Newness of Life With Surprises.

  Surprise, surprise, surprise. Ever been in on a surprise party for someone or been the recipient of one?  Or have you ever been startled or astonished by a surprise visit or gift?
  I was minding my own business on a walk a few days ago, headphones delivering some tunes as I scooted down the sidewalk, when out of the corner of my eye a dog appeared a foot away from me, followed by its owner.  The surprise came simply because I did not hear their approach, and it caught me off guard.
  I think it happens in our lives too, that we see some surprises and learn to be "un-surprised" as we walk in newness of life.

  "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you." - 1 Peter 4:12

  Sometimes it seems easy to start to wonder why tough times show up, but we can be comforted by God's Word to know that these difficult days or circumstances can come, but God is sovereign, wise, and good.  We cannot handle it all. Oh, but He can.
 
  If we really are living a life that is transformed by our Savior, a watching world will notice.

  "Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do.  So they slander you." - 1 Peter 4:4

  No longer being accustomed to the world's ways of doing things, a new worldview develops and we can shine like a noonday sun shower, reflecting God's goodness and grace.  And our changed lives will spark all sorts of reactions from folks (even hatred - see 1 John 3:13), but will definitely give excellent opportunities to share the truth of the gospel.
  This changed life is also nurtured by our spending quality time with God in reading and studying His Word and worship and setting our mind on His glorious return.

  "But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the LORD comes like a thief." - 1 Thessalonians 5:4

  "You are an instrument through whom God displays His holiness in the world. If His name is to be hallowed on earth as it is in heaven, it must first be hallowed in your life. That occurs when you believe in Him, understand who He really is, maintain an awareness of His presence, and obey His Word. That high calling sets you apart from every unbeliever. Live today in light of that glorious calling."- John MacArthur
  Take heart in knowing that though surprises may come and scare or threaten us, God's promises to be with us as His very own children will help us have strength for our journey.

A prayer:
  Dear LORD, I stand amazed at Your power and majesty and long to know You more. Please draw me close and then let me reflect Your light in this life.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

 
 
 

Newness of Life Deeper and Higher.

  Do you have a favorite road you like to travel?  Is there a familiar street or scenic highway that takes you down memory lane or to a place you enjoy? Most of the time, these avenues will cut both ways, helping us to a particular destination and also bring us back home.
  There's a two-way street running through our lives as we strive to walk in newness of life, growing in grace and knowledge of God.  We grow and go higher as we experience and marvel at His grace and embrace freedom through relying on Him and trusting Him and choosing to obey His commands.  There is also the balancing act of going deeper by searching and understanding the truth that He has revealed in His Word.  Like a Southern Pine tree can sometimes be prone to be out of balance, growing seemingly strong and tall, but shallow roots just underground bring a danger of it falling helplessly to the ground in fierce winds, we can find ourselves becoming timber-like too.
  Two keys rule the day- daily diligence in growing downward by spending time with God in His Word and growing upward by experiencing His matchless grace in prayer and reliance upon Him as we remember His promises and protection and provisions.
 
  Key 1 - Growing in the knowledge of Him.

" ...that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." - Colossians 1:9b- 10

  Some days the rain comes down hard and wild and threatens our very lives.  Do you know what fish do when the hard rains fall?  They do not get worried, they do not let what is happening at the surface control their actions.  What they do is just go deeper.  We can too. And we should. Regularly. Resolutely. Expectantly. We find a time and place to spend moments with God reading and studying the Scriptures and quietly and confidently grow in knowledge that matters.

Key 2 - Growing in grace.

  " But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

   We also grow upward as we trust God and apply to life what we have been taught by Him in those times of difficulty and even delight.  We reach and arrive at places we have never seen or even dreamed because we aim to do exactly what He has called and gifted us to do and ask Him to do what only He can in us and around us. Then we see the amazing grace we sometimes sing about shine forth in a dazzling and unforgettable display.  What might God do with the lives we live if we really strive to please Him instead of everybody else?  What pain might melt away that we have dealt with for what seems like forever if we really trust He has everything under control?  Whose lives would we see transformed and souls joining us in eternity when we share the good news of the gospel each opportunity that we get?  Let us pursue Him and be sharing His truth.
  "There is only one passion in life worth your total pursuit.  And that is to love and serve Christ in such a way that you win the race and receive His approval." - Tony Evans
  Walking in newness of life lets us see from the fresh perspective that every single brand new day is a gift from God's hand and that we can live balanced and growth filled lives of fulfillment, deeper and higher and closer to His heart.

A prayer:
  Heavenly Father, would you help me to grow closer to You and to live courageously in letting everyone I know about Your Son, Jesus? I want to pursue You like never before. In the name of Jesus I ask, Amen.