In Christ - I am crucified with Christ

I am crucified with Christ...

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

No Longer a Slave to Sin

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional

May 22, 2011

No Longer a Slave to Sin

"For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."                                 Romans 6:6-7

“I love the way The Living Bible presents Romans 6. ‘Should we keep on sinning when we don't have to? For sin's power over us was broken when we became Christians and we were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through His death the power of your sinful nature was shattered. Your old sin-loving nature was buried with Him when He died ... your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with Him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin’ (Romans 6:2-7).

“The death of our old self is positional, which means that when we became a part of Christ, our old self was shattered. Fatally wounded, rendered inoperative. Our old sin nature has no real power. That's why in verses 11 and 12 we are to ‘count [ourselves] dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body.’

“What a powerful command! Why are we told to count ourselves dead to sin? Because our ‘deadness’ to sin doesn't become evident in our lives until by faith we believe it. And what happens when we fail to count ourselves dead to sin? Then sin's power over us seems real, and we allow it to reign in our lives.

“Lord, thank You that through Your death, my old sin-loving nature was mortally wounded. I no longer have to sin! I have power to say no because I place my faith in You and consider myself alive to God!

“Blessings - Joni and Friends”

I can tell you with assurance that “counting yourself dead to sin” is hard work!  It’s amazing that no matter how many years down the road from conversion it’s been, I still have to “count myself dead to sin.”  I can choose to give in to sin – or I can choose to turn from it.  Sometimes it’s “easier” to give in - choosing to do the right thing EVERY TIME I have a choice to make takes a conscious effort and recognition that I DO have a choice.  There was a time in my life when things “just happened” – I felt like areas of my life were out of my control.  The TRUTH is that I hadn’t yielded those areas over to the Lordship of Jesus – and I had to come to that place of surrender and choose to give it to God – wholly and completely acknowledging the truth that I was dead to sin and alive in Christ.  I’m still a work in progress – but day-by-day I’m seeing evidence that I’m getting closer to that spiritual reality!  Sharon

PS – It’s really interesting – my “spell check” doesn’t recognize the word “sin” – it thinks it’s a misspelled word!  Isn’t that just like the world?  “Sin?  What’s that?  I’m a ‘good person!’”

In Christ - I am a new creature in Christ

I am a new creature in Christ...

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come

November 28, 2011

Refinished and Restored

Sharon Jaynes/Today’s Truth/KPRZ

Friend to Friend

“Junk. That’s what my family and friends thought of most of my purchases. But to me, they were treasures waiting to be revealed.

“When I was in my late teens, I had an unusual fetish for beat-up antique furniture. While most of my friends were at the mall shopping for clothes, I was at estate sales, flea markets, yard sales, and auctions hunting for antiques. Often, when I brought my purchases home, my family would roll their eyes and say, "I can't believe you paid money for that old piece of junk." But I never saw my purchases as junk. They just needed a little work…okay, sometimes a lot of work.

“At one estate sale I spied a little drop leaf kitchen table with three spindle-back chairs. I could just imagine a sweet little older lady spending many years sitting at that very table drinking her morning coffee or perhaps her afternoon tea. I could almost hear the faint whispers of thousands of conversations from generations past. The set was painted a hospital green, but I saw that it had great potential. Obviously the other bidders didn't recognize a treasure when they saw one, because ten minutes and $35 later, the set was mine.

“I brought the dinette set home, all excited about my great buy, and couldn't understand why no one else shared my enthusiasm.

"’Sharon, do you realize how much time and energy it is going to take to make that old green rickety table look even slightly presentable?’ they asked. At that point in my life, I had a lot more time than money, so the time wasn't a problem.

“Refinishing furniture is a dirty, grueling task. First, I stripped off the paint with paint remover and discovered that not only had the table been green, it had also been blue, and before that white. But underneath it all was pure walnut.

“The paint remover raised the grain of the wood, so I had to go back and sand it smooth. If the sanding isn't done well, the finished product will always be a little rough. A few joints were loose from wear and tear, so I glued them back together. Then I applied a warm walnut stain which deepened its color and made the beautiful pattern of the wood grain stand out. Finally, I applied a polyurethane coat to seal and protect the piece.

“As I worked I began to think of the old broken table as a symbol of my own life. I was also on the auction block, and God had purchased me with His Son’s precious blood. I had layers and layers of my old self that had to be stripped away to reveal the beauty hidden beneath. This raised my grain, but God sanded me with life experiences and trials to remove the rough edges. He glued my loose joints and mended my broken pieces, for He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Then He put a sealer not only on me but in me—the Holy Spirit—who brought out the beauty of who God created me to be.

“After I finished refurbishing the old table and chairs, I sat in the garage thinking about all that God had done in my life. My mom opened the door, looked at the old table, and said, "I never thought something so ugly could turn out to be so beautiful." I said, "Amen."

“Where are you in the refinishing process? It’s never really over, this side of heaven. But as we listen to God day by day, He will show us what needs to be stripped off, sanded away, and polished smooth to be all that He has created us to be.

“Let’s Pray

“Dear Lord, I was such a mess before You transformed me. Thank You for restoring my soul, renewing my spirit, and redeeming my life to become Your treasured possession…a true work of art.  In Jesus' name, Amen.”

I know I still have a lot of rough edges – and every day I’m reminded that being a “new creature in Christ” may be 100% true from God’s perspective – but it’s a work in progress for me.  There are so many ways I’m reminded that I’m still being conformed into His image.  But – I have HOPE that He’s going to finish what He started in me, and that’s SO much better than thinking I have to get there in my own strength!  That’s one of the blessings that are a result of God’s extravagant gift of Jesus – hope.  May you experience this Hope – and JOY - and PEACE - this Christmas weekend!  Sharon

In Christ - I am a temple of the Holy Spirit

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit...

I Corinthians 6:19,20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.  

May 4, 2010

 KPRZ – Encouragement for Today

God the Builder

 Wendy Pope 

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."

Hebrews 3:4 (NIV)

“Anything my nine year-old son sets his mind to, he can build.  Whether he is working with Legos, K'nex, or hammer and nails, you can count on him to build a masterpiece.   When he was only seven he informed me he planned to build a clubhouse from scrap wood the "workermen" from the construction site down the road had given him.  

“I gave him a list of logical reasons why he could not build a clubhouse.  My little guy listened, and then proceeded to tell me his logical reasons for how he could build a clubhouse.  I knew in my mind I was right, but there was no convincing my "workerman."

“It turns out I was wrong.  He built that clubhouse: a floor, four walls (including cut outs for doors and windows) and a roof.  This was proof positive he was born to build.

“There was another young man who was born to build: Jesus.  Jesus' earthly father Joseph was a carpenter by trade and customary to the times, taught his son carpentry skills.  I picture Jesus as a young child carrying His tools of the trade, honing His skills.  He probably hammered a nail or two in places His mother preferred He not. Perhaps He built benches for their humble home.  Maybe Jesus even entertained thoughts of building a clubhouse!  Yes, Jesus was born to build.

“Jesus was born to build, but His primary building project was not buildings, furniture, or other wood items. Jesus was born to construct the majestic splendor of a living temple of God - His church. He does this through the lives of God's children. Jesus is our builder, fashioning us to reflect the image of God. 

“The Greek rendering for the words "built" and "builder" in our key scripture is the same.  The definition for these words is quite interesting: to furnish, equip, prepare, make ready; of one who makes ready for a person or thing; of builders, to construct, erect, with the included idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary. Commentaries further explain the "house built" in our key verse is not a literal house, but a spiritual house.

“God our Builder wants to erect, furnish, and prepare us to be ready to reflect His image.  His desire is to adorn and equip us, His "living temples," with all things necessary to fulfill the purpose for which we were born. So many times we deny God access to our lives, giving Him logical reasons why we could not possibly be built into His image. He stands ready to give you reasons why you can be built into the image of God. 

“Are you ready to say yes to God's master plan for your life?  He is the Builder of everything.  He wrote the blueprint of your life before you were born. Will you let Him craft your life into the masterpiece it is meant to be?

“Dear Lord, today I give You the keys to my heart, Your home.  Forgive me for keeping You locked out of parts of my life.  I want You to come into my heart and life to begin construction.  You are the Master Builder; I give You permission to do all things necessary to craft me into the masterpiece I was meant to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

Once you become a child of God, you are filled with the Holy Spirit – He comes and dwells within your heart and is with you each step in the building process.  You can fight Him – you can grieve Him – you can keep Him at arm’s length –but you can’t evict Him.  Once you’re truly saved He’s there for good.  He sees every movie you watch – He knows what you’re doing with your boyfriend in the dark – He hears what comes out of your mouth – and He will gently speak to you about making better choices and  being a better witness.  I’ve been reading through Chronicles, and there are several instances when the Spirit of God is so powerfully present at the dedication of the new Temple that the priests, Levites and everyone else were on their faces in worship – they couldn’t stand in the powerful presence of God the Spirit.  It’s that same Spirit that indwells you – and me – and every other child of God.  Does His presence in our lives have that kind of impact on the people around us?  Perhaps not – but a life lived in surrender to God COULD be that powerful! May God continue building into each of our lives until we’re that kind of witness!  Sharon

In Christ - I am dead to sin

I am dead to sin...

Romans 6:1-4,17,18  What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional/May 23, 2011

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means? We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"  Romans 6:1-2

“I can hear you saying, ‘But that's impossible.  We may be Christians, but we're still human beings and sin is a fact of life.’ Yes, I agree that sin is a fact of life. We are free of its power, but sin's presence is still everywhere, tempting and enticing us. But does sin have to be our master? No! Never!

“Romans 6:14 is your emancipation proclamation: ‘For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.’

“Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones shares a wonderful illustration of this in one of his commentaries. He describes the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of God as two fields.  When we become Christians, Jesus rescues us out of the Devil's dry, rocky pasture and places us in His green fields. But that old master, the Devil, yells at us from his side of the fence. We hear him cracking his whip and telling us to get back into his field where we belong. Fear and intimidation make us listen to his lies, and before you know it, we climb back over the fence. What's amazing is that we don't have to! The Devil is not our master!

"’You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness’ (Romans 6:18).

“Close your ears to the Devil's lies.  Understand that fear and intimidation are a part of his strategy to force you back into his territory. You died to sin and it is no longer your master. Grace is all you need to say, ‘No, Satan, my master is Jesus, and I wouldn't dare set a foot outside His kingdom.’

“Free at last, free at last!  In Jesus, I am free from the power of sin over my life!”

There are some days when it’s REALLY hard to believe that I’m dead to sin – I find myself struggling with a bad attitude or impure thoughts – and it seems like sin is alive and well in my life.  At those times I have to remind myself that I am no longer in bondage to sin – and that in the strength and power of Jesus Christ, I am not only an over comer – I am DEAD to sin!  That doesn’t happen without effort on my part – I have to “reckon” myself dead to sin – I have to SEE myself as dead to sin – and I have to ACT in a way that says I’m dead to sin.  When I feel myself failing I can either give in – or cry out to God for the strength I need to live this truth.  On this side of heaven I will NEVER be perfect – but I CAN live in victory over those areas of sin in my life that keep me from experiencing the fullness of life promised to me by God.  And – when I fail – I know it’s not the end of the world – or the end of my relationship with Christ. I can pick myself up – repent – and ask God for the strength not to fail in that way again!  Are you faced with temptation that feels overwhelming?  KNOW that He is able to keep you from falling – and that “in Him” you can overcome!  Sharon

In Christ - I am at peace with God

I am at peace with God...

Romans 5:1,2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Psalms 29:11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace. 

Psalms 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints--but let them not return to folly. 

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. 

Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, Who has compassion on you. 

June 24, 2010

The Treasure of Thrown Away Food

Lysa TerKeurst

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Devotion:

If there was ever a secret for unleashing God's powerful peace in a situation, it's developing a heart of true thanksgiving. My son, Jackson, knows this.  I came to understand how powerfully he knows this when editing a paper he wrote recently. Jackson hasn't always lived in the safety and security of our home.  For the first 13 years of his life, he lived in a forgotten orphanage in the third world country of Liberia, Africa.

Jackson's paper was about the corruption and greed that caused the civil war in his native land. He did a great job recounting the facts of the story. But the difference between Jackson and most other kids explaining a historical event, is before we adopted him - he lived in the midst of the horrific conditions of this war.

During one part of the paper, he described what it felt like to be naked digging through the trash looking for the treasure of thrown away food.

The treasure of thrown away food.

I can hardly type those words without crying. This is my son.

And yet, despite the horrific conditions of his childhood there was an unexplainable thread of peace woven through his recollection of the story. A powerful peace centered in the awareness of God's presence. 

The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit no matter what to notice, pause and choose.

Noticing something for which to be thankful no matter what circumstance they're in.

Pausing to acknowledge this something as a reminder of God's presence.

Choosing to focus on God's presence until His powerful peace is unleashed.

I doubt any of us will find our treasure in thrown away food today. But will we be a noticer, a pauser, a chooser - a person of thanksgiving no matter what circumstance we're facing?

I find this truth about the power of thanksgiving over and over in Scripture. What was the prayer Daniel prayed right before being thrown in the lion's den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion's mouths? Thanksgiving.

After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah's heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving.

How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious? With thanksgiving.

And what is the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving is proclaimed? Peace. Powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:7, NIV).

One of Webster's official definitions of thanksgiving is: "a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."

I wonder how we might celebrate God's divine goodness today?

I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice, pause, and choose something for which we can truly be thankful....

Dear Lord, will You help me to notice things for which I can be thankful in each circumstance I face today?  Will You help me remember to pause and acknowledge this as evidence of Your presence?  And will You help me to remember to choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly?  Thank You for the reality that being thankful truly changes everything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The peace of God is a promise – and a blessing – something we don’t deserve but that He freely bestows upon us.  I also see that we have a part in experiencing that peace – it’s there for us – for all His children – but I think we can miss out on it if we don’t do our part.  What’s that?  What do WE need to do to experience His peace?  The devotion made a really good point that we need to be thankful – but I think there’s more we can do.  We are admonished “not to return to folly” – in other words – don’t go back to those things that caused you to miss out on God’s peace in the first place!  Don’t go back into a life of sin! Don’t return to the “vomit”(Pr 26:11) of your former life!  Doing so will rob you of His peace.  We need to love His law – His word – those who do will experience His peace.  Are you reading the Word daily?  Is knowing His word a priority in your life?  If you’re not experiencing His peace, try spending daily, consistent time in the Word. And lastly – are you steadfast in the Lord?  Have you purposed in your heart to follow Him and Him alone? Do you choose to trust Him with your life – with your choices – with your circumstances?  When/if you do, then His peace is assured!  Don’t wait for peace to “happen” in your life – do what you need to do to experience the peace God’s already promised!  Be thankful – be committed to following the Lord – be in the Word – and be steadfast in Him – and the peace of God will rule and reign in your heart!  Sharon