Monday, July 21, 2014

New Life

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 

Do you ever feel like you are so tired of the sin and things in your life that you know should not be there?  Have you gotten to the point that you are ready, really ready to hand them over to God and make some definite changes in your life?  The command of the passage above is a challenge to us to become what we have been empowered to be.  We have the marks of a new creation on us.

The Microsoft Company had a slogan that asked, "Where do you want to go today?" It’s a good spiritual question to be asked of ourselves every day.  Deciding where you want go also decides what direction we want to go.  One of the marks of a “New Life” is a New Direction

The “New Life” is A Life Marked By a New Direction
“Every day you get up without a purpose, a goal and a plan you will live someone else’s.” Two great tools for Satan are distraction and procrastination.  He does not have to get me to say I am not going to do something, just that I am not going to do it today.

  • Seek the things of God's design and desire; seek His direction.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33  Put heaven's priorities into practice every day and gauge every decision you make on the principle of God’s approval.  Would He approve of what you are doing, saying, the direction you are going, and the people you surround yourself with? 
  • Set your mind on the direction to go.  Concentrating on the eternal and not the temporary is not our natural focus.  We have been raised up to seek and set our sights on things above, not below.  Make your mind up that you are going to follow God’s direction and leading in your life.
The “New Life” is A Life Marked By a New Destiny
What is your destination?  What is your destiny?  When I speak of destiny I don’t mean what the world thinks of like "fate, chance, or luck."  Our destiny speaks of "one's lot" in Christ by the divine providence of God (the ability to see beforehand and act).  You are just passing through on this earth.  You are on your way to heaven one day to appear with Him glorified.  This is just a temporary home!

The “New Life” is A Life Marked By Contrasts
Proper faith will change your life ethically.  Colossians 1:5 says “consider the members of your earthly body dead"  Anything that stands against God's will should not even be considered to do.  We have to give up the things that come between us and God if we want our lives to be different, better. We have to quit the sinful behavior that is wearing us out. 

The “New Life” is A Life Marked By Service to God and Others
When you make a drastic change everyone will notice.  The light and love of Christ will show through you to the world.  When we serve God, we serve others and when we serve others, we serve God as well.  When we live our lives in service and honor to God, it will be obvious to everyone who knows you. 

Make the decision today to stop the things in your life that are dragging you away from God.  Decide your destiny and live for that purpose and direction.  Seek God, His desire, and He will guide you every step of the way.  It won’t always be easy, but the peace you will have by knowing that you are on the right path, moving in the right direction with God by your side is priceless.

Scripture to Claim:
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men… Colossians 3:23

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