NCarolinian

As I age, I hear some people say, "I see your mom and dad in you more every day." This is a good thing for me because God blessed me with Godly parents that raised me in The Way I should go. However, that similarity in appearance, behavior, attitude, humor and faith is part history of my family, part environment I grew up in and part purposeful parenting/instruction I was given as a youth. As a Believer in Christ, after accepting Jesus' sacrifice for our redemption and restoration to Father God, I have to work at becoming more In His Likeness. The fact that Christians can be individuals and yet seek to be consumed by God's likeness is a wonderful mystery. The world would say - "Be all you can be. Be your own person. Be the best you, you can be." Some would go as far as to picture reliance on someone for their identity as weak. This depends on who you rely upon for your identity.  For the Christ Follower this is certainly not a sign of weakness. This i...

Ever said to someone, "You are such a joy!" or "You are such a joy to be around."? When Christmas time rolls around the song J o y To The World can be heard in many places. Although this a great song to promote joy, peace and happiness for the season, the lyrics portray a future time when this will be fulfilled with the rulership of Christ over the entire Earth. Until then all of us believers and non-believers must daily search and find joy to keep life worth while. The writer of Hebrews stated about Jesus' life outlook - "For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)   Notice in counting the cost of enduring the cross, the joy, His joy on the other side was figured into the worth of the sacrifice. The Lord asks Christians to behave the same way through  James saying, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...

Identity In Christ; Living In Christ Many things pull at us to claim our identity. Among some of these possessive things are our culture, environment, and self-perception. However, for those who are followers of Christ, our identity should have been metamorphosed into that of a Christ-like human. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” So, what are some of the identifying traits, markers or characteristics Christians should have by being in relationship with Christ? 1. In Christ – we are saved from a eternally, damned future. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – Acts 2:38 2. In Christ – we have healing to distribute as well as to receive. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”...

Christ promised many wonderful things for His believers. However, Jesus also promised,  "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33)   The Christian's daily walk will have challenges from time to time, but it should not be a matter of major ups and downs. Our journey should not be dictated by great swings to the mountaintop one moment and then a trip to the valley of life the next. I know this is challenging to grasp when going through a situation. However, the rest of that statement from Jesus was -  "But take heart! I have overcome the world!"  So, my encouragement today is to Stay On His Mountaintop.  Here are some promises of God to remember - Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in you, the believer. (Romans 8:11) God will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) You are seated together with Christ in Heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6...

Growing up to this day I have been told - "You look like your Mama." I thanked them and we usually have conversations about family and move on. I have also had people say, "You look just like your Dad." I have thanked them and had similar family conversations after this statement.  The fact that I look like my parents is a good indicator I belong to them. If you hang around me long enough you will see I have the same kind of humor, mannerisms, values, speech and so forth that identify me as belonging to them and them to me. In a Christian's life, this mirroring should occur and be noticeable with our heavenly parent, Father God. A wonderful, observable indicator of looking and behaving like our Heavenly Dad is found in Galatians 5:22-23 .  Paul kinda pictures the Believer as a portable, variety, fruit tree. As we are walking out our faith journey with the Holy Spirit and in tune with the Word of God, the natural result is bearing all these different kin...

Have you ever felt or said - "There's nothing like......" (you fill in the rest of that thought). For me there are several things that qualify. Some of these things that "There is nothing like" are a good night's rest, chocolate chip cookies and milk, quality time with family and friends, singing, playing your favorite instrument or sport and enjoying your favorite meal.  Scripture speaks to this and says there is nothing like - finding the right words to say at the right time. Proverbs 15:23 is the actual verse and reads - " A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!" Also, The Bible deals with relationship as nothing like having. Relationship is what we were created, built and wired for, especially relationship with God. God is an abundant giver and has given us relationship with His Son, Jesus, which is enough, but even moreso others like immediate family, friends and for this husband - my wife. Thank Th...

Sacrifice is not how The Plan started out, but Sacrifice was soon to come after obedience had been violated. Humans had one rule to abide by in the beginning, then the Serpent, also known as the devil, came along and deceptively convinced Adam and Eve that God did not mean what He said. "And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'” - Genesis 2:16-17 We had one rule to follow and could not get that right! Since then, our nature has been to set-up and follow our own rules and regulations on how to live life. I believe this is a big reason why God called a specific people out of all the nations, the Hebrews, and gave them an impossible Instruction Manuel to Life - The Law. In addition, the sacrificial system was established but not because God liked it, but because The Law had been given to follow. Samuel says, ...