CHOOSING YOUR PATH IN CHRIST
I have been led to add a page for those who are struggling with life and for those who may be seeking a saving relationship with Jesus. I have looked at many postings of doing just that and found them difficult to understand, especially for those who don't speak with religious terminology.
I recently ran across an article by Dr. Charles Stanley in April 2012 edition of the In Touch magazine. What you will read below is his writings which appear simple and clear. I could not have written it better. I hope his words bless you and help to make sense of your questions and struggles. I have taken excerpts from the chapter called "Living the crucified life" in that particular issue.
"I believe our identification with Jesus' death and resurrection is the answer to every struggle we face. When you genuinely accept by faith that Christ is living through you, every aspect of your life will be transformed.
Once we are believers, life is no longer all about us - our interests, pleasures and desires. Jesus is now our Master. Though we often balk at the idea of giving up control, yielding our will to the Lord is one of the most freeing decisions we'll ever make, because God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him. Either our lives are resting in His almighty hands, or they are in our own. Who do you think is better able to hold them? As we let Christ rule in us, our method of handling daily pressures will change. Although God may allow these difficulties to continue, He never wants us to be crushed by them.
Don't you think Christ knows what it takes to live in this world with all its stresses and responsibilities? He absolutely does. Whether our tasks are menial or extremely important, He will strengthen us to do them and have a good attitude in the process. Yet all to often, instead of depending on Him, we rely on our own knowledge, abilities and experience. But everything achieved in our own strength amounts to nothing in eternity.
Resurrection power is never more evident than when Christ frees us from bondage to sin and destructive habits. Whenever we, as believers, fall for Satan's lies and yield to his temptations, our only avenue to freedom is through the crucified life-as we take up our crosses and deny ourselves. It is crucial to realize that you walk around with Almighty God inside you. There is nothing Satan can throw at you that Jesus cannot defeat. By choosing to let Him handle the temptation, you experience His victory. But trying to fight in your own strength will end in failure. Every one of us has crashed and burned when we've relied on self - effort.For some of us, the smoke has been rising to heaven our whole life. But if you rely on Christ, He'll rush in with His supernatural power and bring victory over whatever temptation you're facing.
What habits or practices have a grip on you? God wants you to have victory, and He's given you everything you need to be free in Christ. If you're struggling in a particular area today, pray the following prayer, and watch what God will do in your life.
Father, by the authority of Your Word, I have been crucified with Christ and raised to newness of life. I accept this by faith and today I choose death to this sin that has a grip on me. Sin's power has been broken and is no longer master over me. Today I am going to let Your Son respond to this area of defeat. By faith I will exercise the life and power that are mine in Christ Jesus. Amen.
DO YOU KNOW GOD? Perhaps the reason you haven't been able to overcome issues in your life, because your old sin nature has never been crucified with Christ. First Peter 2:24 tells us, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness". Forgiveness of all your sins and a new life in Christ are yours when you receive Jesus, by faith, as Savior. You can use the following prayer or your own words:
(often referred to as accepting Christ as your Savior)
Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I recieve You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank you for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen".
For more help and information visit intouch.org
I have been led to add a page for those who are struggling with life and for those who may be seeking a saving relationship with Jesus. I have looked at many postings of doing just that and found them difficult to understand, especially for those who don't speak with religious terminology.
I recently ran across an article by Dr. Charles Stanley in April 2012 edition of the In Touch magazine. What you will read below is his writings which appear simple and clear. I could not have written it better. I hope his words bless you and help to make sense of your questions and struggles. I have taken excerpts from the chapter called "Living the crucified life" in that particular issue.
"I believe our identification with Jesus' death and resurrection is the answer to every struggle we face. When you genuinely accept by faith that Christ is living through you, every aspect of your life will be transformed.
Once we are believers, life is no longer all about us - our interests, pleasures and desires. Jesus is now our Master. Though we often balk at the idea of giving up control, yielding our will to the Lord is one of the most freeing decisions we'll ever make, because God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him. Either our lives are resting in His almighty hands, or they are in our own. Who do you think is better able to hold them? As we let Christ rule in us, our method of handling daily pressures will change. Although God may allow these difficulties to continue, He never wants us to be crushed by them.
Don't you think Christ knows what it takes to live in this world with all its stresses and responsibilities? He absolutely does. Whether our tasks are menial or extremely important, He will strengthen us to do them and have a good attitude in the process. Yet all to often, instead of depending on Him, we rely on our own knowledge, abilities and experience. But everything achieved in our own strength amounts to nothing in eternity.
Resurrection power is never more evident than when Christ frees us from bondage to sin and destructive habits. Whenever we, as believers, fall for Satan's lies and yield to his temptations, our only avenue to freedom is through the crucified life-as we take up our crosses and deny ourselves. It is crucial to realize that you walk around with Almighty God inside you. There is nothing Satan can throw at you that Jesus cannot defeat. By choosing to let Him handle the temptation, you experience His victory. But trying to fight in your own strength will end in failure. Every one of us has crashed and burned when we've relied on self - effort.For some of us, the smoke has been rising to heaven our whole life. But if you rely on Christ, He'll rush in with His supernatural power and bring victory over whatever temptation you're facing.
What habits or practices have a grip on you? God wants you to have victory, and He's given you everything you need to be free in Christ. If you're struggling in a particular area today, pray the following prayer, and watch what God will do in your life.
Father, by the authority of Your Word, I have been crucified with Christ and raised to newness of life. I accept this by faith and today I choose death to this sin that has a grip on me. Sin's power has been broken and is no longer master over me. Today I am going to let Your Son respond to this area of defeat. By faith I will exercise the life and power that are mine in Christ Jesus. Amen.
DO YOU KNOW GOD? Perhaps the reason you haven't been able to overcome issues in your life, because your old sin nature has never been crucified with Christ. First Peter 2:24 tells us, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness". Forgiveness of all your sins and a new life in Christ are yours when you receive Jesus, by faith, as Savior. You can use the following prayer or your own words:
(often referred to as accepting Christ as your Savior)
Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I recieve You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank you for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen".
For more help and information visit intouch.org