Ah, Peace with God

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (New International Version) - Romans 5:1,2

Peace with God , can there be anything more wonderful than that? Just to know that everything between you and God is good. No sin separating, no disapproval coming from Heaven, no need to feel guilt or shame. What an awesome existence!

Top that with the fact that we did nothing to earn this blissful relationship with God. We couldn't do enough to earn it and yet, God extended His love and grace to bring us into his family - that's grace! In fact, that's the very definition of grace; unmerited, unearned favor.

Yes, God extends His grace to us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, yet not everyone reaches out to take it - to embrace all that has been done for us so that we might experience peace with God and the assured hope of eternal life spent with Him. Why? Why do those who've heard the story of God's plan of salvation reject it?

To some it seems too simple, surely we must do something to earn it - to pay for all the sin we've committed in our lives. For others, it may be a matter of pride, because in order to receive this salvation by grace we must first admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. And others trip over the faith aspect of salvation. They won't believe anything they can't see, feel, touch or understand. Their intellect gets in the way of their spirit.

Oh, what peace we forfeit when, in our stubbornness we choose to reject the grace of God.

I implore you, my unseen friend...reach out to God in faith, for He's reaching out to you with grace. Accept the amazing gift of salvation that He's provided through His Son, seek His forgiveness, surrender your life and you will never regret it, because you will experience joy and peace like you've never known before.

His hand is extended to you. Will you reach out and take it?

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Ole' - Aim for the right target!

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (New International Version 1984) - Ephesians 6:12

Photo courtesy Vasco Casquilho,
fotopedia.com

I heard a great illustration about this once.

Imagine a bullfight. (stick with me, now)

The bullfighter is Satan.
You are the bull.
The bullfighter's cape represents those people in your live that irritate, infuriate and cause you problems.

(still with me?)

The bull is irritated by the cape being flashed around in front of him. He lowers his head and charges, attacking the cape with all his fury - and he get's nowhere. If he were a smart bull, he would quickly realize that the cape is just a tool used by the bullfighter to anger and distract him. If he were a smart bull, he would attack the bullfighter , not the cape.

The moral of the story is the next time you are struggling with another person, remember...

...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (New International Version 1984) - Ephesians 6:12

Attack the situation with prayer, not by charging headlong into an argument with another person, not by trying to fix a bad situation. Start with prayer and allow God to open your eyes to the real issues. Let Him determine your course of action and you'll come out victorious.

Ole'

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

No More Whining

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (New International Version 1984) - Luke 6:35

This verse has special meaning to me. You see, several years ago we sold a truck to a friend for much less than we felt we could get elsewhere, because...well, because he was our friend. He needed a vehicle to get back and forth to work, but didn't have much money. We let him take possession of the truck with the agreement that he would make 9 monthly payments. He made one payment. That's all.

While our friend was not my enemy and we never had harsh words over it, as the months passed, it did cause hard feelings in my heart. Feelings that I let fester. Feelings that gradually built a wall between us. This is not acceptable for a child of God.

I whined to God - Lord, we were trying to help him out and look what he did to us. You know we could use the money. Why would you allow him to treat us like that? Whaa-whaa-whaa ...

Pitiful, right?

Well, God has used this verse to remind me that He gives, He loves, He is kind - even to those who are wicked and ungrateful. He reminded me that everything I have was given to me by Him and that I don't need to fuss about what is "owed" to me. Now, when we lend, we truly consider it a gift. If the person decides to pay it back, wonderful, if not, that's okay, too, because God is our provider and because giving freely emulates the Father's gift to us.

No more whining...well, at least not about people who don't pay me back. I'm still workin' on some other stuff.

Aren't we all?     

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Wise Up!

Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (New International Version 1984) - Hosea 14:9

When I read this verse, I wondered...What is it the wise man realizes? What is it that the discerning man understands?

I found the answer when I went back and read the verses leading up to our Verse of the Day.

Hosea 14:1-2

1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God.
Your sins have been your downfall!
2 Take words with you
and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
“Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
that we may offer the fruit of our lips

Hosea 14:4

4 “I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them." (New International Version 1984)

What the wise man realizes and the discerning man understands is that repentance leads to forgiveness and blessings from God. And, yes, the rebellious stumble on this truth because they are unwilling to confess their sin and seek forgiveness, then they wonder why they are not experiencing the blessings of God.

It may surprise you to know that I'm not talking about unbelievers here, but those of us who are Christ followers. Those who have asked Him to be Lord of our lives, but still cling to some areas of rebellion - areas of our behavior, habits or thought lives that we know are not pleasing to God, but we are unwilling to let go of.

It's a simple equation...

Confession + Repentance = A life that God can bless

Refusal to Confess + Refusal to Repent = "Good luck, my friend!"

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Hitting the Wall

"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." Isaiah 50:6-8

Long distance runners often talk about hitting the wall. That's the point in a race where your body begins to cry out in pain, your legs feel like concrete, your mental process slows down and the urge to quit is almost overwhelming.

Photo courtest  lusi, rgbstock.com

In order to battle this phenomenon, the athlete develops a strategy ahead of time that will allow him to push past the wall. Perhaps it's a mantra he chants,a change in pace, fluids and snacks he can eat on the run. These strategies deliver renewed energy, both physical and mental, that allow him to push past the wall, to experience the victory of finishing the race and finishing it strong.

Sometimes as Christians, we're running the race of life when suddenly we hit the wall, spiritually. Life is not a sprint, it's a marathon and at some point we all find ourselves worn out, beat down and barely trudging along. Our once strong faith has been stretched to the limit and we may find ourselves wondering if we are running this race solo.

Just like the athlete, we need a predetermined strategy to assure that we are able to fortify ourselves for the next leg of the race.  Here are some of the things that have helped me when I find myself spiritually exhausted.

• Slow the pace - trim excess activities from your schedule until you catch a second wind.

"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

"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

•  Nourish yourself - spend time in the Word of God and prayer

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,"  1 Peter 2:2

"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

•  Talk with the "coach" - spend time in prayer, asking God to renew your strength

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

• Find some cheerleaders - develop friendships with other believers so that you can mutually encourage one another through the race.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

• Beware of sabotage - you have an enemy and he will use whatever he can, be it circumstances or other people to trip you up. Be prepared to avoid any temptation and overcome any obstacle he puts in your way.

 "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you." Galatians 5:7-8

• Keep your eye on the finish line - this life is temporary, but we have a prize at the end of this race that far out weighs the difficulties and challenges we experience here.

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 

• Remember, you are not running this race alone

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 

• Take time to enjoy the scenery along the way

"put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17b 

Photo courtesy Ambroz, rgbstock.com

It's a beautiful world we live in, created by our Heavenly Father. His plan is for us to enjoy our time here, to take in the majestic mountains, lush foliage, brilliantly colored flowers, amazing wildlife, develop loving relationships with others and most of all, to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37)

Enjoy the race and FINISH STRONG!

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Sandpaper People

Photo courtesy John De Boer, rgbstock.com

Sandpaper - paper that's been covered with an abrasive such as sand or glass. Used to smooth or polish the surface of an object by scraping away the rough exterior to reveal the beauty beneath.
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Have you ever refinished an old piece of furniture? The process involves lots of sanding to cut through and remove layers of wax, varnish and paint until you can see the beauty of the raw wood with all its grains in varying shades and even the knots that make it truly a unique piece.  It's a lot of hard work, but the end result is beautiful

When we come to Christ, God begins a sanding process on us to strip away all the rough layers we've built up. Layers that protect or cover up what's really inside.  He knows how He created you-who He made you to be and He will not let up until He sees the real you shining forth.

How does He do it? Sandpaper!

Sometimes He uses difficult circumstances and sometimes He uses difficult people.  I call these Sandpaper People.

They're abrasive, frustrating and annoying. They make your life difficult. They hurt you. And when their life rubs up against yours, it's painful.

They strip away the smooth exterior we try so hard to maintain only to reveal some ugly layers that lie beneath. Anger, impatience, prejudice, unforgiveness...these are just a few of the things that God uses Sandpaper People to reveal. Not so He can point a finger and say how bad you are, but so that we are aware of what's still lingering under the new surface of your relationship with Christ - so that we can offer those things up to Him for forgiveness and healing.

So, the next time you rub up against one of those Sandpaper People, instead of getting mad, take a moment to ask yourself what it is that God is trying to show you about yourself and then let him smooth away that layer to reveal a newer you.

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving me just the way I am, but also for loving me too much to leave me this way. I welcome you to change those things in me that need changing so that I might be the person you created me to be. I know it will be painful at times, but I am willing to go through the sanding process so that my life will be a beautiful testimony of your transformational power. Amen
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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Iron Sharpens Iron

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17 NLT

Do you have a friend who keeps you on your spiritual toes? One who listens to what's on your heart, then has a ready word of encouragement, comfort or even admonition when the occasion calls for it?

Photo courtesy,  lusi  rgbstock.com

Do you have a friend who will give you godly advice when you have a decision to make? One who pull you back from the brink of destruction when they see you about to make a huge mistake?

Do you have a friend who will pray for you on a regular basis, love you as you are, but also tell you (in a frank, but loving way) when you are being a jerk?

Have you given anyone in your life the permission to be this kind of friend?

If you answered yes to these questions, you are blessed indeed.

I have a couple of friends like this and they keep me grounded in Christ, while encouraging me to be all God made me to be.

Of course, in order to have relationships like this, one must be willing to open up to another, to share who you really are, flaws and all. Then you must be willing to allow them to speak freely into your life without taking offense.

You hear them out, take what they say into careful consideration, pray, asking God to show you what to hold onto and what to let go of and most of all, you return the favor. You be that kind of friend in return.

We were never meant to do life on our own, but to walk in fellowship with others.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12


Prayer:
Father, thank you for the friends you have put into my life. Help us to develop our relationships to the point that we are willing to allow one another to sharpen us spiritually. Help me to be that kind of friend to those that you placed in my life. Amen

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)