Putting on Christ

How can we live a victorious life in Christ Jesus?

I've been thinking alot this a.m. about us- people- children of God, yes, but people. How we are
so complex. We have all these needs- these wants. We have fears, speculations. We SOMETIMES let anger descend on us so quickly, and out our mouths that we wonder "who could that person be?" Lord, help me! Sometimes we let our minds wander in places they should not. Often times, we would rather wallow in self pity- self interest- than do what is the necessary thing. FORGIVE. So, we are people- not perfect, but loved by the One who loves us unconditionally.
Why oh why do we, as God's people, put 'conditions' on others? I'll love you...if....
I'll forgive you....if

I was reading God's word this a.m. I read from the book of Ephesians- Chapter 4, starting with
verse 14.
God was reminding me that victory is easily mine- if only I walk by the Spirit, instead of my flesh.
God says that we can have new life in Christ- that certainly appeals to me- shrugging off this
old, dead, deceitful skin of mine- for a new life in Christ here and now- on this earth. The Bible says:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,
but speaking the truth in LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.......(more said...more said), and finally, 17- "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,
that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (vanity of mind-?) having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the BLINDNESS OF THEIR HEART."

OH MY. We can have blindness of heart? vanity of mind?
19- "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness(unbridled sin-lewdness) to work all uncleaness with greediness" 20- "But, you have not so learned Christ.
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth that is in Jesus:
22- that YE put off concerning the former converstion- the old man, which is corrupt according
to the 'deceitful' lusts, and YOU- be reneewed in the spirit of your mind- that you put on the
new man- which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holiness".

it goes on to say...put away lying- speak truth to your neighbor.
26- "BE YE ANGRY AND SIN NOT- let not the sun go down upon YOUR wrath"
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27-"neither give ye place to the devil "- (neither give the devil an OPPORTUNITY)
28 & 29-" let him that stole, steal no more- Let no corrupt communication come from your mouth"
30-"GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, WHERE YOU ARE SEALED FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION"-
31-"LET ALL bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice"-
32- "BE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER-TENDERHEARTED- FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER- EVEN AS GOD, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, HAS FORGIVEN YOU!"

Well, what all that is saying to me is...GOD UNDERSTANDS US PERFECTLY. HE KNOWS US INSIDE AND OUT- (psalms 139) We are NOT perfect- we make mistakes- we sin- we get angry-vexed- full of ourselves, BUT, THERE IS HOPE.
hOPE IN JESUS CHRIST- HE SUFFERED everything for us on this earth, and He knows what
we go through each and every day.
VICTORY- IS HERE- waiting for us....If only we grab hold of it. If only, we believe in HIS POWER to reconcile and make new. WE CAN FORGIVE, BECAUSE HE FORGAVE US.
WE ARE TOLD TO FORGIVE. "Forgive, and YOU shall be forgiven".
UNFORGIVENESS CAN EAT US UP.
We have to daily, come to our Lord and Savior, and seek forgiveness for our sins- whatever they may be- however, big or small. "When we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

It is a work. It's not that hard. The profits are so great.
My sister taught me this principle- daily going to our Lord above-confessing my sins, seeking God's forgiveness. I KNOW God forgives and makes new. God can overcome anything for us- He did for me! People can change. Healings can occur. Wholeness can come forth!
WE have to BELIEVE IN HIM! He daily pours out His love on us. He strengthens and believes in us even when we don't. Our Lord wants us to walk in victory.

I heard a pastor say the other day, when the devil was cast out of Heaven, He took with him
one third of the angels- they went willingly. They became demons. Imagine if you will- In Heaven- serving the Lord Jesus- God Almighty- having all of that love and power surrounding you!
The devil wanted more. What God had- He wanted. Those angels wanted more. What more could they have wanted? More authority? more power? They tried to come against Almighty God?
They were cast out of Heaven.
They became demons here on this earth. There is a 'spiritual warfare' going on this earth- each
and every day, but we don't have to give up, or give in. WE don't have to run in fear!
God is on our side! We need to know that two-thirds of those angels did not leave our Lord. They served God on a daily basis, and still do, obeying His commands! Angels are at our side. Also, know that we have the great High Priest- JESUS CHRIST.praying for us from His Father's right side- each and every day.Imagine, God's SON- praying for you! We have the blessed HOLY SPIRIT. We have the WORD of GOD- our Bibles, if only we open them up and let God speak to us!
Surely, we can have the MIND of our LORD JESUS, and walk in victory each and every day- all that is given to us for victory is ours. IF, only we take hold of it.
Satan tells us 'there is no hope". Nothing will ever change! We are not capable of changing.
Between the devil's lies and our own selfishness, we decide it's not worth it!- BUT IT IS!!
WE have to turn to the LORD- get into HIs Word- believe it- use it! God's power and love is in us His people. 'Greater is He who is in you- than HE who is in this world!
Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit, but 'walk in love". Put on the whole armor of Christ- Trust in HIM to bring true forgiveness in our beings- Trust in HIM to work out our problems. Trust in Him- to bring us through these 'tests' on this earth. Trust in HIM to overcome the demons that want to drag us with them into their Hell.
We can overcome our thoughts, our 'feelings', our hurts, our pain, our unforgiveness- if ONLY
we turn to the Lord, and bring them captive to HIM. LAY IT ALL AT HIS FEET.

We who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, overcome the enemy BY the Word of our Testimony(that we have accepted Christ as our Savior- acknowledged HIM as our Savior) and by the Blood of the Lamb! (Just as the Jews were directed to apply the blood of the lamb to their doorposts, when the plagues came on Egypt- we as God's people, are to APPLY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB- JESUS- TO US- to our families- our homes). Christ Jesus has given us the authority- through His Word- if ONLY we use HIS WORD- if ONLY WE BELIEVE IN IT!
The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, has FREED US FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. We don't have to live a defeated life. Christ Has paid the price for our sins.

"Father in Heaven, you are Lord. You. We are in this world, Father, but not of it. We are a people that CAN walk in victory each and every day, because of you Lord. Your sending your precious Son in this world to literally pull us out of the devil's hands- to set us free.
Jesus- you gave us your life. You overcame everything the devil would come at us with- sickness and sin. All. You gave your life so willingly- Should we not so with others? Why is it
so much work for us to forgive? Our Pride? Our vainess of mind?
Help us today Lord. Every day, Lord, Help us -- help me! - to do as Your Word says "Put on Christ!"- Just as we get up and put on our clothes for the day, may we clothe ourselves with you and receive true victory!!-Set us free from the devil's lies and schemes- and from our own selfishness!
Bless us with your presence. IN JESUS'S PERFECT NAME. AMEN.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (in the flesh), but MIGHTY thru GOD to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every HIGH thing that exults itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of God".