This whole section is based on the assumption of our having been “raised with Christ”. If we attempt to follow the teaching of the proceeding verses outside of the resurrection power, we will be doing so out of our own strength and it will all be in vain.

The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 6:4-6 that…

4We 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.
5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin—

Through the crucifixion of Christ, we are invited into a new life. And we are empowered through the resurrection of Jesus to live this new life that is described in this section. The resurrection is the foundation, the linchpin, the hinge. It is a common temptation to try and live the Christian life out of our own strength, but the Bible teaches us that we are only able to live the new life out of the power of the resurrection of Jesus.

As the Apostle Peter proclaims in 1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

So, we must ask our self, what is the foundation of our spiritual life? Is it our own effort? Or is it the power of the resurrection and the truth that we have been raised with Christ? And we can be confident in this because Paul writes “YOU HAVE been raised with Christ” – it is a statement of a fact for those who are in Christ. Now, we just learn to live in that truth.Similar Posts:

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“…our spiritual enemy is always enticing us to speed. This is the fatallest of fatal things.” Frederick Faber (1814-1863)

I’m personally discovering that there are some days in which there seems to be an extra amount of external pulls – do this, do that, quicker, faster, NOW! Of course, sometimes these are unavoidable and we simply have to do what needs to be done and do it quickly. However, I’m wondering if there are days and moments when these seemingly external influences (and the subsequent pressure we feel to hurry up) are actually pointing to an internal struggles against hurry and the enemy’s attempts to get us to speed up our life so that we ultimately live distracted and disjointed.

I like to think of these as “yellow light” moments.

When I’m driving and the approaching light turns yellow, I have to make the decision to either step on the gas and race against the red light or I can choose to slow down and wait for the next green light. There are times when the pressure of the clock tells me, “Step on it!”. Then there are times when I feel the freedom to slow down and wait.

I wonder if something similar happens in our daily life. Are there moments when we need to recognize that the “light is yellow” and we need to make a choice to either speed up and risk it or slow down and wait? I think so. I don’t think God desires for us to be lazy, but I do believe that God wants us to live a healthy and balanced and unhurried life. Sure, life gets busy sometimes, even Jesus had busy days. But, Jesus did not live a life that was constantly rushed and on the move. He made time to slow down, to pause, to wait. If we follow Jesus, we should learn to do the same.

When we feel the pressure of the “yellow light” – the pressure to hurry up – perhaps we can learn to take a deep breath and ask our self the tough questions such as:

• why do I feel the need to hurry – is it due to procrastination on my part or is it because I feel the need to please someone else?
• what would happen if I paused or slowed down?
• is God inviting me in this moment to pause and look to him?
• if Jesus where with me in this moment (which he is after all) what would he advise me to do?

So, do you ever have “yellow light moments”? How have you responded to them?

thanks to this post by Alan Fadling for inspiration: http://alanfadling.com/2010/05/24/spiritual-formation-health-and-wholeness/Similar Posts:

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I am currently in a class titled “Christian Spirituality in Everyday Life” and we are currently discussing the topic of discovering the sacred in what may seem like the mundane – experiencing God’s presence in ordinary life. A basic foundation is the truth that God is “omni-present”, everywhere at all times. Consider Psalm 139:7-12. But, how do we learn to “practice the Presence” in ordinary times? It can be “easy” to experience God when we are at worship or participating in communion, but what about when we are at home doing chores or at the office keeping up with work?

I think the Message translation of Romans 12:1-2 offers us some guidance here.

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Perhaps one way we learn to be attentive to God’s presence in everything is to very practically take our normal activities and offer them to God. Sometimes, I know from experience, that we can feel overwhelmed at this proposal as we try to jump in feet first and attempt to transform the way we see everything all at once. While God can surely open our eyes in dramatic ways, most of the time this is probably akin to quickly taking off your sunglasses on a bright day. Our eyes take time to adjust.

Perhaps a more practical approach would be to look at our daily, ordinary life and prayerfully choose just one activity in which we will practice God’s presence on a daily basis – “fixing our attention on God”. What would it look like to begin to practice God’s presence on our daily commute? The daily task of cleaning dishes? The evening dog walk? The morning cup of coffee?

Can we take these “everyday, ordinary life” activities and begin to invite God into them (really he is already there) and “embrace what God is doing” in these simple times? I think it is this type of practical approach that will enable us to awaken to the presence of God and become sensitive to God’s activity in and around us.

What do you think? What is one daily activity that you could begin to see as sacred time? How might you go about experiencing God in it?Similar Posts:

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This passage starts off with a dispute between brothers that was based in greed – “tell him to split the inheritance with me”

In the Parable:

• Rich man gets even richer
• Decides (on his own, in isolation) to store up his wealth and live a nice life
• God calls him a “fool” -

1. He disregarded God
2. He was not “rich toward God”
3. He disregarded others
4. He did not choose to be a wise steward

• Jesus goes on to explain what it is to be like for those that follow him:

1. They are not to be caught up in worrying about material concerns
2. “Do not worry” “Do not set your heart…” “The pagan world runs after all such things”

Luke 8:14 echoes this– “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those that hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.”

• They are to live a life of cooperative trust in the Father

1. Like the raven and the flowers of the field
2. God provides what is needed
3. “your Father knows that you need them”

• They are to put the kingdom first in their life
• They are to realize that where their treasure is, their heart is also

So, how do we live as disciples of Jesus today, in a world that encourages us to get more and more for ourselves?

Especially at this time of year, how do we not be “conformed to the pattern of this world”?

The Answer is to Live Generously

God calls us to be disciples who live generously

Generosity…

• It is not simply “paying dues” into a religious system
• It is not giving to charity, so we feel good about ourselves (though it does bring joy)

God calls us to live “open-handedly”, generously, as an outward expression of a changed heart that no longer puts its trust in worldly materials, but in God alone.

Part of the process of our spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness is the shift that we make from trusting our self to trusting God.

When we live with a “closed fist” (the opposite of “open-handed) we trust our self and we hold on tight to the things that we think will bring us safety, security, pleasure and satisfaction.

And because these things can’t satisfy those needs, we reach (striving) for more and more and hold tighter and tighter.

But, when we live “open handedly” we release those things and we turn to God alone for our safety, security, pleasure, satisfaction, and salvation.

And because God DOES satisfy, we learn to hold on to those other things loosely and we can live generously and freely as we put the Kingdom first.

Jesus doesn’t just give a command here. He is attempting re-shape the way we think – our reality – our worldview. God as our faithful, loving, providing Father.

How generosity shapes us

• Our generosity reflects the generosity of God

-Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us

and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

• It is an expression of the love and generosity of Christ

- 2 Cor 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

• It breaks the chains – “freely you receive, freely give”

• Grows our trust. Being a generous disciple is really about trust – God wants to teach us to trust him and to live in his abundance (John 10:10)

- Jesus teaches us in this passage that God is a loving father that cares for and provides for us (the kingdom and necessary material provisions) – therefore we can trust him and not be bound by the need to store up our possessions.

Living Generously

• Cheerful, joyful – attitude matters

- 2 Cor 9:7 – Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

• Caring for the needs of others – Early Church model

- Acts 2:44-45

- Acts 4:32-34

• “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” – Wesley

- Be a steward of God’s provision

- Luke 21:1-4 – Widow’s might

- Use what God blesses you with for his kingdom
- 1 Tim 6:18-19

• Live simply

- 1 Tim 6:7-10

THIS SEASON…

• Give to those in need
• Limit what you spend on yourself and your family
• Nurture the generosity of Christ that is in you

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After a while of having these thoughts and continuing to walk, he came up to a rest area where he met another hiker. He initiated conversation with this fellow nature lover, hoping that he might gain some wisdom from this man who looked as though he had hiked this and other trails a hundred times before. After listening for several minutes, the experienced hiker asked if he could join the young man on the remainder of his journey. Excited at the possibility, the young man accepted and they began to walk side by side down the trail. As they walked, the more experienced hiker asked questions such as, “Is this your first time on this trail?” “Do you hike often?” “What have you experienced so far?” and “What are you hoping to experience?” Throughout their conversation, the experienced hiker would point out things on the trail that the young man didn’t notice at first. Things like the calls of different birds and the names of flowers and trees. He didn’t talk much about his own experience hiking this trail, but he focused on helping the young man experience the hike in way he wouldn’t have on his own.

After a few hours of walking together, they came up to another rest area. Though the young man was eager to continue with his new hiking partner, the experienced hiker urged him to go on by himself. He reminded him of some of the wisdom for good hiking: keep your eyes open, pay attention to sounds, and take your time and enjoy the experience. The young man now had a renewed excitement about the unknown adventure that was ahead of him and went ahead on the trail no longer feeling as though he was missing something, but feeling like he was finally experiencing the trail the way it was meant to be experienced.

We all need someone in our life that will come alongside us as we move through our journey with Christ. Someone to help us see things in a new light and help us to experience the “with-God” life in greater depths. Perhaps you either feel like you need someone to come alongside you, or maybe you can be that person to someone else. The place to start is in your conversations. Every conversation can either help someone along the journey or hinder them.

Recommended reading to help you journey with others:

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The Apostle Paul did not buy into this way of thinking. All throughout the book of Philippians Paul’s focus is on Christ.

Consider some of the things Paul writes in Philippians:

• To live is Christ, to die is gain

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• Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ

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• Do nothing out of selfish ambition, but let your attitude be the same as Christ Jesus

It is near the end of the book of Philippians that Paul makes his case for contentment:

I have learned how to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13

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How did Paul capture contentment?

First, Paul realized that everything was a loss compared for the sake of knowing Christ, Philippians 3:7-10

Second,

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Paul renewed his mind, Romans 12:2

Third, Paul set his heart on things above, Colossians 3:1-2

Fourth, Paul realized that godliness with contentment is great , 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Fifth,

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Paul knew the value of prayer, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Romans 12:12

Paul also knew that Jesus is our model of contentment. Jesus was like us in every way expect for sin. He knows what it is like to be hungry, tired, lonely, disappointed and frustrated. But Jesus also gives us the ability to overcome the problems of everyday life. He is always in intercession for us and has given us His Holy Spirit.

In order to be effective disciples of Jesus, we need to be content with our lives and focus on bringing His kingdom to this world. When we do that, we can be assured that we are in His will and all things will work for our good.

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I surrender my life to the mission of Jesus in this world

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To be a disciple of Jesus and to help others become disciples of Jesus.

To love God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and body

To love my fellow human being as I love myself.

May everything I do today,

my words and actions,

be done in the name of Jesus

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bringing glory to God the Father.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

What would you add to this daily mission prayer?

What might your own prayer look like?

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So the question for us is: What am I going after? or What am I worshipping? Wargames: The Dead Code divx Diana: Last Days of a Princess Godzilla psp

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Am I going after things (idols) that are false, empty, distorted, counterfeit, insignificant? If so, then I will become just like them. Why is that? Because we are giving value to the things that we go after. When we hold these things up as the things that we are going to devote our life and ambition to, they begin to define us. If these “things” are false then our life becomes false because they define us.

But, if we choose to go after what is true…we become true!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

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When we go after (worship and give value to) God, we will be defined by God. Only when we go after the One that is True, can we truly discover our true identity – not some false, empty, distorted idea of who we are.

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George Mueller wrote that the “vigor of our spiritual life is in direct proportion to the place we hold the Bible in our thoughts.” The ultimate goal of the shaping and transforming is to lead a person into the “life that really is life”. Like other spiritual disciplines, reading Scripture is a means to an end. The “end game” of Scripture is the cultivation of a life that is lived in the Kingdom of God as an, as R. Paul Stevens and Michael Green put it, “ Abba Worshipper”, “Disciple of Jesus”, and “Temple of the Holy Sprit”.

God uses the Scriptures to teach us the way of Life in relationship with the Trinity. In the conversation with Scripture, we are shaped by the images, stories, heart and soul of the message within. The message that we find is ultimately found in Jesus. Jesus is the Word in flesh – the lived expression of the Word of God. In Jesus, we discover what true life is. All Scripture either points to or flows from Jesus. If in our reading the Bible we miss Jesus, we miss the point, and we miss finding life.

To read the Bible is not enough. Reading alone does not lead to life. God uses the Scriptures as a tool for our spiritual formation, but we must properly engage them with mind and heart, with “eye to the will of God” and a “fixed resolution to do” what God speaks to us, for he leads us to true and everlasting life. Perhaps the Psalmist best describes this life, which comes by the Word of God:

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Blessed are those
who do not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,

but who delight in the law of the LORD
and meditate on his law day and night.

They are like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

A Prayer:

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Lord, powerful and loving, Abba Father, author and perfector of life, thank you for giving us your holy Scriptures. Please help us to learn how to come them as your living and active Word. Let your Spirit be with us as we read, study, and meditate. Give us a listening ear and willing heart. As you challenge us to change, enable us to be obedient to your Voice knowing that you desire the best for us. In the name of Jesus, the Word made Flesh, amen.

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Submission and humility are prerequisites to this process of shaping and transformation. The Bible will not be controlled or manipulated, although many have attempted to do so. Our approach to the Bible is the first determining factor to whether or not we will experience the soul transformation God desires.

It is equally detrimental to approach it as either a detached scholar looking for information or as a superstitious reader in search of a magical answer. Neither approach will bring us to the starting point of reading the Scriptures for transformation – which is the goal of Christian spirituality. To approach the Bible as a detached scholar, the reader seeks to control the text and the outcome. The detached scholar is not interested in personally engaging with Scripture, but with collecting and analyzing data. When we seek to control the interaction and the outcome, we will not be transformed – only informed. We may amass data in our head, but it will never reach the locus of transformation – our heart. Likewise, the superstitious reader will miss the point of Scripture as he sees the Bible as a type of magical book. This type of approach will likely result in a hyper-spiritualized view of the Bible and will cause the reader to miss the potential for a concrete, real-life encounter. Also lacking is the disciplined, steady engagement with Scripture that allows the reader to be immersed in the whole redemptive story of the Bible.

Sleepwalking movie full To approach the Bible with an attitude of submission and humility, however, sets the stage for an encounter that will allow the Scriptures to shape and transform the reader. This humble submissive approach requires that the reader has what John Wesley called a “single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixed resolution to do it”. To be submitted is to have the intention to not try and manipulate the text to suit your own desire, but to allow it to do whatever God desires and lead in whatever direction God wants to go. In submission, we allow God to be the Master. In submission, we make the intention to listen, hear and obey what God speaks through the Scripture. Similarly, to approach and read with humility means to set ourselves under the Scripture as a student and allow them to teach us, because we acknowledge our own lack and need of transformation.

part 3: Mind and Heart

Discussion: What are some ways that we approach the Bible that may be counterproductive? Why do you think it’s important to have an attitude of submission and humility when reading the Bible?

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