Greetings Lifers,
So it’s been too long – how are you doing, my Lifer friends? I am groggy from a 5:30 wake up call with my 3 high school kids (they catch a bus at like 6:20 – yikes), but other than that I am pleased to say life is quite satisfying right now. I am still reading through a book called “Grace Walk” by Steve McVey, and I find it quite edifying. Here’s an excerpt of what I read this morning:
“The human spirit is the essence and core of our existence. Before we trusted Christ, we had no meaningful identity because our spirit was dead. But when we trusted in Christ, the Spirit of Christ came into us and we gained an identity grounded in Christ. Peter said we became partakers of the divine nature. Since the Spirit of Christ comes into a person’s spirit at salvation, and because the essence of what we are is determined at the spirit level, one who has trusted Christ becomes a Christian.”
(this is the good part)
“To say that you are a Christian doesn’t simply refer to the particular set of doctrinal beliefs you hold. It doesn’t just refer to the way you live. It points to what you are at the deepest level of your being. At the center of your being is Christ! He has become your very life!”
“The totality of the Christian life is contained in Jesus Christ! The Christian life is not about Christ. It is Christ. It is God’s purpose to bring every Christian to the place where he no longer lives for self, but where Christ is allowed to live His life through us.” (pgs. 70-71, “Grace Walk”)
I know it’s only a couple of sentences, and I recognize that this Steve guy is not writing a part of the Bible or anything, but I hope you are picking up the implications of what he is saying. I find that I too often operate my life outside of my identity in Christ. I settle for “old Mark” when he doesn’t even exist anymore, if I am a new creation in Christ (which I am). I need to be less consumed with trying harder to be good and just learn to accept that I am good because of what Christ has done, is doing, and will do in the future through me. Anyway, great book so far – encourage you to read it.
I wrote for a specific reason – to invite you to get “Out of the Box” with me and the rest of the Lifers on this Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. in our
So if you’ve been hearing us talk about it at our weekend services or if you’re just hearing it now, plan to join us this Sunday night. If you have kids kindergarten age and below, their will be childcare provided. Otherwise, the older kids will have plenty to keep them occupied with the rest of us – there’s even a game show game dedicated to them and their parents (it’s a “kids say the darnedest things” meets “the newlywed game” thing – awesome).
If you are coming, do let us know if you haven’t already. Email Melanie Langston at mlangston@baylife.org and tell her who is coming with you. If you need childcare, let Tammy Paul know at tpaul@baylife.org. Till this weekend, may God bless you with the knowledge that if you are in Him, you truly are a new creation, and the old you is dead. May we all surrender to Jesus as He lives His life through us.
Peace.
Pastor
At the INFOdesk@baylife.org
- Prayer Night – August 30 | 7 pm in the
Student Center - Ladies Bible Study – August 31| 7 pm in the lobby of the
Worship Center - Ladies Bible Study – September 1 | 9 am in the lobby of the
Worship Center - Worship Choir – September 1 | 7 pm in the
Worship Center - Baptism – September 10 & 11 | Pre-baptism meeting Aug 27 & 28 at the fountain in the courtyard after each service
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