When we were in the world, anything produced in our lives was crafted by our own hand, carried on our own backs, and limited by our own capacity. Once we gave our lives to the Lord, He brought us to a place where everything produced was from His own hand. He want's us to trust Him completely, in all things, and will allow as many trials as it takes to bring us to that place in Him.

2015-09-13 Sunday Service Back A Winner

Part 2: Values are traits or qualities that aren't just worthwhile to you. They are your deepest held beliefs and your fundamental driving force. They are non negotiable; your line in the sand. When you are born again, you have a new set of values that you have to embrace. Your old values won't set with your new identity and vice-versa. Until you make that decision, your life will be in a constant state of struggle.

There is a conflict in this world, and we the church are engaged in spiritual warfare encompassing two battlefields. The first is individual and is linked to our spiritual destiny. The second is in the corporate body of Christ and moving the kingdom forward. These two battlefields are linked together. Ground is constantly being gained or lost. The outcome determined by whichever side you decide to fuel.

Values are traits or qualities that aren't just worthwhile to you. They are your deepest held beliefs and your fundamental driving force. They are non negotiable; your line in the sand. When you are born again, you have a new set of values that you have to embrace. Your old values won't set with your new identity and vice-versa. Until you make that decision, your life will be in a constant state of struggle. This is part 1.

Aside from the Cross and Calvary, probably the most beautiful love story in the Bible is found in the book of Hosea. The man of God is commanded to wed a prostitute, to lift her up from her old life, and to fill her new life with unconditional love. The road is not an easy one for Gomer, and in her, we see a mirror of our own relationship with Jesus.

Probably our biggest challenge to overcome in life is in the area of relationships. It starts as a child, the "me" mentality, and continues on into adulthood. It's the fruit of our first identity. It takes a transformation of the holy spirit to change us into the exact opposite, someone who puts "you" before "me."

Humanity has a fascination with the dead coming back to life - zombies, Frankenstein, Dracula. History is full of examples as far back as it can record, and if we are honest with ourselves, so is our spiritual history. Things we have buried in our old life seem to pop up in our new life in Christ. How do we win against them? We fight back, and we knock them back in their place.

When we are born again we are created as a new creature. Old things are passed away and all things are become new. We have to embrace that new identity and avoid the old be changing the way we think. Each identity has its own master and we cannot serve them both.

There are times where God will ask you to do things that will make absolutely sense. And, even though you may ask, He may not answer. We all want the power of God, but not necessarily the submission to God. Obedience is the first step to receiving.