July 2010

After many years of walking with the Lord, I have come to the conclusion that there are three major truths and realities that we can come to in Jesus Christ that will transform our lives and bring great joy to our circumstances.

These are not some magical formula, but rather realities that can only be discovered in knowing God through Jesus Christ the Lord on a deeper level.

On a level I am afraid many never invest in. and while this list is by no means complete, I believe it is the key three.

1) A genuine born again experience that is found in true sorrow and repentance of sin (turning away from), and knowing our sins are forgiven and Christ has come into our heart and lives.

Romans 8:16 makes it clear that this is a reality that we can KNOW!

"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,..."

A genuine encounter with Jesus Christ and following Him is transforming and undeniable. It was evident in the life of the disciples of Christ that they knew and had been with Him. So it should be in the life of those who claim to know Him.

2) A personal Pentecost experience. An experience as real as the first. This can be understood and misunderstood in many ways, but what I am referring to is that work of God where we are set aside, sanctified for Him, and filled with His Holy Spirit. Where we have a kingdom shift from self to God ruling.

A life empowered by what God can do in us and through us when we fully give ourselves to Him.

As displayed in the lives of the disciples at Pentecost where they were filled with the Holy Spirit and went from hiding in fear to proclaiming Christ in the street without reservation.

Read on to what Paul says to the church in Thessalonica.

Where Are You of These Three?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it."

3) A personal rest in God. Fully trusting in Him. Not just with our words, but in reality with our lives.

God wants us to come to the place where we are truthfully trusting in Him and who He is in our lives.

Hebrews 4 addresses this in detail. Let me quote 4:11 "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."

To test ourselves in this, what is the first thought that comes to your mind when I ask you the following question. "What do I fear losing most?"

Whatever came to your mind just now reveals what you are trusting in.

We always think joy will be ours when the circumstances are right. I have learned that joy comes when I have experienced these three aspects in my walk with God, in spite of the circumstances.

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Have you invested in your relationship with Jesus Christ to the point where you have come to know these three major experiences in your life?

If so, I encourage you to continue to walk close with the Lord.

If not, I encourage you to invest in and seek to know God at a deeper level until these three things are a reality in your life.

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Rick Messer / Pastor of a church without walls