LIVING A LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST ONCE YOU ARE SAVED

I Try to make it a Practice to take a period of time every few weeks to do a personal “check” on exactly where I am in my Life, and inventory the many things that I need to walk solidly in regarding my Faith and Identity in Christ. I’m a firm believer that if we really are Focused and Centered on Jesus we will constantly find ourselves changing and maturing. The more time we spend in God’s Word, it truly does become a “Lamp” that “Lights” our understanding and Path To Purpose and Righteousness. It truly takes introspection to see the things that Jesus sought to teach us each individually as followers of His Instruction and Character. We Are Called to be Different and Set Apart, not in an elitist or arrogant way, but instead in a Humble Search to learn How To Love God In a Deeper And More Personal Way, and to Also Love Others More Completely. I Test Myself with some simple questions. Am I solid in my Beliefs and Foundation ? Am I spending enough time in God’s Word in a deep and studious way ? Am I maturing and testing myself in My Identity In Christ, and are there any areas that I need to gain better understanding in and DIG DEEPER FOR TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE ? Am I applying the things I learn and read to actually “USE THEM ACTIVELY” in my daily life ? Am I walking with God and “USING MY IDENTITY IN HIM” to serve Him and expand His Kingdom ? Am I ever being a hypocrite in my behavior and not reflecting who I want to be ? Am I effective in sharing the “GOSPEL”, and making disciples. It seems like a lot to catalogue and inventory at times, but it is CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT ! Once we are saved, we actually DO HAVE WORK TO COMPLETE ! Jesus calls us to a LIFE CENTERED ON HIM ONCE WE ARE SAVED. A life that is Active, Purposed, and Driven to bring Him the Glory and Praise.

BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. Matthew 6:33

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM , AND HE WILL MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS. Proverbs 3: 5-6

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD, OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD- THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND THE DESIRES OF THE EYES AND PRIDE OF LIFE-IS NOT FROM THE FATHERBUT IS FROM THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY ALONG WITH IT’S DESIRES, BUT WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER. 1 John 2: 15-17

It comes down to where our focus is, and what we truly have at the very CENTER OF OUR LIVES. At the center of our lives we find some very elemental things. OUR TRUE DESIRE. OUR REAL FAITH. OUR IDENTITY. OUR STRENGTH AND OUR WEAKNESS. OUR TRUST AND OUR DOUBTS, OUR ENDURANCE AND RESOLVE, OUR LAZINESS AND EXCUSES. HABITS AND TRIALS. PERHAPS MOST OF ALL…CHOICES. JESUS ASKS US TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM…That one STATEMENT tells me that I had best be humble, ready to listen, and have a HEART that is open and ready to Serve and Learn. I had better understand ALL THE THINGS THAT ENCOMPASS a life Centered On Him. HIS GRACE, HIS LOVE, HIS COMMANDMENTS, HIS POWER, and HIS AUTHORITY. EXACTLY WHAT SALVATION IN HIM MEANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY I TAKE ON AS I MOVE FORWARD IN MY FAITH. What exactly are GOOD WORKS ? How do Good Works and my Faith find commonality in each other ? Why is the Blood He Shed For ME So CRITICAL ? Can I find the Power Of Prayer and SEE IT”S RESULTS in my life and those I pray for ? You may be thinking, Do I really have to be This Deep and This Focused ? THE ANSWER IS YES ! The reason is simple. In Christ, YOU ARE A NEW CREATION. It doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy our families, friends, interests, and activities, but we must PUT JESUS FIRST IN OUR LIVES. Our lives must be Centered On Him each and every day. Each and every one of us has a purpose in the Body Of Christ. Every believer serves HIS KINGDOM.

AS PART OF THE BODY, YOU ARE SET APART AND YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PURPOSE WITHIN THE BODY OF BELIEVERS. BEING A MEMBER OF THIS FAMILY IS PART OF YOUR TRUE IDENTITY. YOU HAVE A ROLE TO FILL. Romans 12:4-5

AS YOU COME TO HIM, A LIVING STONE REJECTED BY MEN BUT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS, YOU YOURSELVES LIKE LIVING STONES ARE BEING BUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE , TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD, TO OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRAFICES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 1 Peter 2:5

We need to see ourselves and our lives EXACTLY as the scriptures above define us. The next time you seek God In prayer, at church, with a group of other believers, or in a place of trial where you wonder if He really hears you or sees you, BELIEVE HE IS THERE, AND YOUR LIFE MUST ABIDE IN HIM ALWAYS. Set apart with a unique purpose. A living stone that is integral in the strength and power of His Kingdom. Worship Deeply ! Get Focused and Get Serious about Centering Your Life On Him. Saved, Centered, Walking In Him ! He promises us that our trust in Him will bring us peace and rest. He will carry our burdens with us and lead our ways. Search your heart and see if it is truly the time for you to throw off all the excuses and doubts, and just GO ALL IN ! There is no time like RIGHT NOW TO GET STARTED:) May you be Thirsty for the Living Water that only Christ can provide, and may YOU BE BLESSED IN HIS NAME ! I AM HIS/JAA

INSTEAD, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, WE WILL GROW TO BECOME IN EVERY RESPECT THE MATURE BODY OF HIM WHO IS THE HEAD, THAT IS, CHRIST. Ephesians 4:15