Newness of Life Steps To Take.

  As I celebrate Christmastime with my family and the wonder of God sending His Son into the world to give us a Living Hope and freedom, I think about the steps He made.  He stepped out of the glory of Heaven to enter our world and stepped in to our lives, calling us to come to Him and follow Him in newness of life.  He also stepped around the obstacles that seemed to bar him entrance into the purpose of which He came.  He stepped up in living a life of righteousness and integrity and was, in fact, perfect and without sin so that He could be our spotless sacrifice as He gave up His life so that we might live eternally.
  As we walk in this incredible trek of life He has laid out for each of us, we also have the opportunities to make and take the steps that bring us joy in this journey and further towards our ultimate destination.
  *Stepping up.  As we step up and make choices to live with integrity and an eternal perspective and living to please God instead of other people first, we experience some tremendous blessings.

  "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in His way." - Psalm 37:23

  As we take the steps of obedience, though definitely sometimes hard, and take time to delight in the LORD in reading and studying the Bible, His Word, and in showing Him worth by living worthy lives marked by worship - it is then that we can be assured that the directions we take are true North and full of rejoicing, knowing He is there with us.

  *Stepping out.  There are timed we simply need to step out in faith.  There are moments when we come to an uncrossable river or gorge and can take what God says and promises in His Word and step out to see the bridge appear below us.  Praying that God will grow our faith and strengthen us along the way is always a step out and ahead.  And He makes known to us the absolute best direction as we ask Him as we treasure the Scriptures.

  "You make known to me the path of life:  in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.: - Psalm 16:11

  *Stepping around/over/through.  Many times as we venture out into life we run into things that trip us up or weigh us down or pull us back or darken our view.  The three enemies of our soul rear their ugly heads, sometimes ferociously like a lion, and threaten to attempt to undo us, but as we follow Christ and trust and obey Him, we stay on track.  Also, when the trials and tribulations of this world bring us to places of confusion or intense pain, He lets us know that though we walk in the valleys and shadows for a season, He is with us a very present help in trouble.  When the pain of the present or the past arises, we have the chance to step through valleys and around the things that have tried to block us from moving fearlessly ahead.  With His comfort and guidance, the road is navigable and even can hold joy.  And another way of traversing the more difficult times is by surrounding ourselves with others who give godly advice and comfort, along with using the sound mind that He has given us as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.

  "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps." - Proverbs 14:15

  *Stepping in.  There are times we simply cannot stand back and let things happen.  The time sometimes comes to be brave, ask God for wisdom, and step in to help others.  Showing sacrificial love to others by leaning and working to bring reconciliation, giving extravagantly like God does, and forgetting about inconveniences to us so that we can share the good news are examples.  We are rewarded more than we can imagine, too.
  "God will not be behindhand in love to us.  For our drop of love to Him, we shall receive an ocean of His love." - Thomas Watson

  *Stepping up.  Stepping up our game, living to please the LORD in our life, following Him in total abandon is the avenue to travel. 
 
  "For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps." - 1 Peter 2:21

  It takes courage, but following in His steps is walking in newness of life that begins to bring glory to God, who is worthy of all honor and praise and glory.  Never move on from that - His goodness and grace and mercy and majesty that know no end.

A prayer:
  Dear Father in Heaven, I stand amazed by You, gripped by Your greatness.  As I take the steps of walking in newness of life, let me follow closer to your Son's footsteps and please give me courage and clarity in sharing the greatest news ever told.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.



 

Newness of Life With His Benefits.

  As Christmastime has hurried upon us again, and gifts are bought and delivered and opened and great food is shared, it is hard not to think about the goodness and gifts from God.
  The benefits we think about in a savory  dinner or a new gadget or toys that garner our attention can't really compare to all the benefits that come from an awesome God who cares for His own.
  Psalm 103:2 helps us to remember:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and forget not all His benefits."
  First and foremost is the amazing gift of Jesus Himself.
 
  "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given..." - Isaiah 9:6

  The problem each person faces is inside of us, sin.  The only answer is outside of us.  Each person has gone our own way and broken God's law.  The incredibly good news is that Jesus Christ kept God's law and chose to die in the place of sinners.  If you have not trusted in Jesus as LORD and Savior, today is the day to do so.
   And if we have trusted Christ and are set free,  we should be bold to take the opportunities given to us to share the gospel, at a time when people are more thoughtful and may very well be more likely to listen to the truth of what the good news is all about.
  Also in Isaiah 9:6, we see more of the incredibly good benefits given by God to His own as we look at the names for Jesus that He reveals to us.

  "...and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

  *  Wonderful Counselor.  I think about how thankful I am to have wise and caring parents who have helped me innumerable times with sound advice.  I much more so  cannot be thankful enough to God for His counsel.  He is our first and best resort, not our last. The untold riches of wisdom and being closer to His heart by reading and studying the Bible are available and inexhaustible.  Hope will arise as the benefit of knowing He is perfect and sovereign.
  *  Mighty God.  No one, nothing is more powerful than He. As you think about the impossible things that begin to appear as mountains in life at Christmastime or other times, take some moments to realize and remember how awesome He really is and then let Him know by giving Him praise and giving Him a return of worship.  Joy will arise and be our benefit as we do.
  * Everlasting Father. From before time began to 10,000 years into eternity, He has never changed and will not.  His love truly endures forever.  Love will arise and grow as our benefit as we love Him and love others.
  *  Prince of Peace.  No matter what good times or tough times come into life, His greatest good is our benefit. Trust Him for He is Faithful and True.

  Walking in newness of life is walking with thankfulness for all His benefits and  knowing that the good news is still good and those around us still need to know of His perfect love.

  A prayer.
Father in Heaven, thank you for the indescribable gift of Your Son, Jesus, and the benefits of knowing you.  Please help me to be bold in sharing what this season is really all about.  I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Newness of Life Being Committed.

  Are you the same everywhere?  At work, in the marketplace, in the public eye, at church, or home on the range, it is essential to show our true colors.
  As a committed believer in Christ, we have the opportunity for influence at any given moment.  Actually, we make an impact ever single day, either good or bad.  As we grasp the gift of navigating our time walking in newness of life, we are able to live with a heart of total commitment to Him in service to Him and sharing the good news of the gospel every chance we get.
  At least three reasons for giving total commitment to Him are: to have a closer walk with God, to encourage other believers, and to bring people to Him.
  Spending time with Him in His Word is the way to know Him more and let your love for Him grow exponentially.  When we find a specific place and set aside a certain time and a open the Bible in our hands, with our heart's focus and mind on His truth, we are starting and staying in the best place imaginable.  Asking Him to reveal His truth to us and reaffirm what He has previously taught us and renew our minds will bring us ever closer to His heart.  It is then, as we have regularly treasured time with Him, that we walk throughout our days with a greater peace, a greater expectancy of seeing His goodness, and a greater love for the same things he loves.
  A commitment to Christ involves surrender...which is the key that unlocks the vault of God's best and deepest treasure and extensive benefits of knowing His ways.
  Edification is the building up of others.  It involves encouragement, along with the strengthening power of stirring others up by helping them know when they are getting it right and turning away from wrong actions.

  "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." - Hebrews 10:23-24

  In a world where discouragement and harmful blends of sarcasm seem to rule the day, walking in newness of life and encouraging others is vital.
  Then there is a third reason to be "all in" in our commitment to Him- to bring people to Him.  I do not have to tell you that this world is not getting better.  People need to know the hope given to those who are followers of Jesus, which is forgiveness of sin, grace for now and eternal life.
  The clear sign of your faith is not just what you say, but what you do.

  "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22

   We can claim to be committed, but do people call us committed?  Two things will stand out with your true commitment:
  * Your faith will be obvious.  If I were wearing a blue shirt tomorrow morning and came up to you and said, "Good morning, I'm wearing a blue shirt.", what might you think?  You do not have to call attention to that which is obvious.  So, displaying the marks of faith in God, such as humility and devotion to a task and passion (burning commitment towards His commands) and especially, love, will help point people to God.
  *  You will have a contagious spirit (enthusiasm).  Apathy and complacency can only be overcome by enthusiasiasm.  It is a life set apart for the cause of Christ.  There is really no such thing as an uninfluential Christian, as we will impact either in a good way or negatively. 
  "Nothing can keep you and me from living lives of power, meaning, and vibrancy, from making decisions based on the transcendent, biblical principles that should guide our lives...when we decide to live by them, we are freed up to live with passion and principle, joy and calling." - Richard L. Ganz
  We can live a contagiously good life, complete with everything we need for life and godliness, given graciously from His hand.

A prayer:
  Father, as I know You more, please change me to be more like Your Son, and please let me show enthusiasm and be a person that never shies away from telling the good news of the gospel.  In the matchless name of Jesus I pray, Amen.