Affirmed in Christ

Let Go of Regrets: Finding Purpose in Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

What is my life? That was the electrifying question the pastor tossed out at church one Sunday morning, urging everyone to really dig deep into their own journeys, purposes, and choices that make up the story of their lives. As the congregation sat there, thinking about their own unique paths, recalling moments that made them laugh, cry, and reflect, the pastor pointed out that every single choice, whether it seems like a big deal or not, sends ripples through others’ lives, making connections that might seem invisible and packing a serious punch.

In our journey of faith, we can often find ourselves weighed down by past mistakes and regrets, which can cloud our vision and hinder our relationship with God. However, that is not how God views us; He sees us through the lens of grace and love, emphasizing our potential rather than our failures.

As Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13-14, it’s essential to release those burdens and focus on what lies ahead, embracing the promise of a new beginning. By striving forward and toward our God-given purpose and calling in Christ Jesus, we can transform our experiences into stepping stones that lead us closer to Him. Each day presents a fresh opportunity to grow, learn, and deepen our faith, allowing us to let go of what no longer serves us and continually pursuing the abundant life God has in store for us.

No matter where we are today, we can be assured that God equips us to move forward to run this race with perseverance and faith!

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

Shedding the Old Self: A Spiritual Renewal

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)

Ever feel like it’s time for a shake up? This doesn’t always mean acquiring more things; it could simply be about viewing yourself from a refreshing perspective.

In Ephesians 4:22-24, we are encouraged to throw off our old selves and embrace our new identity in Christ — one that’s created in true righteousness and holiness. To ditch your old self, the one that’s stuck in those outdated life choices and shady desires, is like clearing out your closet of all those “what was I thinking?” outfits.

Get ready to put on a brand-new persona, crafted after the likeness of the best designer ever – Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, meaning you have confessed that Jesus Christ is your Lord and you believe that He died on the Cross for your sins. You believe He rose again and lives. You believe in God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Well then you’re ready. This is all about stepping up and into true righteousness and holiness, and trust me, it will feel as good as slipping into your favorite cozy sweater.

God does not want our lives to be only that of uncertainty on earth. There is peace, grace and a whole ocean of the goodness of God waiting for you! What do you say, ready for a revamp?

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

Draw Near and Be Thankful

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Entering into this season of holiday parties and gatherings with family and friends can bring mixed emotions.

First, let’s remember that some of our friends and family members may have different needs – they may be grieving, they may need space, they may be seeking companionship. Showing kindness and compassion could be inviting someone over for dinner or delivering a meal to a friend.

We all know that bringing groups of family or friends together has the potential to create tension. However, as believers, we are instructed to always be humble, showing gentleness and patience to others; being forgiving because God forgave us (Colossians 3:12-13).

But why? Because all scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and with this imparted wisdom, God is instructing us to show grace and be forgiving because He does the same for us.

And, in drawing near to Him, we increase fellowship with the Lord, and increase our capacity of extending love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

45 days to Draw Near

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded
James 4:8 ESV

There are many signs that the current year is coming to its end. The cooler temperature or the recent time change. What was once a bright and sunny time, 4pm central standard means that the sun is setting soon.

As other signs from nature like falling leaves signify the year’s end, there is also the personal awareness that another year is closing – often being a time to reflect on what was or was not accomplished.

I too, like many of us, had a list, an idea, a plan (or three), specific outcomes and changes that I was striving towards, that I am working towards. I know that I was prayerful at the end of last year and beginning of this year, truly seeking the Lord for direction for this year.

And so when I was reflecting on the things that did not quite happen the way I thought or not at all; through the Holy Spirit, I realized that there was still time to pursue something of great importance.

The most important action that I could take for the remainder of the year is to draw near to the Lord. In Him is where I find the peace and reassurance of His perfect will for my life this year, next year, the year after and forever. As the scripture continues, the result of drawing near is an act of sanctification; pressing the believer to turn away from sin and towards oneness with God, instead of double-mindedness.

Today marks 45 days left in 2023. Let’s ignite a fervent focus to drawing near to, spending time with, deepening or developing our relationship with God. It’s where we’ll find joy, strength and perseverance. And if we seek God, if we draw near to Him; He will draw near to us.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

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Unashamed in Christ

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:11

The Bible offers us so much reassurance and comfort. In the book of Romans, it says, “Anyone who believes in God will not be ashamed.” This powerful statement reminds us to trust in God wholeheartedly.

Having faith in Him is not in vain. It assures and guides us in life, eliminating doubt and fear while providing a strong sense of security.

This promise ignites a flame of courage within us, enabling us to face life’s challenges head-on.

As we daily navigate through life, we can be confident that our trust in God will remain unshaken. We are assured that nothing we do in His name will be in vain or go unnoticed. Our efforts, rooted in faith, will never be fruitless, for we have been promised that we will not be put to shame.

In the book of Romans, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness. We are encouraged to stay strong in our faith and trust Him, even during difficult times.

Let us have faith in God and His promises, knowing that through Christ, we will have eternal victory and a life without shame. Let these words inspire us and give us strength and courage to live each day with confidence in Christ.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ

Identity in Christ

⁸God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:8-10, NLT

In Ephesians Chapter 2, Paul speaks about salvation and the importance of recognizing the grace God gives to us.

The gift of salvation is not a matter for us to boast about, but an incredible demonstration of God’s love and mercy towards humanity. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own efforts. It is a gift from God that we receive when we trust and depend on Him. We cannot earn it, but we can accept His grace with humility and gratitude.

Knowing these truths, we can confidently state that our identity is found in God’s redeeming love, not in what we do. And our response to God’s precious gift of salvation should be one of gratitude and obedience, recognizing the abundant love He has shown us.

Paul emphasizes the power of grace and faith in shaping our identity as believers. God’s unmerited favor and our sincere trust in Christ are what save us. Let’s embrace this truth and live as beloved children of God.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

In Christ, I have nothing to hide

The truth is that God knows everything about me and you.

Let that sink in. Yes we may be dealing with past and current hurts, trauma, sin habits, the hard things, the things that just don’t feel great to talk about. And, as believers, God sees us as His precious children. Though conviction is powerful, necessary and life changing – God does not use it to shame us but to continue to seek edification and to be more Christ-like.

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
²You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

⁷Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
Psalm 139:1-7, NIV

In Christ, we are encouraged to live with transparency and integrity, acknowledging that God sees and knows everything about us. There is a beautiful freedom that comes from knowing that we can bring our true selves before Him, without fear of judgment or condemnation.

Embracing this truth, we can be honest with ourselves, with God, and with others, trusting that His love and grace cover us completely. In living with nothing to hide, we can experience deeper relationships, a clearer conscience, and a greater sense of peace.

Let us continually strive to walk in the light, for it is in Christ that we find true freedom and acceptance.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

Seeking is the First Step

About six months ago or so, I noticed that the Holy Spirit was leading me to the scripture Isaiah 60:22.

At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”
Isaiah 60:22, NLT

Initially, I read this verse as confirmation that the next steps in my career were coming soon. And then I started seeing and hearing it EVERYWHERE! The podcasts and sermons I listened to – the devotionals I read – on the radio – in books. For sure this was confirmation, right! I wrote it down, taped in on my desk at work – alright Lord, I’m ready!

As soon as I got what I thought was a green light, I jumped. I started applying to positions, I edited my resume and cover letter; my LinkedIn profile was ready to go!

About halfway through the six months I realized – nothing happened. And by nothing I mean whatever this big, wow, extravagant thing I was looking for. No, that did not happen.

Let me tell you what did occur. I meditated on Isaiah 60:22, then Psalm 37:3-5:

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:
Psalm 37:3-5, NIV

Reading Psalm 37 in entirety impressed my soul and corrected my thinking. Throughout the chapter reminders of refraining from anger, turning from evil, and trusting and hoping in the Lord, changed the posture of my prayer. I started to understand, the significance of Isaiah 60:22 was not about what was going to happen, but the importance was on who is in control.

And in that control, all I was supposed to do was trust and enjoy the safe pasture. What a gift from seeking the Lord. As stated in Matthew 6:32-33:

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:32-33, NLT

Hearing and seeing Isaiah 60:22 was the beginning. The process and the big thing that happened was remembering what I and all of us as believers are called to do, above and before anything else – first seek God.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

Keep Driving

This past week my family went on vacation. It was a great time for us to get away and relax for a few days in the middle of a busy summer. We chose to drive and it was quite a journey. 12 hours with three young kids going from the Midwest to Biloxi, Mississippi. There were more stops than we anticipated, restlessness, refusal to sleep, and of course being asked, “are we there yet?” more times than we could count. There were times during the drive where we felt that the destination may not have been worth it. That is, until when we turned the last corner of our trip and saw the Gulf of Mexico. Instantly, all of our eyes were fixed on the boundless water and bright sand in the sunlight. Kim and I held hands, realizing simultaneously that the destination was indeed worth the drive.

The pressures and the pains of life make us feel like giving up at times. God calls us to go through difficult situations and deal with difficult people. If we’re honest with ourselves, there are times when we wonder, “is what God has for me worth the pain?” There may be other times where we wonder, “does God even care?” If you are a child of God, be encouraged that the destination is worth the hardship of this world. Jesus never promised a trouble free life. In fact, Jesus told His disciples

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 ESV

Be encouraged that, in a world full of tribulation, Jesus has promised to never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Paul, who was blessed to see Heaven in his lifetime (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), said

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 ESV

Paul doesn’t diminish the pain we experience, but he puts in in perspective. Paul says that the eternal joy we are headed towards outweighs ALL the suffering you will experience in this life. When you see Jesus, the pains of this life will fade away. Somedays that’s the only thing that keeps me going.

Meditation Scriptures: Take some time to read and think on Revelation chapters 21 and 22. This is the paradise that awaits you if you are a child of God.

So keep driving. Keep moving forward and trust that God has an eternal reward for your faithful endurance!

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.

Feel the Burn

Some personal trainers say that when lifting weights, it’s important to “feel the burn.” For muscle growth and increasing strength, it’s important to push yourself beyond your comfort level by adding a few more pounds to the bar or doing an extra set. If you’ve ever worked out intensely, then you know, this brings a mixture of feelings. You’ve pushed yourself and may feel worn down, but you’re pleased because you’re developing greater endurance. This is what an effective workout does. However, there is a difference between feeling the burn and actual pain. A good trainer will tell you this as well. There’s a difference between pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits and actually hurting yourself. There is a difference between feeling the burn versus a tear, strain, or dislocation.

There are times when God calls you to endure challenging and exhausting situations because He knows your spiritual strength will increase. In our series on Facing Your Pain we have been looking at times where God calls us to extremely difficult things. Yet, there are also situations and people that we must avoid; that God wants us to avoid because He knows that they will damage us. There are times when we should walk alongside difficult people, and other times when we need to walk away from those that are toxic. There are times when God calls us to stay in a difficult situation, like a job where we can shine God’s light in darkness, and there are other times when we need to leave situations that damage our mental and emotional health. But how do we know? Sometimes it’s not always easy to discern what things to stay with and what things to let go of. How do we determine spiritual development versus spiritual damage? These are the times where we must ask God for wisdom. The Bible is clear that God wants to impart His wisdom to you.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5 ESV

Are you in need of wisdom? Well, God has your answer. You don’t have to figure these things out alone. God wants to provide direction for you! All you have to do is ask sincerely, believing that God will provide, with no doubting (James 1:6-8).

Prayer

“Lord, I lift this person/situation up to you. Please give me wisdom on how to handle it. Is this an opportunity for me to endure and bless the situation or is it time to walk away because I’m being damaged?. I trust that you are my good Father, and you will lead me in the way that I should go. Speak to me Lord. In your name Jesus I pray, AMEN”

Meditation Scriptures: James 1:2-8; Matthew 7:7-12

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.