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Pain

If there was another way, we would choose it. Pain gets our attention, it causes us to focus. It gets difficult to bear so we look for a way out. We will do anything to get rid of it. We seek to change our circumstances: a new job, a new house, a new spouse. If these circumstances were different, then maybe we would be pain free, maybe we would have peace in the absence of the present pain.

The problem is the pain follows us. It follows us into the next job, the next house, the next spouse. So we try to numb it; we get busy, really busy. We hurry and rush, so we don’t have to stop and feel… feel all that pain.

We stuff it in our backpacks, only to carry the heavy load for a few more years. Then yet again we will be forced to unpack it and try to figure out what to do with it.

This path of brokenness places us so close to getting the thing that we need. The very thing that God is trying to work into our character is through brokenness. In refusing to face the pain, we just keep going; going our own way.

Proverbs 27:12

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”

March 31, 2017 0

In the Court Room

judge-gavel

God often uses the things of this world to open my eyes to the things of His Kingdom. Today was one such day.

Being married is an adventure…. being married to a lawyer takes the adventure to an entirely new level. My husband is quite possibly the smartest man I know and his knowledge of his craft is fascinating to me. I rely on him for good counsel on many more occasions than I even realize and I trust his judgment for our family and for our lives.

John writes to us from his Revelation… “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of the brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10

There’s a courtroom where the Judge doesn’t reside from a bench but rather from a Throne! Our God resides in all authority over heaven and earth and His judgments are righteous, they are just, they are holy and they are final. Can you see Him? He’s not wringing His hands wondering what He’ll decide or how He’ll rule on any case brought before Him! The One in authority never flinches when a case is brought in to Him. But who does He allow to bring accusations to His throne? Satan.

He’s called the “accuser of the brethren”. When is this accuser allowed to present his claims against us? “Day and night”. Where are we? Back here on earth, out of earshot of the actual accusation, but feeling its evil effects nonetheless.

Does the Judge know who He’s listening to? Does He actually allow this accuser to stand before Him and even speak in His presence?

As I look from my elementary perspective at the scene of this courtroom I’m anxious and overwhelmed at the whole thing! There are knots in my stomach because in the deepest part of me I wonder if the accusations might have some validity. Could those things he’s saying actually be true? Will my relationship with the Judge be tarnished because of the accusations? How can I defend myself?

All these thoughts led me to call on my husband for a more clear perspective. I asked him about people that go into courtrooms to represent themselves on their own behalf. He explained to me that it happens sometimes and, depending on the judge, there’s some leniency with regard to these “pro se” defendants. They are allowed to present their case and defend their position in the court without the guidance of legal counsel, but the rules of order and the traditions of the court are often not held to such strict or high standards for many of those choosing to come before the judge pro se.

Sadly, the other lawyers in the room often have an unspoken opinion of those who choose this path for themselves. A couple of different ideas become evident: either the affiant has exhausted all his other options for legal counsel and no lawyer will represent him; or, in his arrogant estimation of his own abilities he’s decided he can “play the part” of legal counsel without having been formally trained to do so.

My husband also clarified that for criminal cases where the gravity of the outcome of the case is so great, the pro se affiant must undergo strict counseling, mental examinations, and would be held to a stricter guideline. I can’t begin to imagine standing before a judge facing consequences ranging from complete freedom to the penalty of death with only my own counsel to defend me! All would surely be lost.

This morning I tell you that I am free! The anxious thoughts are gone and the knots have been loosed! I’ve seen the other side of the courtroom. I have counsel!! I have a representative! And His name is Jesus!! The debt I owe has been paid in full and the Judge has dropped His gavel and pronounced me “Free”!

This morning I am able to sit quietly at the feet of my Savior, the One who represents me “day and night” and who pleads my case for me. The Judge doesn’t wring His hands over my case because its already been settled! He knows what I do not know. He sees what I cannot see. The accusations of the liar do not cause His robe of righteousness to tremble or shake. My Judge doesn’t look to me for truth, He is the truth. He doesn’t look to me for a good defense on my own behalf, He looks to His own Son who willingly paid the punishment that was surely coming to me. What does the Judge see when He looks at me? He sees an overcomer!

“And they overcame him {the accuser of the brethren} because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death”. Revelation 12:11

Written by Rhonda Walters

March 3, 2017 1

The Me You See is the Me You’ll Be – Dr. Adrian Rogers

This message aired on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk Ministry broad cast recently. Dr. Adrian Rogers was a well loved and respected man of God. Listen to this message from 1997 where Dr. Rogers preaches on our new identity in Christ. mirror

Click HERE to Listen.

SUMMARY

– Grace is God’s acceptance of us.

-Faith is our acceptance of God’s acceptance of us.

-Peace is our acceptance of us.

-Love is our acceptance of others.

-Fellowship is others’ acceptance of us.

-This all begins with and grows from the grace of God and ultimately allows us to love and fellowship with others. If we don’t realize and accept what God has already done, then we can’t love ourselves, and therefore, we can’t love others.

February 14, 2017 0

Break Free From Your Past

December 5, 2016 1

Session 8- Handling Emotions Well

Our emotions are a product of what we believe. Anxiety, Depression, Fear, and Anger are are fruits of our beliefs. If we are stuck in bondage to any of these, we must change what we think about and how we think. Romans 12:2

Session 08

October 31, 2016 0

Amanda’s Freedom Story

Amanda’s Story from tbclife on Vimeo.

June 20, 2016 0

A New Class Begins in August!

June 6, 2016 0

Staying on the Right Path – Session 13 Summary

path-choise

Success comes from having the right goals
Significance comes from proper use of time
Fulfillment comes from serving others
Satisfaction comes from living a quality life
Happiness comes from wanting what we have
Fun come from enjoying life moment by moment
Security comes from focusing on eternal values
Peace comes from quieting the inner storm

By intentionally spending time with God every day and remaining in the divine identity given through Christ, we will continue to move towards the maturity that will be perfectly fulfilled in eternity. As Christians, we have been sealed with Christ along with every blessing extended to and through Christ; we will never lose our relationship with Christ. None can match His power nor His love. His promises are eternal, and death is only the beginning of the true life meant to be lived within the glory of God.
            Christ has redeemed us for both a mortal purpose and an immortal purpose. As we spiritually mature over time, we see how this life is being used to reach others and to prepare us to have a full life in Christ. Although we are bombarded with thoughts and temptations to turn our attention and identity elsewhere, we must remain under the protective armor of Christ and not put any item, goal, or person above Christ and His eternal purpose. If we reach a point where we misdirect our spiritual focus and become falsely satisfied with where we are, we will voluntarily subject ourselves to the deceptive influences of the enemy and will begin to move down a spiritually destructive path. A conscious effort is made on our part to keep ourselves rightly focused and from being victimized by the enemy, but we need not resort to a hollow life of legalism and fear. We cannot earn God’s approval; in eternity past, we have already been given every spiritual blessing and the infinite love of Christ. Life in Christ is a living, breathing relationship that is nurtured by our daily response to the never-ending love of Christ.
            As we daily respond to the calling and the love of Christ, we should go forward with full confidence in who Christ is and who we are in Christ. We can be content in all situations and release to God the circumstances that are beyond our control, allowing these to drive us to the loving arms of our sovereign Lord. God created each of us with a unique purpose, and we will only be fully satisfied in this life by walking down this path that has been set before us; although filled with mystery, the steps down this path have been ordered and blessed by the hand of God, which gives us comfort through every stage of our journey. Even when we are tempted to question the sovereignty of God or to become filled with doubts as we look at another person’s path, gifts, or blessings, we are able to be comforted by the truth of God’s word, His revealed hand in our lives, and the witness of the Holy Spirit within us. God’s idea of success is wrapped within His purpose and how our path has been intricately plotted within His full design. God knows the bigger picture, and resting within His understanding and thriving within His purpose provide us with true joy and fulfillment in this mortal life. And, because of His sovereignty, He can use our lives to speak to others. Our testimony is His story, His love, and His mercy tangibly expressed and displayed in the here and now.
            As we stay focused on God’s goal, we enter into an eternal perspective and remain on the path that He has ordered for our lives. We are able to rightly view our time and our gifts as a ministry that God can use. Through a willful, daily surrender of ourselves, we will be investing in the eternal. All earthly goals bring about temporary drive and satisfaction, which eventually vanish. But, since God is eternal, every God-centered goal and action creates an eternal investment. Because of our eternal identity with Christ and Heavenly citizenship, we know that all of our needs of acceptance, security, and significance will be perfectly satisfied in eternity. In light of this view that God has revealed to us through Christ, we are moved in our spirit by the love of God and feel a drawing towards the eternal aspects of life. Consequently, we are able to feel assured that we can boldly face whatever challenge comes our way because we hear His voice and can move forward regardless. The writings of Paul display this confident assurance and eternal perspective, as he guarantees the joy found in living for Christ and the confidence in His provision. Christ revealed that all of His children are not identified by the past but by the love, the security, the acceptance, and the significance that the risen Son of God has extended. Although Paul had suffered many perils, he knew that a personal God of love was sustaining him and had sealed his life for a purpose that no person nor power could block. Despite earthly trouble, he could joyfully thrive, knowing that he was dwelling within the merciful hand of the Father who had prepared the way and met all his needs, beyond human expectation and explanation. Paul had personally experienced the hand of Christ reaching down to touch His life and change his heart, which provided a platform for an unwavering faith that was fully satisfied in the eternal person of Christ.
            This willful, personal involvement of Christ in our lives drives us to a voluntary life of service to Christ and to a confidence that He has sovereignly gone before us to make our pathway straight. As we clearly discern the voice of God through a living, daily relationship, we allow the peace of Christ to reign within our souls. Because of this, we can confidently walk through any situation, stay focused on who we are in Christ, and see the revealed hand of God who defines our life in Him and through His vision of perfection. In Christ, we have full joy, acceptance, security, significance, and identity. In Christ, we are free.

December 18, 2015 0

Where Are You Heading? – Session 12 Summary

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Belief founds the basis of our personal goals and desires, which in turn guides the direction of our choices. God’s goals and our goals are originally different. His goals were divinely established before time, while our goals and desires can be easily influenced and altered in the moment by the world and the surrounding circumstances. But, if our beliefs are rooted in Christ and how He sees us as His children who are set apart, we will submit to the Godly goals and desires placed within us and spoken over us by God and align our hearts with His will.

God places desires within our hearts to provide us with a drive, a passion, and a hunger for Himself and His goals. These desires may or may not be fulfilled within this life, but God is goal-oriented. Though Godly desires are a gift from God, He is looking for those who will dedicate those desires back to the original Giver so that He can transform these desires into Christ-centered actions in order to accomplish His overall goal of redeeming mankind.

At times, our personal goals are blocked, which can lead to anger, anxiety, and depression; however, God uses these emotions to alert us that our focus and sense of purpose has shifted from His goal to our goals.

Until we are challenged and see our resulting mental, spiritual, and physical reactions, we live in deception and move towards self-reliance, apart from the grace of God intervening to awaken us to the reality of our spiritual walk with Him. Whether the resistance comes from inward frustration or from outward conflict, God can still use these situations to redirect us and draw out what He has already placed inside of us as saints. He has ordained a purpose for our lives that completes an essential puzzle piece of His overall goal. If we give Him our whole lives, including our weaknesses and our strengths, He can use us in unimaginable ways. In His mercy and love, God can create good out of any circumstance so that our lives become a living testament to the power of God. There is no person, power, or circumstance that can thwart what God has already ordained.

When viewed through the lens of Christ’s model, we see that circumstances can be used beyond man-made possibilities. God is able to bring blessing from the enemy’s ill-intended temptations and trials by divinely molding us within this pressurized environment to reveal more of Himself in us. In our flesh, the initial response seems to be manipulation of the person, the circumstance, or the behavior, but if we resist the work and discipline of God, we will miss the blessing embedded within the trial. God is more interested in spiritually developing and healing us.

As we continually submit to the molding of God, He is able to move more freely through our lives by cultivating His virtues in us. God is a rewarder of those who seek Him and daily come to Him in faith. As we exercise this faith, He is able to continually fill us with His Holy Spirit and make evident His mercy and goodness to others, which propels us towards a life of integrity and excellence so as to be an accurate reflection of God’s character. When we experience the revelation of who God really is and allow this to impact our day-to-day life, we move beyond an intellectual experience and into an active, living relationship. From this revealed understanding of the Creator, submission of our thoughts, desires, and emotions to Him becomes a priority because we do not want to move outside of this union with God and behave out of impulse. We are able to persevere through all trials because we are submitted to the will of the Father and know His fingerprint is sovereignly evident in all circumstances. This exhibits a growth in Christ-likeness, which gives way for His compassion to move through us. This outward expression of compassion, untainted by human motivation or profit, reveals the personal and unconditional love of God to each person. Love is the greatest gift that God has given to us and that God can use to draw others to Himself. The love of Christ is the foundation of freedom in Christ.

December 11, 2015 0

FREEDOM IN CHRIST

Transforming Discipleship – MISSISSIPPI

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