eph. 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ex. 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Phil. 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Our rejoicing in Him is to be abundant, and everything that Jesus does for us is abundant, and His goodness to us is abundant, and His truth is abundant!

So…What is this abundant life? Sounds like it's a life that is focused around Christ, first of all, as it is He who came to give it to us, and it is salvation that is the very beginning of it. His grace, his forgiveness and his mercy are the abundant foundations of our abundant living. From there is the well spring of all the blessings of God both spiritual and earthly, as we see that we can have abundant joy, abundant satisfaction, and just about anything abundant there is because he is more abundant than we can ask or think. He is beyond our wildest dreams of spiritual growth, and earthly blessing. He is abundant in goodness and is only waiting to be just that to us. He is our bridegroom at our side wating to dote on our every wish and need, 'Another glass of wine, my dear?' Surely we will never fully understand how abundant our lives could be while we are on this earth! Our minds and our faith are far too limited to realize what He has for His children.

25?

May 22, 2008
So... I'm sitting here, and it dawns on me that I'm turning 25 in less than a month. Whoa! 25? Seriously? Me? I don't feel 25... In fact, really, what is the difference between 25 and 24? (Besides a whole year!) And really, what was 24 all about anyway?
I look back on turning 16 and how that was like this huge deal... I had to have grand celebration. Of course the masquerade ball in Civil War costume wasn't in the budget, so I ended up having a few friends and family over for cake and ice cream. Somehow my sensiblities were extrememly offended at not being thrown the birthday bash of the season... the coming out party of all coming out parties... because I was 16! I was a woman!
And then there was 18, and what is for most teens the beginning of an adult life. For me it was more than I'd ever dreamed because on that day my very first birthday present came in the form of a diamond engagement ring from Christopher (at midnight!). I was married only three months later and so began my adult life. Surely 18 was the best age of all!
But then I realized that I was still a mere teenager in an adult world... "21!" They said, "That is when you are truly grown up." So I looked forward to each birthday until that magical age came upon me...
It came. And so did 22, 23, and 24. Funny, I've looked forward to turning 25 ever since I turned 21... Somehow I thought I'd be really going places by now, am I truly just one year older?
I googled "25th birthday" and found that Kate Bosworth, Taylor Hanson, Ne-Yo, and Carrie Underwood share my birth year, Britney Spears really upped the insanity on her 25th birthday, and a woman died in a car crash a day after she turned 25 just a few days ago. People with great careers, people losing their minds, and people stepping out into eternity. Hmm... apparently it's the same as any other year. It's life.
So what do I have to show for my life? How have I changed since the last 'magical age milestone'?
I suppose others see those things more than I do, but I immediately think of being a mother to my two kids, being more confidant, and letting Jesus have control over my life. (That last one is HUGE!)
June 10th... 25... I think it's time to slow down and watch what happens in each year instead of looking ahead. Besides, what's to look ahead to? LOL This is going to be a great year!

Trapped or Free

Today I have a job interview. I am excited. I can almost taste what it is like to be back in the work place again! After 4 1/2 years of being home with children, I am headed back out into the world of 40 hours a week and Friday is payday. (I'm not dead set on 40 hours though... I'll probably start at 30 and see how it goes? We'll see) This is not really what I had planned at this stage in my life, as I was going to wait until both of my children were in school, but our financial situation demands it. Strange. I should feel forced into working, or angry... I should feel trapped. Why am I not feeling this emotion? For years I was trapped by being home all the time, when what I really wanted to do was work... yet for the love of my children, I stayed home. At the same time, I never wanted to work because I had too, and anytime it was brought up I felt forced into the situation... again trapped. I think for the first time in my life, I am realizing that I can choose how I feel. And when it comes down to it, I want to work. So why should I let my issues of being cornered into it affect my joy in this?
Chris preached on the word 'Trapped' in Sunday School yesterday, and the quote on the top of the page was "Freedom is Frightening." Yeah, it's kinda like that. I'm so used to the feelings and emotions of being trapped in my life... stuck in my circumstances... that old Mr. Fear comes along and says that I can never be free. I can never have joy. I can never let go of my depression. Mr. Fear says that there is no door to exit; the only solution to my problems is death. But what Mr. Fear doesn't know is that I am opening my eyes to something HUGE! I have the key to get out of that feeling. I have the key to change how I perceive a situation. I have the key to give thanks in all things - to see that silver lining on the cloud!
The first key is that God is sovereign in my situation! He foreordained it to happen. He knows what's going on. He sees it all. He saw me all of those years as I cared for my children while I felt lonely, unfulfilled, and without purpose. He sees our financial situation that would force me into finding a job sooner than I had planned. He knows. He sees. He brought it upon me! That is the second key. He brings things upon me to prepare me for the ministry that he has for me! Here I am excited about today, but also dreading it. Dreading escaping the box of my house, and fearing that I am just entering one more box at work. Is there really any freedom? What would I do with it if I were truly free? This is the wrong attitude. Jesus is bringing each circumstance into my life to shape me for that perfect plan He has in mind. He created me to do a specific something, and designed special circumstances to shape me into exactly what he had in mind. Everybody has an opinion on what they think about me going back to work... positive, negative and neutral... but the bottom line is that this is an experience God wants me to have right now for his glory in my life. The third key is that even if I feel alone, Jesus goes through everything I go through right along with me. The coolest thing that Chris said about feeling trapped was that 'When God is conspicuously absent it is when he is most omnisciently present." When I don't feel him, don't see him, and feel like I'm just going to have to figure things out on my own, He is still there. In fact, he is probably orchestrating circumstances so that I will look to him and tell him that I'm in over my head. He is just waiting for me to ask him to do things for me. He brings everything upon me to bring me to my face on his altar of surrender. He is ever there patiently waiting for the day that I stop playing tug-o-war and give each situation to him.
So here I am right now on the morning of my interview, and I want to do something I have never done before. Something that I am completely unable to do, but that I believe that Jesus wants me to do. I want to thank him for my life circumstances. I want to thank him for the years that I've stayed home with my children; there are so many memories that I will always cherish. I want to thank him for our financial situation. I have learned much about God's provision and faith. I want to thank him for allowing me to go back to work even though it is not in optimum circumstances in my life, he has a plan. And I want to surrender to him my future. I don't want to feel trapped any more by anything. It's such a silly emotion. I'm saved! I have Christ in me! In Christ is perfect liberty and freedom. I want to be able to give thanks in everything, and feel joy and freedom in everything. Chris said it was a choice - choose to complain and stay trapped, or choose to surrender and find freedom. I choose surrender.

Everything is about purpose these days!

I log onto myspace, and Mike has a new blog about purpose! Coincidence? Perhaps. But just now as I opened up BibleGateway.com and read I Thessalonians chapter 1 in The Message, again I was reminded about having a purpose... Jesus says to me:

It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.

There you have it! God has something special he wants me to do! Wow! flashback! Those were lyrics from the duet that I sang with Uncle Tim in that play years ago! Fancy remembering that now.

I'm special to Jesus, there's no one else like me.
I wouldn't trade places with anyone else,
I'm special you see.
God has a perfect plan he wants me to do.
I'm special, I'm special to my Lord
I'm special, I'm special to my Lord.

I'm getting goosebumps... Thank you Jesus for reminding me that I am special, and that you do have a plan for my life, and that you were working circumstances in my life to lead up to this very moment even when I was a child!