Not Anymore 2 Corinthians 5:17 #Nightlight #RTTBROS

Not Anymore 2 Corinthians 5:17  #Nightlight #RTTBROS

2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

The concept of "I am not that person anymore" is a powerful one. It reminds us that we are new creatures in Christ and that our old selves have passed away. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

The illustration of a missing person search where the only picture used on the missing persons poster was a 5th grade photo and the missing person is in their 60's is a great way to illustrate this concept. You wouldn't be successful in your search because for all practical purposes that 5th grader doesn't exist anymore. This is similar to how we are not the same people we were before we came to Christ. We have been transformed into new creatures with new features.

"Satan knows your name but calls you by your sin but God knows your sin and calls you by your name." This quote is a great reminder that our identity as believers is in Christ. We have a new identity in Him and we are no longer defined by our past sins or mistakes. We are defined by who we are in Christ.

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Plateau Of Latent Potential Rom 12:2 #Nightlight #RTTBROS

Plateau Of Latent Potential Rom 12:2  #Nightlight #RTTBROS

Romans 12:2  says: "Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind? It means to change the way you think, feel, and act according to God's word and will. It means to let go of the worldly values, habits, and attitudes that keep you from living a godly life. It means to allow God to work in you and through you by his Spirit and grace.

But how does this transformation happen? Is it instant or gradual? Is it easy or hard? Is it visible or invisible?

The truth is, transformation is often a slow process. It takes time, effort, and perseverance. It involves trials, tests, and challenges. It requires faith, hope, and love.

Think of an ice cube. When you put it in a warm room, it starts to melt. But you don't see any change until it reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Until then, it looks solid and frozen. But inside, there is a lot of activity going on. The molecules are moving faster and faster, breaking the bonds that hold them together. The ice cube is changing from a solid to a liquid state.

The same is true for us. When we expose ourselves to God's word, his presence, his people, and his purposes, we start to melt. But we don't see any change until we reach a certain point. Until then, we may look the same as before. But inside, there is a lot of activity going on. Our thoughts are changing, our feelings are changing, our actions are changing. We are changing from being conformed to this world to being transformed by God.

This is what James Clear calls the Plateau of Latent Potential. He says: "Breakthrough moments are often the result of many previous actions, which build up the potential required to unleash a major change."

So don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results in your transformation. Don't give up if you face obstacles or setbacks in your journey. Don't compare yourself with others who may seem more advanced or successful than you.

Remember that God is working in you and for you. He has a good plan for your life. He will complete what he started in you.

As Max Lucado says: "God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."

So keep melting. Keep renewing your mind. Keep following God's will.

And one day, you will see the change.

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Developing The Discipline of a Disciple 1 Cor. 14:40

God is a God of Order. We should be a people whose lives are ordered 

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.  1 Cor 14:40 King James Version (KJV)

When moving from a feeling based life to a faith based life you need to establish new habits. These habits are the daily recommitments to build a structure of faith in your life strong enough to stand the test of the storms. A couple you can start with today.

1. Get up as soon as your alarm goes off. No snooze get a jump on your day. See this day as an opportunity to experience Gods love in a fresh way. Look for his love and grace.

2. Make you bed before going about your other activities.  It will make you feel better and more ordered (God is a God of order and each step we take in that direction is good) plus at the end of a hard day you can think about that freshly made bed as a reward for doing the hard things required of us.

3. Get proper sleep. Build a bed time routine that tells your body it is time to recharge right now. Read your verses out loud before  going to sleep. Write down anything that is rattling around in your brain so you can deal with it tomorrow and get rest tonight.

4. Eat right get less carbs and more protein veggies and unprocessed foods.

That is a good start I will suggest more down the road

Change is Movement Neh 6:15,16

change is movement.

Change and rebuilding is one simple stone at a time. Rebuilding doesn't happen by others doing it for you. We desire their walls to be strong and firm with a good foundation, but we can't build it for them

change comes with adversity.

After all, Nehemiah built a wall having to listen to scoffers and critics. They stood by taunting him over his efforts. They jeered at him with their worst insults.

Sandbalot said...

"And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?  Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall."

Nehemiah 4:2‭-‬3 KJV

change enables them to help change others.

Queen Esther, followed Nehemiah. A contemporary of Nehemiah, she became a symbol of hope for the still oppressed children of Israel. The odds were stacked against her as she was summoned to the courts of Xerses. It would have been easy for her to fade into the background amongst a harem of women. Instead, she let her faith live outwardly as she found herself in difficult circumstances. Like Nehemiah, she was able listen to God’s prompting and in turn, liberate her people

change activates a sense of urgency.

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.  And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

Nehemiah 6:15‭-‬16 KJV

One of the most astonishing facts about Nehemiah is that he finished the walls in just 52 days. If you've ever been to Jerusalem, and seen the size and capacity of the stones you realize the monumental task that was at hand

Be open to change and begin movement forward.

Learn to face adversity.

Look to the urgent now as well as to the future of their children

Who You Are In Christ

If you are interested in making a change in your life this ladder of levels of personal change will be of interest to you if you want to make a permanent change, make the change as high up on the ladder as you can. A change on a higher level changes all the levels below it. So say of you want to quit a bad habit like smoking (just an example) don't just change at the behaviour level change it at the spirit and identify level. Get Gods power in the spirit level to help you and identify yourself as not only an non smoker but also as complete in Christ. Your completeness in Christ removes a lot of addictive habits and hang ups read this list below to yourself each day.

Have you discovered how amazing your life in Christ is meant to be? This list reveals the truth about who God created you to be and how He wants you to live!

I am complete in Him Who is the head over all rule and authority—of every angelic and earthly power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and will not live in fear (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The Spirit of God, who is greater than the enemy in the world, lives in me (1 John 4:4).

I have received abundant grace and the gift of righteousness and reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my heart enlightened, so that I know the hope of having life in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-18).

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit and He can do miraculous things through me.I have authority and power over the enemy in this world (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19).

I am renewed in the knowledge of God and no longer want to live in my old ways or nature before I accepted Christ (Colossians 3:9-10).

I am merciful, I do not judge others, and I forgive quickly. As I do this by God’s grace, He blesses my life (Luke 6:36-38).

God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

In all circumstances I live by faith in God and extinguish all the flaming darts (attacks) of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ Jesus who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

I am chosen by God who called me out of the darkness of sin and into the light and life of Christ so I can proclaim the excellence and greatness of who He is (1 Peter 2:9).

I am born again—spiritually transformed, renewed and set apart for God’s purpose—through the living and everlasting word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works that He has prepared for me to do (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In Christ, I am dead to sin—my relationship to it is broken—and alive to God—living in unbroken fellowship with Him (Romans 6:11).

The light of God’s truth has shone in my heart and given me knowledge of salvation through Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

As I hear God’s Word, I do what it says and I am blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I overcome the enemy of my soul by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I have everything I need to live a godly life and am equipped to live in His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God—I have right standing with Him—in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; I belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail, and I only go up and not down in life as I trust and obey God (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am chosen by God, forgiven and justified through Christ. I have a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am redeemed—forgiven of all my sins and made clean—through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7).

I have been rescued from the domain and the power of darkness and brought into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

My life is rooted in my faith in Christ and I overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done for me (Colossians 2:7).

I am called to live a holy life by the grace of God and to declare His praise in the world (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed and whole in Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am saved by God’s grace, raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:12).

I am greatly loved by God (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all power according to His glorious might (Colossians 1:11).

I humbly submit myself to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I press on each day to fulfill God’s plan for my life because I live to please Him (Philippians 3:14).

I am not ruled by fear because the Holy Spirit lives in me and gives me His power, love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).

Christ lives in me, and I live by faith in Him and His love for me (Galatians 2:20)

The Fellowship Of His Suffering

Here is a powerful Devotion from my Brother Norman Kissinger. Read this it will help you get to the next level spiritually.

"The Fellowship of His Sufferings

Phillipians 3:10

My father-in-law told me one time back in the early 1970s when his kids were young that they were arguing in the backseat of his VW and he ran into the back of someone at a stop sign in St Louis. Frustrated, he put the car in reverse and backed up and hit the person behind him.

When he got out to explain everything to the drivers, both of them said they perfectly understood because they had children too. They had experienced 

the fellowship of his sufferings.

We tend to have a common bond with those who have been through the same experiences as us. Having work for almost 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, I have an an immediate empathy anytime I see anything on Facebook about Corrections Officers around the country. And I believe that is because we did not just share the same experiences but we shared the same suffering. 

I'm not so sure it is the experience that is the uniting bond but the suffering that unites us.

My son, who is in the Marines, displays the same empathy for any fellow Marine. Again, I believe it is because he was able to share the same suffering in all of the difficult training in the service with them.

After many years as a Christian, I think I understand this verse a little better. I understand now that in order for me to grow as a Christian I must suffer the way Christ suffered. How can he ever have fellowship with me if I have not been through some of His pain, rejection, slander, and every other form of suffering that he went through. 

Of course I didn't take on the sin of the world but every time that I suffer in any trial I am understanding Christ a little bit better.

The truth is most of us Christians will never attain the fellowship we claimed we would like in Christ because we are unwilling to pay the suffering that would be necessary to get there.

I can never really know what it's like to be a Marine no matter how many times my son would explain it to me because I've not been through his 13 weeks of basic and his Advanced Training. But in the same way my son could never understand what it is like to work in a place where you're outnumbered 50 to 1 and everyone would kill you if they had the right motive.

So let's face it, we often pretend we're getting close to Christ and we may be learning a few things from His word but it is only when we go through trials that we are truly understanding Him better.

But, as I was meditating on this verse, I also realized there was another side. Not only do I have to suffer, but in order for Christ to better relate to me He has to know that I've suffered. How many times as a baby Christian have I come to Him and poured out my baby complaints when He probably saw our conversation  like a three-year-old talking to his mother. The three year old is complaining over a missing toy and the mother is stressing over paying the bills. A relationship is going on there but not much Fellowship. 

I now see that in order for Christ to move closer to us as well as for us to move closer to Him, the fellowship of our suffering and going through shared experiences with him create that bond and a deeper faith.

No I'm not claiming we need to look for suffering. Enough of it happens because of our decisions and Satan's attacks. But at least I see the value in suffering a little bit more. This may be why Christians in places like the Eastern countries where Christianity is going to cost you a lot have such a deep walk with the Lord.

With the political unrest growing at a level that can only be rivaled by the Civil War or the 1960s and an economy that may collapse in the coming months. We Christians may benefit in one way. We may finally begin to grow closer to the Lord as we share in the fellowship of his sufferings and He is able then to trust us with more of His own heart.

Accstance With Joy

One of the most profound truths I have learned in recent years is "Acceptance with Joy" there are many things that happen in this broken old world that I don't like.  I change the things I can and should change, there are things that are beyond my ability to change and sometimes God is urging me to move to a place of acceptance. This gives me peace in the midst of the storm knowing that God is using this difficult thing, person or circumstance to shape me into the image of Christ. An artist or sculptor must use a hammer and chisel a file and sandpaper to chip away all that is not necessary to the sculpture. We are living sculptures and God is shaping us with uncomfortable but necessary tools. Acceptance with Joy is illustrated by author Hannah Hurnard.

Quote from hinds feet to high places by hannah hurnard

In all that great desert, there was not a single green thing growing, neither tree nor flower nor plant save here and there a patch of straggly gray cacti. On the last morning {Much Afraid} was walking near the tents and huts of the desert dwellers, when in a lonely corner behind a wall she came upon a little golden-yellow flower, growing all alone. An old pipe was connected with a water tank. In the pipe was one tiny hole through which came an occasional drop of water. Where the drops fell one by one, there grew the little golden flower, though where the seed had come from, Much-Afraid could not imagine, for there were no birds anywhere and no other growing things. She stopped over the lonely, lovely little golden face, lifted up so hopefully and so bravely to the feeble drip, and cried out softly, “What is your name, little flower, for I never saw one like you before.” The tiny plant answered at once in a tone as golden as itself, “Behold me! My name is Acceptance-with-Joy!“ Much-Afraid thought of the things which she had seen… Somehow the answer of the little golden flower which grew all alone in the waste of the desert stole into her heart and echoed there faintly and sweetly, filling her with comfort. She said to herself, “He (the Shepherd) has brought me here when I did not want to come, for His own purpose. I, too, will look up into His face and say, ‘Behold me! I am your little handmaiden, Acceptance-with-Joy

Rise To The Ocassion

We are at a change point of crisis in our world. The church has a chance right now to "Rise to the occasion" in this crisis time and show the world that we exibit the Christlike character traits of generousity, mercy and compassion. We could see a massive move of God if the world cah see Christ in us as we navagate this and other crisis that may arise. Below is a quote from a missionary statesman of another generation. Rise to the occasion Church this is your hour.

 

Rising to the occasion J. Oswald Sanders

The HABIT of RISNG to the OCCASION "That ye may know what is the hope of His calling . . ." Ephesians 1:18 Remember what you are saved for - that the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. Bend the whole energy of your powers to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time. You cannot do anything for your salvation, but you must do something to manifest it, you must work out what God has worked in. Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves? If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you. God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properly - "By my God have I leaped over a wall." God will never shield you from any of the requirements of a son or daughter of His. Peter says - "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you." Rise to the occasion; do the thing. It does not matter how it hurts as long as it gives God the chance to manifest Him self in your mortal flesh. May God not find the whine in us any more, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings. We have to exercise ourselves in order that the Son of God may be manifested in our mortal flesh. God never has museums. The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. Our Lord never dictated to His Father, and we are not here to dictate to God; we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. When we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured out wine to feed and nourish others.