Living the True Life
Living the True Life
“For if you choose self sacrifice and lose your lives for My glory, you will embark on a discovery of more and more true life.” Luke 9:24 Passion translation
“My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives His life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that He gave Himself for me, and dispenses His life into mine!” Galatians 2:20 Passion translation
The Christian life is not just you trying hard not to sin! It is you and Jesus Christ living in union with you as one new person. He dispenses His life into yours like two streams coming together to make a new river.
How does this happen on a daily basis?
1. You must be born from above – this is supernatural – mystery.
2. You learn about Jesus.
3. You listen to Him.
4. You learn to trust Him and let Him live through you.
IF any of what I just said is not happening in your life then you are not yet living the Xn life.
After you are born again;
1. You LEARN about Him. How?
“My son, attend to My Words; incline thine ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to all who find them, and health to all their body. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23
Training in anything is only as good as your routine. If you take time to put God’s Word in ears, eyes, heart, and mouth you will grow.
2. You listen to Him. How?
You can be hearing but not paying attention to what you are hearing. I think most people do not recognize the way God is speaking to them most of the time. Some things I am learning about listening to God:
(1.) You can’t be in a hurry and pay attention to God. He is on a different frequency than HURRY. You will have to be open to interruptions.
Ill. The other day Andrew and I were on our way to an appointment. There was a car broke down on side of road. Andrew said, “We should stop and see if she needs help.” I said we are late for an appointment and kept on going.” What if that was a God appointment or just a test to see if I will allow interruptions from God. If we knew the interruptions were from God sure we would allow it!
“I used to complain about all the interruptions to my work until I realized that these interruptions were my work.” Henri Nouwen
You will not recognize the still small voice of God if you have pre-planned your day without any margin for God’s interruptions.
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
(2.) Simplify – DE clutter your life as much as possible. God knows what you have to do. Don’t add burdens He is not asking you to take on.
Live in the freedom of what you can do, not in the bondage of what you can’t do.
Ill. Me on my way to prayer retreat solitude with God. “Should preaching be your priority?” I put pressure on myself to have messages/teachings Wed and Sundays. My life bookends each week like this. Even when go on vacation you mind thinks this way.
- My priority is to listen to Him. Out of that messages will come. Can I trust Him to not give me anything to say until the last minute? What if HE does not want me to preach this Sunday?
- I need to de-clutter my expectations and live free.
What else do I need to hear Him?
(3.) Faith- trust that I will and do hear Him.
“My sheep hear My voice. . .”
ill. Phone conversations – you recognize a voice you frequently talk with.
- Jesus’ voice is not deep bass or baritone. It’s not even audible sound. Deaf people hear Him! It’s like a thought, a wisp of breeze passing by so softly you could miss it.
- This is why journaling is important. You slow down. I suggest print by hand not computer. Don’t try to be a writer just write your true thoughts as you spend time with Him.
- If God let His Son die for you – don’t you think He wants to talk to you?
(4.) Practice solitude – stillness – Jesus did!
“In the morning, rising up a great while before sunrise, He went out and departed to a solitary place. And there He prayed.” Mark 1:35
This one verse is locked between other verses loaded with action. Before this verse Jesus is healing multitudes and casting out demons. After this verse, Peter comes to Jesus and says, “Where have You been? Everyone is looking for You!”
The secret of the Xn life is revealed here. Solitary alone time with God is where ministry is conceived.
(5.) Don’t harden your heart. 3 places scripture warns believer about this: Psalm 95:8, Heb. 3:7, 3:15
Andrew Wommack has a great book and teaching on this.
A hard heart dulls your ability to hear or recognize God is speaking.
Jesus said to His disciples, “Why do you reason that you have no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? Having ears, do you not hear? Do you not remember that I broke five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” Mark 8:17-19
Jesus is pointing out a hard heart happens when you do not take time to recognize or consider what God has been saying and showing you!
Later when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water they were astonished.
“Jesus said, “It’s Me. Don’t be afraid.” Then when He went inside eth boat the wind ceased and they were astonished beyond measure and wondered. FOR THEY HAD NOT CONSIDERED THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES, FOR THEIR HEARTS WERE HARDENED.” Mark 6:50-52
What determines if our hearts become hardened?
If you are considering and paying attention to the things God is showing you in your day, week.
PIC Stop look listen
Consider your week so far. People you met, so called interruptions, messages you heard, scriptures you read, things you think God may be showing you.
The disciples failed to consider the miracle of the loaves and fishes and then w/o realizing it their hearts were becoming hardened towards believing the things of God. They should not have been so overwhelmed at seeing Jesus walking on water. He commanded them to get into the boat. So HE is responsible for them and the storm they encountered and then seeing Him walk to them.
Control what you consider and you will control your emotions. Most people don’t operate this way because they don’t take time to consider what God may be showing them daily. Keep a journal for this!
“My heart grew hot within me; as I mused the fire burned.” Psalm 39:3
Muse = consider, think upon, meditate, ponder.
Amusement = A= not, Muse – to think
Concl: Life is flying by. You can’t afford to miss any more things God is saying or showing you. Keep a journal and pay attention and write down little notes to go back and consider or ponder until the fire or life of God burns in you. He wants to teach you things and talk to you every day if you will listen.