by Suellen | Uncategorized
In Colossians 1:26-27, Paul speaks of a great mystery which has been “hidden from ages and generations, but has been revealed to the saints.” It’s this mystery which makes Christianity so totally different from any other religion in the world. Yet this mystery seems to be misunderstood even by many Christians.
So what is it? It’s “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” It’s the absolute indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit in the inner most part of you, leading you, empowering you, changing you, and growing you to reflect the attributes of God Himself.
All other religions have laws – lists of do’s and don’ts – which, if followed, are supposed to bring people into perfection. But our faith is different. In our faith, our lives of sin are forsaken at the cross of Jesus. We accept His sacrifice for our sinful nature – and then we accept the empowerment of His Holy Spirit to walk away from sin and into the life He has for us.
That’s why we know that we have authority over sin, sickness, and poverty. The “Greater One” lives on the inside of us and causes us to overcome the evils of the world…if we are relying on Him and not ourselves.
If we will just live “from the inside out,” many of our problems will be solved. In the most inner part of us is every answer we need. We will not only overcome sin in our own lives and receive health for ourselves, but we will have wisdom to pray for those around us. We will have answers which will benefit them and an anointing to release them.
Stop and think about it. Man is the only creature which has a choice about the way he lives his life. Animals instinctively know that they should find food, build nests or dens, mate and raise their young. They have no choice but to live from the inside out. They live from the dictates of their instincts.
That was God’s intention for us from the beginning – to live from the instincts of our spirits. Before man sinned, he lived from his spirit, not his flesh. Then, from the fall until Jesus paid the price, he had no power over that sinful nature. Now that we can be born again and filled with His Spirit, the power is restored – but we have a choice.
Will we live from the flesh, where there is no power? Or will we live from the spirit, where Christ resides as our hope of glory? The choice is always ours and we make it daily.
When Christians rise up to live from the inside out – from the spirit within – our world will be changed. Prayers will be answered more quickly, prophecies will be fulfilled, and the world will begin to see God’s true church rising to its place in the earth.
When God’s true church lives from the inside out, God’s kingdom will be manifested for all to see!
by Suellen | Uncategorized
The year was 1985 and our family was visiting my parents on the southeastern coast of Georgia. As my husband and I drove over the causeway to Sea Island, we were overwhelmed with the beauty – the huge Live Oaks, the windswept trees, the sand dunes, and the array of extraordinary vacation homes. Each home was unique, but each was manicured to perfection – and very expensive. (more…)
by Suellen | Uncategorized
Do you want more of God? Do you feel convicted to serve him? You may be at a critical juncture in your life. John Estes explores this “middle ground” after the jump.
In looking at the ministry of Jesus, he seemed to have supporters of varying degrees. It’s not hard to see the difference between the masses and his closer, more devoted disciples. For one, the crowds were large masses of people; think upwards of 5000 people. These people wanted to hear the latest sensation and wanted to see Jesus work miracles. When I picture the crowds that came to hear Jesus speak I envision people saying things ranging from “I think I’ve heard of this guy” to “I’m his biggest fan!” I think of these people being like the crowd at a concert. They’ve come when the artist visits their town.
These people knew who Jesus was from afar, but there was no personal connection. They were his supporters, but not his friends. Their commitment was there as long as it was comfortable, but not much more than that.
On the other hand, there were the disciples. These guys had given up their careers (Matthew 4:18-20). They had left family behind (Matthew 4:21-22). They had the desire to do what it took to be close to Jesus. Their relationship with the Christ was so impactful that they knew they would never be able to turn back to the way things were before knowing Him. (more…)
by Suellen | Uncategorized
I once read about a highly successful fitness expert, Bill Phillips, whose training helped many people improve their health and their stamina. Yet he was always amazed at the numbers of out-of-shape people who would approach him and thank him for his books. It’s as if they didn’t realize that he could tell at a glance that they were not implementing his ideas. He began to challenge people to “face the abyss,” that infinite chasm between knowing and doing.
Our western society has become a “spectator society.” We watch our teams win, and we think we have accomplished something. We watch news and our favorite TV series, and we trick ourselves into thinking we are in on the action. (more…)
by Suellen | Uncategorized
When we look at David in the Bible, we see a man who knew many facets of life. He started out as an insignificant shepherd boy and wound up as a great king. He spent time living in caves, hiding from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. Then he spent many years in the palace ruling over the great nation of Israel.
He had many people who hated him (even his own son, Absalom, tried to steal his throne), and many who loved him dearly. He sinned horrifically, as he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. He also showed powerful character as he repented and forgave so quickly.
Through it all, God called David a “man after God’s own heart.” How did he manage to be God’s man through all of that? There were two things which stood out all the way through David’s life. (more…)
![Is It Time For You To Soar?]()
by Suellen | Uncategorized
Are you ready to soar with God? Would you like to? He’s ready if you are.
So what do I mean by the word “soar?” My husband, Mickey, has used the analogy of a hotair balloon. When we focus on our Father God and His Word, and when our lives are truly committed to Him, our perspective changes. The air of His Spirit lifts us up above the circumstances. We are no longer looking around – eye-level with the problems and evils of the world. We see things through God’s eyes. We understand the hurts and frustrations of those who hurt us. We know that there is a bigger plan for us than the petty day-to-day routines of life. We have purpose and we have power – power to overcome challenges; power which can only come from our Creator. (more…)
