For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” John 13:7
Fellow Believers in our Savior, Greetings in the Name above all names,
Lessons in obedience can hurt. Our Savior loves us just as we are and just as we were; but His love will not leave us in this state. As I surrender to Christ, on a daily basis, appropriating the growth truth that 'I am crucified with Christ', it seems almost easy and I experience rest and peace. By faith I am identified with Christ in his death and resurrection. When in this state I do not understand why I fail to follow His plan always. Why do I trust Him for one trial and then not trust Him for trial that knocks me down next? Truth dawns on me that my 'old sin nature' (OSN) resists, sidesteps, ignores and frequently refuses the Cross.... I have come to this conclusion: life doesn't get easier and dying to the flesh doesn't get easier! I am to stop expecting it to be so. There is no other way for self to be denied than God's way. The flesh will only yield to the Cross; this is our identification with Christ Jesus in His death and resurrection. Our spiritual growth requires surrender to His plan and it relies on a heart hunger to know our Lord Jesus intimately.
"The Divine way (via the cross) for spiritual emancipation is just as offensive to the child of God as the Divine way for salvation is to the lost." MJS
Once we have known forgiveness of sins, we make a new discovery- the discovery of sin, and we realize that we have the nature of a sinner. There is an inward inclination to sin. There is a power within that draws us to sin.... MJS
I know that power within drawing me to sin. At times I defend myself, insist on my rights, gossip, envy others, harbor hate and resentment and am easily selfish and peevish. I prefer to be served rather than to wash the stinky feet of a brother or sister. Then God holds up His mirror and the reflection I see is anything but Christ-like. My failure to live for Christ hurts deeply because living for Him is what I truly desire! I need be aware that my OSN is adaptable and can be kind, generous, helpful, but this is a facade hiding the truth that the flesh is in control.
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8
When my Father takes me through a trial, often He removes my understanding and my perspective. Processing the difficulty feels unfamiliar and harder than any I have been through previously. I "feel" powerless to surrender to Christ in the trial and find rest. Why does it feel so unfamiliar? Is it the fear which invades my mind and heart carrying on an endless defeating dialogue? Do I believe the Father knows exactly what to measure into my life and for how long? If He is choosing what to allow and He is working for good in my life (what good? what purpose? just this: that I may be conformed to the image of HIs Son) and He is all wise and loving, why is it so hard to trust Him? Has He ever failed? Is He weak and lacks knowledge? no, and no again! Can it be I do not recall past lessons learned or is it that I do not 'feel' like remembering the Holy One is present in me? It is my OSN refusing the Cross! Such is the struggle between the New nature and the OSN in daily warfare. I may not realize what God is doing but I know He is trustworthy and never fails. Our flesh cannot produce life, humility, love or selflessness. Press hard into the Father and find rest. In appropriating Christ's death there is truly resurrection Life.
He will make every pain, every tear, every particle of our suffering work in us a death to sin and to the old man, and to all things on earth which will be for our highest development and for His glory. GW
Let us be living testimonies that our God is Almighty and good. He meets our needs and His grace is sufficient, His love abundant and satisfying. Loving Him is a good motive to live for Him but He calls us to go beyond the love motive to the life motive: "For me to live is Christ.."
Lamb of God, crucified One, You who humbly entered life via a human birth canal and relied on air to live, are God Almighty, Eternal in the heavens. You are gentleness and humility the living personification of Love and Mercy and Peace. This alone is enough to conclude that I want to be like You. I who struggle with pride and think I am something in the grand scheme of things when I am nothing outside of You! Forgive me and cleanse me with Your precious blood. Fill my heart with faith to trust You each moment for what You allow to come into my life when I do not understand what You are doing in my life. God of wonder and grace, Blessed be Your name now (in me and through me) and forever, In this Your Holy Name I pray amen.
I am crucified with Christ,az
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” John 13:7
Fellow Believers in our Savior, Greetings in the Name above all names,
Lessons in obedience can hurt. Our Savior loves us just as we are and just as we were; but His love will not leave us in this state. As I surrender to Christ, on a daily basis, appropriating the growth truth that 'I am crucified with Christ', it seems almost easy and I experience rest and peace. By faith I am identified with Christ in his death and resurrection. When in this state I do not understand why I fail to follow His plan always. Why do I trust Him for one trial and then not trust Him for trial that knocks me down next? Truth dawns on me that my 'old sin nature' (OSN) resists, sidesteps, ignores and frequently refuses the Cross.... I have come to this conclusion: life doesn't get easier and dying to the flesh doesn't get easier! I am to stop expecting it to be so. There is no other way for self to be denied than God's way. The flesh will only yield to the Cross; this is our identification with Christ Jesus in His death and resurrection. Our spiritual growth requires surrender to His plan and it relies on a heart hunger to know our Lord Jesus intimately.
"The Divine way (via the cross) for spiritual emancipation is just as offensive to the child of God as the Divine way for salvation is to the lost." MJS
Once we have known forgiveness of sins, we make a new discovery- the discovery of sin, and we realize that we have the nature of a sinner. There is an inward inclination to sin. There is a power within that draws us to sin.... MJS
I know that power within drawing me to sin. At times I defend myself, insist on my rights, gossip, envy others, harbor hate and resentment and am easily selfish and peevish. I prefer to be served rather than to wash the stinky feet of a brother or sister. Then God holds up His mirror and the reflection I see is anything but Christ-like. My failure to live for Christ hurts deeply because living for Him is what I truly desire! I need be aware that my OSN is adaptable and can be kind, generous, helpful, but this is a facade hiding the truth that the flesh is in control.
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8
When my Father takes me through a trial, often He removes my understanding and my perspective. Processing the difficulty feels unfamiliar and harder than any I have been through previously. I "feel" powerless to surrender to Christ in the trial and find rest. Why does it feel so unfamiliar? Is it the fear which invades my mind and heart carrying on an endless defeating dialogue? Do I believe the Father knows exactly what to measure into my life and for how long? If He is choosing what to allow and He is working for good in my life (what good? what purpose? just this: that I may be conformed to the image of HIs Son) and He is all wise and loving, why is it so hard to trust Him? Has He ever failed? Is He weak and lacks knowledge? no, and no again! Can it be I do not recall past lessons learned or is it that I do not 'feel' like remembering the Holy One is present in me? It is my OSN refusing the Cross! Such is the struggle between the New nature and the OSN in daily warfare. I may not realize what God is doing but I know He is trustworthy and never fails. Our flesh cannot produce life, humility, love or selflessness. Press hard into the Father and find rest. In appropriating Christ's death there is truly resurrection Life.
He will make every pain, every tear, every particle of our suffering work in us a death to sin and to the old man, and to all things on earth which will be for our highest development and for His glory. GW
Let us be living testimonies that our God is Almighty and good. He meets our needs and His grace is sufficient, His love abundant and satisfying. Loving Him is a good motive to live for Him but He calls us to go beyond the love motive to the life motive: "For me to live is Christ.."
Lamb of God, crucified One, You who humbly entered life via a human birth canal and relied on air to live, are God Almighty, Eternal in the heavens. You are gentleness and humility the living personification of Love and Mercy and Peace. This alone is enough to conclude that I want to be like You. I who struggle with pride and think I am something in the grand scheme of things when I am nothing outside of You! Forgive me and cleanse me with Your precious blood. Fill my heart with faith to trust You each moment for what You allow to come into my life when I do not understand what You are doing in my life. God of wonder and grace, Blessed be Your name now (in me and through me) and forever, In this Your Holy Name I pray amen.
I am crucified with Christ,
az
