The Power of Christ in Me - By Debra Courtney

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

THE POWER OF CHRIST IN ME

By Debra Courtney

Many of us begin our lives with the goal of wanting to achieve success.  If we haven't entered our career/calling as a result of being Christ inside minded, we will eventually face a chasm of deep frustration and emptiness.  Success may flatter us temporarily, but does not provide a lasting sense of purpose and fulfillment in us.  Our lives with wrong motives, i.e., money, prestige, and even pressure from parents or peers, are like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.  If that happens over an extended period, a person crashes.

That being said, my significance should come from fulfilling the God-given purpose for which I was uniquely designed.  Asking Him to confirm this in my own life brings “the power of Christ in me”.  Christ has called me to stand for a cause bigger than myself.  I will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in my own family, but if God has called me to it, then I can be sure He will make a way.  He has already opened the way before me; however, I must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land. "...Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).

So often defeat is what is required before our victory can be won.  Jesus said that unless the seed dies and goes into the ground it cannot bring forth fruit (see John. 12:24).  The vision may yet happen, but however, there is a better success rate if I live a life of “the power of Christ in me”.

The disciples thought they suffered their greatest defeat when Jesus died on the cross; however, this defeat became the greatest victory on earth.  Christ's death gave liberty. Forgiveness came to all men.  The disciples came forth with new strength.  Resurrection and new life came as a result of a "defeat" but later on gave them the boldness they needed because they had “the power of Christ in them”.

Imagine living with the uncertainty of this situation.  One day we work at getting our "house" in order, only to have to pick up the stakes and move.  Our ability to plan is totally gone.  I have experienced this many a time myself in my own life, but even greater is the temptation to move when the cloud did not move because you felt it was time to move.  We think that perhaps the grass is no longer green, perhaps the water was not easily accessible, perhaps the bugs were a problem.  I need “the power of Christ in me” to be my cloud up in the sky.

Nothing has changed.  It is still the same today.  We are not to move unless the Holy Spirit instructs us to do so.  We are not to make that business deal on the basis of whether or not it makes sense but on the leading of the Holy Spirit's "cloud" in our life.  It is a difficult process to move only when we are directed and to remain if we are not.  The pressure is always upon us to move, to plan, to act, but if we act, we may move into a place where the presence of God may not be.  When I have “the power of Christ in me”, I as His child will learn to move when God says move; it is a sign of complete surrender and dependence on the Holy Spirit to direct my steps which brings me “the power of Christ in me” that strengthens me to do all things according to His good pleasure.  

Debra’s life goal is to inspire and motivate women through coaching to become all they have been created and designed to be by using the guiding principles of their Creator’s word in gaining wisdom and understanding their designed-given personality identities and create their independence!  Your Words creates an environment to enhance your living experiences in ways this world cannot.  Your Words creates an environment to enhance your journey in ways this world cannot.   

“I want women today to be transformed out of your lack of fulfillment, frustration, and pain through the benefits of coaching, to stand and run with the promises that have already been promised to you by your Creator, to be challenged and stirred up to go places that you have never dreamed of, to be motivated in wisdom where you can live a life above and beyond in the exploration and discovery found in the 'who' of how you were created.  Coaching is ideal for taking you through this process and for closing the gap between your 'Here & Now' to 'There'."  

Click here to enjoy "Help Me Find It" by Sidewalk Prophets

Hope



Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

 Hope  

ByCheryl Laurenza 

Mark 5:4 , 15  " ...No one was strong enough to subdue him ...When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind."

Have you ever been in a place where you felt like this? Where there seemed to be no solution, no help to be found, your situation was dire because no one had what it took to change the circumstances or those involved including you?

I think we've all been in that place, are there now, or might be heading into it.  At these times we often feel alone, afraid, anxious and powerless.  Add the self-inflicted sense of false guilt because Christians shouldn't feel this way or the harsh, legalistic shaming from others that tells us,"You need to have more faith," or perhaps worse, just neglect and a sense of rejection, and you have a recipe for hopelessness.  The Enemy seems to like to use these tactics of our own inner critic, others, and top it off with the resulting isolation from the body, or the pack, so to speak.  Have you ever watched the nature shows where you see the lion or the wolves hunting?  Have you noticed that they seem to target those animals that have become separated from the herd?  Folks, we are sitting ducks when we isolate.  It leaves room for all the above.  Remember scripture tells us, "Yet we are not unaware of his schemes."  Yet when we hurt, we forget and cannot see, and that's when we really need one another.

Here is the key.  Looking back at Mark 5, the man possessed had no hope, as he could not be helped, bound, or even caught so someone could try to help.  He was out in a desolate, lonely place ....separated.  But Jesus....The words jumped off the page at me today that there was one who just so happened to land in that place where he was.  Do you think that was an accident?  Jesus could and did subdue and bind the Enemy.  He also in that process restored the man to life, broke his isolation and exile, and told him to tell others how much God had done for him.  Wow!!  

So what in life is overwhelming you, keeping you apart?  Have you become hopeless of change or restoration?  Run to Him.  He has the power, grace, and mercy to not only overcome the Enemy but to heal, restore, and lead you to healthy life-giving relationships in the body.  

Recommended reading: 

Safe People                        Cloud & Townsend

Safest Place on Earth.      Dr. Larry Crabb

He Loves Me                     Wayne Jacobsen

Cheryl Laurenza, MA, LPC, NCC

CPCS, ACS

The Refuge Counseling Center, LLC

3211 South Cherokee Lane

Suite 640

Woodstock, GA 30188

P: 678 693 2281

F: 888 971 3910

Cheryl@refugecounselingcenter.org

www.refugecounselingcenter.org

Chris Tomlin - Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies] [Official Lyric Video] from chris-tomlin on GodTube.

Focus: Cultivating Relationship ~ by Cheryl Laurenza

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

FOCUS 

ByCheryl Laurenza

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”   JOHN 14:6  

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.   COLOSSIANS 4:2

I was thinking on these verses as I read Jesus Calling. It reminded me of many times and situations in my life where I so needed to clearly discern His leading and direction in my life. I also came across a quote by O's Guiness: 

“Calling is the most comprehensive reorientation and the most profound motivation in human experience.”

I believe the key is nothing earth shattering, new or different. We need to be following closely in order to hear and sense leading and direction in any area of our lives. I think we are much too busy, consult way too many people, and take no time to sit, listen, and sense the Spirit. I am afraid we pray a quick prayer and then tack 'In Jesus name' on the end and expect not only that He will do what we want but that it would  be easy and pleasant, that we would not have to seek or listen, just keep going at breakneck speed. 

Please do not hear this as legalism or condemnation. I have always been a grace-based person, yet think I know the balance here and am afraid that some of us have lost, or never cultivated a deep abiding love relationship with Jesus. Remember that it is a RELATIONSHIP. How in the world will we be able to stand in tough times if we have never truly struggled and wrestled, hungered and fought through doubts, fears, and heard His voice calling and comforting through it all saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isa 30:21.  This creates such a thankfulness that 'I get to do this,' not a drudgery. 

My prayer is for all of us as we head into Fall is that we will choose to prioritize our most vital relationship, not in a legalistic "I should do...", but slowing it down enough to put this margin in our lives. 

Loving Him,

Cheryl Laurenza

Cheryl Laurenza, MA, LPC, NCC

CPCS, ACS

The Refuge Counseling Center, LLC

3211 South Cherokee Lane

Suite 640

Woodstock, GA 30188

P: 678 693 2281

F: 888 971 3910

Cheryl@refugecounselingcenter.org

www.refugecounselingcenter.org

Don't Fight Temptation. Just Give Up - "A Guest Post by @RobEagar"

Don't Fight Temptation - Just Give Up 

ByRob Eagar

Chuck fought the desire to lash out at his girlfriend, Leah. While shopping at the mall, they had bumped into her ex-boyfriend, Dan. A quick “hello” turned into a conversation that Leah seemed to enjoy. Chuck was a Christian and knew that he should be considerate. Nevertheless, the more he listened to Leah laugh with Dan, the more a jealous anger brewed within him.

The interaction made Chuck worry. “I thought that Leah liked me, but maybe she wants to date Dan again,” he said to himself. His fear and jealousy suddenly reached the boiling point. He grabbed Leah’s arm and announced, “Time’s up, Leah. Let’s go!” He pulled her away from Dan in a show of force, but it backfired.

“Let go of me, Chuck! How could you be so rude?” she exclaimed.

“We need to get going,” Chuck urged.

“Well, if you are in such a hurry, then leave,” Leah replied. “I’ll have Dan drive me home!”

Chuck couldn’t believe his stupid outburst. He wished he could crawl into a hole and disappear.

You would think that if Christian singles wanted to share God’s love together, then all of their relationships would be godly and loving. Yet, we all know that reality can be quite a different experience. Just because someone is a Christian doesn’t mean he or she acts wisely or exhibits perfect self-control.

For example, have you ever gone on a diet? What normally happens? Usually you discipline yourself to exercise and eat right. Over time, you achieve some success, but when you quit your diet, your body gains back some pounds. So, you dedicate yourself to losing weight again, falling into a frustrating cycle. Worse, no matter how hard you try to enhance your shape, your body remains in a constant state of decay, which means you cannot prevent the inevitable sags, wrinkles, and death.

Battling against fleshly urges of indwelling sin with your willpower is similar to dieting. You can try to defy temptation through self-effort, biblical principles, or accountability groups, but sin will never stop enticing you until you die. Your self-discipline may yield some temporary success, but eventually, stress, boredom, or fatigue will wear you down. The moment your self-effort gets weak, sin will pounce on you (1 Peter 5:8). God offers a better way to resist sin:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” (Titus 2:11–12).

These verses explain that the grace of God instructs you to live in a godly manner. It does not say that righteous behavior occurs through self-discipline, memorizing Scripture, or following principles. You cannot muster enough self-control to stop Satan. Instead, Paul writes that the goal of the Christian life is to “glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). He also says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not” (Romans 7:18). How do you give up your pride and allow God’s grace to deliver you from temptation?

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20) 

This verse reveals one of the best blessings of being a Christian! Instead of fighting sin with all your might, allow Christ to do the fighting for you. He wants you to stop struggling, rest by faith in His love, and let Him take over.

As an example, let’s revisit Chuck’s dilemma at the beginning of this chapter. Remember how he got upset with his girlfriend, Leah, for talking to Dan? If Chuck had allowed Christ to live through him, he might have responded to his angry feelings by thinking, “Why am I feeling this way? I am holy, so obviously these angry and jealous thoughts are sin’s attempt to control me. However, Jesus freed me from sin’s power. Lord, please take over and live Your patience through me toward Leah right now.” Then, if Chuck had continued to trust in Christ, he could have remained calm while Leah talked to Dan.

No matter how you are tempted, sin can never offer anything superior to the unconditional love and acceptance that you already have in Christ. Therefore, by comparison alone, temptation is worthless. Sin can be very subtle, however, so Jesus advises you to let go of your discipline and appropriate His strength in dealing with fleshly enticements. He wants to help you discern the lies that sin presents and remind you of His passionate love.

Jesus conquered sin forever when He died on the cross. Furthermore, His resurrection enabled Him to live His victory through your life. Yet, Christ cannot disarm temptation until you stop trying to fight it by yourself.

Rob Eagar
WildFire Marketing
Phone: 1-800-267-2045
Web: www.StartaWildfire.com
Twitter: @RobEagar
Email: Rob@StartaWildFire.com
The expertise to help you sell books like wildfire!

Rob Eagar  Rob@startawildfire.com

For more information on this topic, check out Chapter 6 – The Impact of Sin on Your Dating Life in Rob’s book, Dating with Pure Passion. Need a copy? Click here.

Link to Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Dating-Pure-Passion-Courtship-Formula/dp/0736916709/