Wisdom Calls Out!

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?" 
Proverbs 8:1 

Are you hungry for wisdom?  Is your need for knowing what is truth becoming more desperate? My answer to these questions is a resounding YES! In a world where evil is good and good is evil, I have never been more dependent on the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God's Word. The pursuit of wisdom in our lives is directly related to our relationship and dependence on the person of truth Jesus Christ.

Wisdom has many facets: insight, counsel, prudence, understanding, discernment, discipline, competence, discretion, instruction, guidance, knowledge, and righteousness. 

What is wisdom?  The most frequent Hebrew word for wisdom is "chokmah," which means skill. Wisdom is the art and practice of living life with each area under Christ's dominion. It is the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the best ends. 

There are two kinds of wisdom—one from God and another from the world, flesh, and Satan.

"This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle; willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy." (James 3:15-17)

Wisdom from above is the Lord's plan by which He can transform the moral and spiritual chaos of human life into an incarnation of God's attributes of justice, equity, truth, and faithfulness. It impacts our lives in all that really matters. 

How do we pursue wisdom?  This treasure of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding rests in the hands of God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Since it comes from above (James 3:17), we cannot attain it apart from Him and His Word.

What is the condition for attaining wisdom?  Proverbs 9:10 gives us the answer: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  

• Job 28:28—"And to man, He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'"

• Psalm 86:11—"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."

• Proverbs 1:7—"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."

What is the fear of the Lord?  To fear God is to have an attitude of awe and humility before Him. It is to recognize the weaknesses of human flesh and our need for complete dependence upon Him in every area of our lives. "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." (Proverbs 15:23)

Why have so many people failed to develop awe and humility before God? Many people put their faith in themselves, walk in pride, and Satan blinds unbelieving eyes. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6. Therefore, if we humble and ask God for wisdom, he will give it to us in great abundance, James 1:5. 

I pray that God will lead you in His knowledge, wisdom and understanding as you live for Jesus Christ! 

Serving Christ, 

Jeff

You're Good Enough

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 

I was born with a sinful nature that did its own selfish thing apart from God. However, God loved and chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world! Little did I know all of what that meant when the Holy Spirit first opened my eyes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now I rest in the reality of His love and acceptance, regardless of how others might view me. When I look into the face of Jesus, he smiles at me, and I am good enough!

In this life, we all experience rejection. The wounds of rejection can go deep into our hearts. We must root out and guard our hearts and minds against the lies that come from rejection in our lives. Some grow up in a constant stream of rejection in their lives. However, if you are in Christ, you can find healing in the reality of his love and acceptance. 

Here are the most common lies of rejection and the truth of who I am in Christ! 

Lie: Love must be earned. Everyone, including God, accepts me if I work hard to please them.

Truth: God accepts me unconditionally because I'm His child (John 1:12,13). 

Lie: Certain people must accept me to feel okay about myself. 

Truth: Christ considers me as His friend (John 15:15).

Lie: I must do everything well or right to be accepted.

Truth: I am justified and have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

Lie: Sooner or later, God will reject me and turn away from me.

Truth: You no longer need to fear rejection again, for Christ will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5)

Lie: I have no real value to God and others and feel worthless as a person.

Truth: God bought me with the price of His Son; therefore, I am of infinite value to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Lie: I am unloved and alone in this life. 

Truth: God chose to love me for all eternity and adopt me into His family (Ephesians 1:5).

Lie: There are some things I've done that God can't forgive, or God can't keep on forgiving me. 

Truth: I am redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:13,14).

Lie: God is angry with me, and I deserve to be punished, condemned, and abandoned. 

Truth: I am free forever from condemnation and set free in Christ from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-4).

Lie: Sooner or later, something is going to happen to impact God's love for me. 

Truth: I cannot be separated from God's love (Romans 8:35-39).

Lie: My relationship with God depends on me trying harder to please Him.

Truth: I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

Lie: I still struggle with sin. God will eventually quit working in my life and give up on me.

Truth: I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6).

I pray that the lies that you feel and believe will be exposed and replaced with the truth of who you are in Christ! 

Serving Christ, 

Jeff

The Reality of What We Possess

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love" Ephesians 1:3,4 

Challenges to our identity come in this life through many different avenues throughout life. It could be when our spouse rejects us or when our children grow up and leave home. At some point, our employer tells us we are no longer needed. We lose our sense of belonging in a church we have attended for years. A culture of identity politics further divides and defines people apart from God's design. If we are not careful, we can be seeking to fulfill our needs for love, acceptance, and security apart from Jesus Christ! 

The Blessings Found In Christ 

• I have been justified—wholly forgiven just as if I never sinned and made righteous. (Rom. 5:1) 
• I died with Christ, and the power of sin is no longer the ruling principle in my life. (Rom. 6:1-6) 
• I am free forever from condemnation, shame, and false guilt. (Rom. 8:1) 
• I am in Christ Jesus only because of God's work in my life. (1 Cor. 1:30) 
• I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God. (1 Cor. 2:12) 
• I have been given the mind of Christ and can understand the things of God. (1 Cor. 2:16) 
• I have been bought with a price. I am not my own; I belong to God. (1 Cor. 6:19-20) 
• I have been given the Holy Spirit guaranteeing my inheritance to come. (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13,14) 
• Since I have died, I no longer live for myself but for Christ. (2 Cor. 5:14,15) 
• I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I am now living is Christ's life through me. (Gal. 2:20) 
• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. (Eph. 1:3) 
• I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy, and I am without blame before Him. (Eph. 1:4) 
• I was predestined—determined by God—to be adopted as His child. (Eph. 1:5) 
• I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of His lavish grace. 
• I have been made alive together with Christ. (Eph. 1:7-8, 2:5) 
• I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence. (Eph. 3:12) Hebrews 12 
• I have been rescued from the domain of Satan's rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ. (Col. 1:13) 
• I am rooted in Christ, and as my roots in him grow, I am built up in Him. (Col. 2:7) 
• I have been spiritually circumcised; my old unregenerate nature has been removed and received a new heart. (Col. 2:11) 
• I have been made complete in Christ. (Col. 2:10) 
• I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises from God by which I am a partaker of God's divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) 

I want to encourage you to let these truths penetrate your heart! You possess these blessings as His child in Jesus Christ. Look up the scriptures. Read these statements every day…let the truth of scripture renew your thoughts and change your perspective. Encourage one another in who God says you are and the blessings we possess with other Christians in your life.  

Serving Christ, 

Jeff

Reality of Suffering

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope."
The Apostle Paul__Romans 8:18-20 

When people contact our office for help they are suffering. Even though we all experience suffering, it is not always easy to find understanding. At IBCC we provide our clients a safe place to find help. As they process through their grief we always remind them of God's love for them as a child of God. 

Our clients suffer in many different ways. 

• Death of a spouse, child, family member, friend

• Chronic health problems

• Job loss

• Abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual)

• Addictions

• Habitual sin

• Fear disorders (OCD, anxiety, PTSD)

• Psychological disorders

• Divorce / separation

• Marriage problems

• Persecution

• Relational conflicts

• False teaching

• Occult

Suffering in this life is inevitable. As a counselor, I help our clients make sense of how God is using it in their life for growth. Here are several considerations that help us better understand suffering in our life.  

1. Suffering is the natural consequence of sin's impact on God's creation. Genesis 3:16-19

2. Suffering can impact any area of our life regardless of how hard we try to protect ourselves from it. Psalms 34:19

3. Suffering is necessary to help us apply the scriptures in our lives. Romans 5:3-5

4. Suffering moves us past our intellectual understanding of biblical truth into the present reality of application. James 1:22-25

5. Suffering is most beneficial when the pain of grief brings us into a greater dependency on Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

6. Suffering in our lives has redemptive purposes. 1 Peter 4:1

7. Suffering helps the body of Christ bond together and demonstrate Christ's love for each other. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

8. We must learn to accept suffering in our lives and respond to it as God desires (suffering well). 1 Peter 5:6-10

Many of our clients are working through some very difficult things in their life. I am honored to walk alongside them. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. 

May the grace of God strengthen you in these difficult days!

Jeff

The Lord Builds the House

Psalm 127:1-5 "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." 

In recent years we have witnessed many redefinitions in our culture of what is foundational to God's design and created order regarding gender, marriage, and family. Historically, it is hard to compare what we are witnessing these days. Regardless, God's design and sovereignty reign over his creation and people! 

Marriages and families are under spiritual attack like no other time in my 36 years of ministry. I encourage our clients to be centered on Jesus Christ as they submit to living in Christ and for His Kingdom and his plan for their lives, marriages, and family. 

Building a Foundation

The words of Christ help us build a sound foundation. To not labor in vain, we must hear his words and apply them to our life.

Matthew 7:21 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

1 Corinthians 3:11-14 "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."

HOW CAN WE BUILD WITH CHRIST AND NOT LABOR IN VAIN? 

Building my house in my own strength, instead of daily dependence on the grace of God and leading of the Holy Spirit. (Implementing all the right standards, techniques, and formulas without Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit being in it.) 

1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."

The best thing that a father can give his children is being an example of abiding in the Lord.

John 15:3-5 "Already you are clean because of the Word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

You are leaning on your understanding instead of gaining wisdom according to the scriptures.  
Proverbs 3:1-8 "My son, do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Building by myself. I call it the "It's All Up to Me" mindset. Instead of trusting God, looking to others for accountability, counsel, and mentoring within the church.  
Proverbs 18:1, 2 "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his opinion."

Wives and mothers- Proverbs 14:1 "The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down."

Husbands and fathers- Proverbs 24:3-6 "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in the abundance of counselors there is victory."

Families being driven by constant and unconsidered activity, filled with busyness instead of prioritizing the most beneficial things in life.  
Luke 10:38-42 "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Home is the center of relational family life, worship, and discipleship. Someone once said, "The problem is not prioritizing your schedule. It is scheduling your priorities." We can be involved in many good things, but we must choose the excellent things we value and ultimately meet our marriage and family goals.

Busyness helps us not feel what we do not want to feel or face in our lives. We enjoy the distraction of it, from having to face ourselves, God, and all that might bring up. 

Satan's Goal: To run you hard and wear you down, making you vulnerable to temptation.

Dangers of Being Too Busy

• Little or no time for intimacy with God
• Not enough time to nurture heart-to-heart relationships
• Not enough time to address conflicts and problems that impact the heart of those in the family (A GET-OVER-IT mentality, leaving people not being understood.) 
• Not enough individual time for children to experience being the "beloved son or daughter."
• Too much multi-tasking (Note: You can only pay attention to one person at a time.
• Not enough time for Family Worship and prayer times together

Please pray for our counselees regarding their marriage and family needs. 

May the grace of God strengthen you in these difficult days!

Jeff

Marriage Retreats for 2021

How would you like a getaway with your spouse? How about a time of fellowship and learning together with me and a few other couples? I tell couples that attending one of the marriage retreats I lead is like about 12 hours of marriage counseling, but with an opportunity to interact and begin applying what you were learning!

I am so excited to be able to offer a small group face to face marriage retreats this year! Due to Covid-19 concerns, we have limited space. Of course, we want to allow room for social distancing! It has been a blessing to work closely in leading marriage retreats for Marriage Preserve Ministry in Kokomo, Indiana, for several years now. The retreat begins Friday at 6:00 PM and ends at Noon on Sunday. The first retreat is being held March 19th-21st and the second October 8th-10th. The cost is $300 and includes:

• Two Nights Lodging

• Training Materials & Teaching

• Counseling Session (if requested)

• 2 Meals

• Snacks and Drinks 

Scholarships are available; please contact Greg Davis at Preserve Marriage Ministries at greg.davis@preservemarriages.com.

We will cover topics that will enhance your marriage and send you home with a renewed plan to improve your marriage oneness! 

Topics Covered:

• Living & Loving Out Of My New Heart

• Building Joy & Creating Love Bonds

• Overcoming Fear Bonding

• Addressing Root Issues

• Communication Skills

• Making Decisions Together

• Giving and Receiving Love

Testimonies:

"I loved that Jeff went for the heart/root issues rather than just putting a "how-to" band-aid on it. My husband and I got a lot out of the sessions on taking thoughts captive and spiritual warfare. We found a lot of the principles to be practical toward parenting and other relationships as well. Overall, a great retreat and incredible ministry."

"This was an excellent Christian marriage retreat! Many Christian retreats are a bit "surfacy," provide insight into God's commands for marriage and practical applications, but do not truly get to the heart of God's intent for relationships, both individually and as a marriage."

It has been an enormous blessing to work alongside Greg Davis, a retired police officer who leads Preserve Marriage Ministries. He is very accommodating to answer a question you might have and meet any need you have regarding the retreat, including dietary concerns. Please feel free to call Greg at 765-864-2100.

Location:
4254 S. 00 E.W. 
Kokomo, IN 46902-5205 United States

To Register: Call Greg Davis 765-864-2100 or email 
greg.davis@preservemarriages.com

https://www.preservemarriages.com/event/beyond-the-ring-retreat-2018-12-07-2/2021-03-19/

Hope to see you there!

Jeffrey Pokone
IBCC Center Director/Counselor

Because God Loves Me

The most important reality for our hearts to embrace is that God loves us!   With everything going on in the world this Christmas season, we can be comforted by the many reasons God loves us. Take a few minutes to read and personalize these statements and scriptures. How does your heart respond? How does this make you feel about God loving you? 

• Because God loves me...He sent his only Son to die on the cross for my sins so that I have eternal life.

John 3:16,17, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." 

• Because God loves me...I can love him and thereby love others too. 

John 4:11,12 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us." 

•Because God loves me...He is slow to lose patience with me. 

Psalm 103:8, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."  

•Because God loves me...He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth. 

Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

• Because God loves me...He is for me. He wants to see me mature and develop in His love. 

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
 
• Because God loves me...I no longer have to receive condemnation.

Romans 8:1,2 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

• Because God loves me...He keeps on working patiently with me even when I feel like giving up and can't see why He doesn't give up with me too. 

Philippians 2:12,13, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." 
 
• Because God loves me...He never says there is no hope for you. Instead, He patiently works with me, loves me, and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me. 

Hebrews 12:5,6, "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, 
nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." 

• Because God loves me...He never forsakes me, even though many of my friends may. 

John 15:13-15, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
 
• Because God loves me...He stands with me when I have reached the rock bottom of despair when I see the real me and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love. It is at a moment like this that I can believe that God loves me.

Romans 8:38,39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

One of my driving passions is for our clients to understand at a heart level how much God loves them. As the reality of God's love for them is better understood, it has a significant impact on addressing their counseling need. 

What do you believe about who you are?

What do you believe about who you are?

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so the body of sin might be brought to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." Romans 6 5-7

In counseling, one of my greatest joys is having Bible studies with my clients. One of my favorite New Testament books to teach is Paul's letter to the Romans. Romans is very helpful in helping our clients understand what the Bible teaches regarding their identity in Christ. 

In Romans chapter six, there is no greater description of the reality of the transformational Gospel of Jesus Christ and the new life we possess in Christ! 

What do you believe about who you are? How do you define yourself? Do you acknowledge your new nature? Do you define yourself through the old self? 

The deception that leads to bondage and defeat is based on this reasoning.
1. I focus on the sinful behavior in my life to fight it, but it overcomes me, and I feel defeated. 
2. I understand that because I am still a sinner.
3. I base my identity on how my flesh performs.
4. I resign myself to a life-long struggle of trying to do what I should. 
5. I believe that my old self is very much alive and active.
6. I lose hope and live in bondage and defeat. 

What Paul teaches the church regarding our freedom and victory!
1. I know that my old self (sin nature) was crucified, that the body of sin is destroyed. Romans 6:6
2. I appropriate my co-crucifixion and co-resurrection and Christ in my life. Romans 6:5
3. I realize my true identity as a new creation in Christ; I am righteous, holy, and blameless. Ephesians 4:24 
4. I understand that the world, Satan, and my flesh has no authority because I am dead to sin. Romans 6:14
5. I reckon myself dead to sin and alive to God, and I live in the truth of my new identity. Romans 6:11 
6. I walk in the liberty and freedom that comes from Jesus Christ! Romans 6:17,18

I encourage you to evaluate your understanding and application of the resurrected life you have in Christ. Share the good news with someone you love! 

Fall Friends Gathering

Greetings friends!

Every year in the fall season, Indiana Biblical Counseling Center holds a Fall Praise Banquet to gather the friends who support the counseling ministry. Many look forward to our fall banquet every year. We are disappointed that due to continuing Covid-19 concerns, we had to postpone this year's banquet until November 5th, 2021.

However, this year we are very excited to invite you to the IBCC Fall Friends Zoom Gathering, Friday, November 13th, 2020 from 7:00-8:15 pm. We are delighted to have counselor and author Dr. Jim Wilder as our guest speaker that evening! We will also have an uplifting testimony and I will give you an update on the ministry of IBCC. Now our friends who don't live in Central Indiana can join us too!

Jim Wilder teaches on the importance of joyful relationships in the church. He also has trained thousands in the areas of addiction and trauma recovery. He has written several influential books, including The Life Model: Living from the heart Jesus gave you.

If you would like to attend this online event please click the link below to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xv6enuvUSgO1_D8N1Plsnw

You can also call our office at 317-585-1845 or email our office at office@indianabcc.com. We will make sure that we send you the link for the event. There is no charge for this online event.

Dr. Jim Wilder is our guest speaker for this online IBCC event.
Date: Friday, November 13th, 2020
Time: 7:00 -8:15 PM
Location: Online Event on Zoom or Facebook Live

A NEW LIFE!

 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a transformational Gospel! The reality is that we have been transformed by the same power that raised Jesus Christ. Christ lives in our hearts and we can bear fruit in our lives if we abide in Him. 

The Exchanged Life in Christ

Romans 8:10-13—“But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

• We substitute Christ’s life for the self-life.

Colossians 3:10, “… put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” 

• We are identified with Christ in his crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension. 

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 

• We are free from the law of sin and of death through the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:2, “for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

• We must acknowledge these truths by faith and present ourselves to God as people who are alive from the dead.

Romans 8:9-11, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[d]from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

• The basis of our salvation is also the basis of our sanctification. 

Galatians 3:2-3—“Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Just as we are justified by grace through faith, so we are sanctified by grace through faith. Good works are not attained by our own fleshly efforts; they flow from the power of the Spirit of Christ who indwells us.(Galatians 5:16-25). 

• Brokenness and unconditional surrender are part of the process of appropriating Christ’s life. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10—“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

• Only Christ Himself can live the Christian life, and He does this in us and through us. 

John 15:1-5—"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 

May the grace of God strengthen you in these difficult days!

Jeff