Christ Alive In You

CHRIST ALIVE IN YOU!

Does anything frustrate you? Stuff like your parents, friends, school, your dating life, even yourself? Have those frustrations been caused by your own wrong actions or attitudes? Some frustrations are caused by circumstances you can't control. Many times, you bring frustration upon ourselves by saying or doing something wrong. You don't do what you know you should do and do what you know is foolish or wrong. The great apostle Paul claimed, "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." ( Romans 7:15) Paul got frustrated, but he knew the solution. "Christ lives in you and this is the assurance you will share in His glory." (Col. 1:27)

The secret for living a Christ-like life

is

that Jesus is alive in you!

Do you really believe that? When you got born again or 'saved', you received Christ into your heart and life. Now, you're a follower of Jesus. Jesus is your master, leader, boss of your life... your everything. Living the Christian life isn't about doing your best for God. It's about allowing Christ to live His life in and through you! How does this happen?

You surrender complete control of your life to HIM!

Before you received Christ, he lived outside your life. You tried to control your life and sat on the throne of your heart. Frustration happens. Then, you got saved and gave Jesus control of your life. He sits on the throne of your heart. You are fulfilled. If you take control and sit back on the throne of your heart, you call the shots and become the boss of your life you get frustrated again. Jesus is still there but not in control. When you try and control things, you eventually mess up and sin. So many Christian young people  make stupid, foolish mistakes and suffer negative consequences because they haven't made Jesus boss of their life. They only obey the commands of God they like and ignore the rest. They think a little sin is okay, it won't hurt them and God won't notice. Wrong!

"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Sin will destroy you mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Sometimes instant death, but usually a slow death. So slow, you don't realize something in you is dying. Sin is simply you controlling your own life, doing what you want, not what God wants. Is there any area of your life you've taken control of and not given it to God. What wrong, sinful thoughts, attitudes or behaviors do you hold onto or allow to control you. Ask God to rip them out of you. Right now... confess it to God. Give Him complete control. He knows what's best for you.

GOD WANTS ALL OF YOU!!

Christ wants to live his life in and out through you! You may 'have' Jesus, but how much of you does Jesus have? He wants all of you, every room in your heart, every area of your life. He wants your life to be frustration free and to bear much fruit for Him. How does this happen? "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) You must stay attached to Jesus and draw life from Him. That means you grow in your intimate, forever love relationship with Him. Cling to Jesus. Surrender your whole life to Him. Make your life...  all about Jesus!

LOVE YOURSELF and OTHERS!

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, "That guy really loves himself." That probably means he's stuck up, stuck on himself, thinks he's special and God's gift to women. It's okay to love yourself... the way God sees you!

To love yourself is to respect yourself.

Most people don't accept themselves. Why?  Because of something they don't like in their appearance. Maybe because their parents fight or are divorced they feel unacceptable or rejected. Some feel they have no talent, special abilities, think they're dumb or stupid. When you don't accept yourself you can begin to view yourself in the negative ways others may view you. You can feel inferior and do unhealthy, sinful things those who appear better or smarter than you do. You can get mad at God, blaming Him for how he made you. You start to think, "No one loves me. I'm messed up. I have no talent. I'm a loser." No matter what negative things you may think about yourself you MUST remember... God made you and:

God doesn't make mistakes!

People are too judgmental and critical. They can say mean, cruel, demeaning things about you. The enemy Satan will always make sure someone crosses your path to make you think wrong thoughts about yourself. He doesn't want you to see and believe God loves you just the way He made you.  Take time to list all the things you do like about yourself and then thank God for them. None of us are perfect. We all have some flaws and shortcomings.

Because JESUS lives in you, God loves and accepts you!

The Bible says God made us "accepted in the beloved." (Eph. 1:6 KJV) That means, because Christ is in you, God loves and accepts you just the way you are. He'll never love and accept your sin or sinful behavior, but He will always love you. There's not a part of God that stops loving you if Jesus is in you! You're special and precious to God, your perfect Heavenly Father. Before you were born He planned good things for you to do. "For we are God's workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Eph. 2:10 NIV)

God has GOOD things for you to do for Him!

But maybe, you still want some things about you to change. Ask God to help you change. You can "be transformed." (Romans 12:2 NIV) If you need to lose weight, get on a plan and ask God for strength to help you follow through. If you have a bad attitude, ask God to help you change. One thing God will surely do if you ask Him. He'll change you to be more like Christ. That's the most important change He wants to make in you. Thank God for the way He made you. If you live a life totally surrendered to Him, God will make sure you become all He's designed you to be and you won't miss His plan for your life. And when you look in the mirror, forget the standard for looking good beauty and fashion magazines want you to live up to. It's okay to want to look attractive and nice, but what's most important is always to remember God sees you as the beautiful apple of His eye. You're of great value to god. The more you become aware of His love for you, the more you'll love Him and even love others. Remember this truth: When God made you...

HE DIDN'T MAKE NO JUNK!!