Sometimes we forget that there really is an “old” self and a “new” self.

We live on autopilot and determine how to live and respond to life based on our own natural way of thinking  and reasoning.

It’s easier this way because we are simply moving to the rhythm of what comes natural to us.

But, just because something is natural does not necessarily mean it is God’s intended best for us. In fact, usually what comes natural to us is formed from human tradition, family of origin, or life habits and patterns that we have picked up along the way.

God has a better way for us, then our way. It takes thought and concentration…something that we would rather not bother with. Most of us are busy and like auto pilot. But are you becoming all that Christ has planned for you while living in autopilot? Is your familiar space causing spiritual growth or stagnant living?

Do you want God’s best for you?

Yeah…me too…

Today’s Truth: Ephesians 4:17-32

Read the passage above and note the instruction to live differently.

Here are the first four foundational points to get us going…

• You must no longer live in the futility of your thinking
• You are taught to put off your former life, “old self”
• You are to be made new in the attitude of your mind
• You are to put on the new self, created to be like God

Let’s stop with these four points. Think about them, pray about them, be honest with yourself about them. Are you living new or are you settling for the old?

• Define futility of your own thinking.
• Describe living in your former life
• Imagine what a new attitude looks like
• Believe for the new self that was actually created to be like God.

Father, make us more like You, created in You, to bring You glory!

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Each year I ask God for my own personal theme. That might sound a little out there, but stay with me for a moment. A themed year causes me to have focus, direction and brings me to attention when I go through things that need to be lined up to the theme.

This year God gave me two words, ” YES, LORD.” They may only be two, but they pack a powerful punch. When saying “YES” my focus gets turned from me to the God who created me for His purposes. In addition to that, it trains me because I am not that skilled at saying “YES”. I often want to say ” What? You have got to be kidding me, Lord!” But, this year, the instructions are clear, “YES” is the theme.

Many of you know that I have been off the blog due to illness. It has taken any strength that I do have to just keep going day to day with all my regular responsibilities.  Think being pregnant and VERY sick, but NOT!

This week I am scheduled for gallbladder surgery and I am hoping that I will be much better after that. But, in the meantime, I continue to learn to Look Up to Jesus and am being trained by those two words, YES LORD!

I would like to share a passage that popped for me  during my reading this morning. I think I will SIT with this for the week and let God speak to me. Perhaps you would like to do the same.

Today’s Truth: 1 Peter 1: 1-2, 6-7 ( highlight for emphasis)

” Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

In This you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to sufffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perhishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

I see two distinct themes here:

First: My identity in Christ is affirmed, and so is yours.

• God’s elect
• Strangers in the world
• Chosen by God
• For obedience to Jesus Christ

Secondly: My trials and sufferings have a purpose, and so do yours.

• To increase my faith in God
• To prove that my faith in God is genuine
• To bring Him praise and glory

We can not say YES LORD when we are not standing in our identity as His. But note that as His, I am to live as a STRANGER to this world. Funny how we learn our entire life how to FIT into this world, but God’s word says we are strangers and need to live as such. As strangers our main calling is to live as those CHOSEN for OBEDIENCE to Christ!

“Yes Lord”, goes so well with this, doesn’t it? We have been chosen for obedience. Let that sit with you for awhile each day this week. And…in this place our trials are producing genuine faith in us.

What is your theme this year? If you don’t have one, you might want to join me in learning to say ” YES, LORD”

Today’s Prayer

Father, I know how to live according to the plan of those who raised me and the culture that has shaped me. I know how to fit into the church culture that has been part of my life for years, but I am not that skilled at living as a stranger to all of that, for the sake of hearing you and following you. Teach me how to say, YES, and how to follow your ways. Thank you for choosing me to live in obedience, now just teach me what that means and how to live it out.

Affirmations

I have been chosen for obedience to Jesus Christ!

My trials are producing genuine authentic faith!

I would love to hear from you! Leave a messasge and I will make sure it gets posted!

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