Tony's Corner

Abiding in Christ

2011-02-09T19:44:00.000-08:00

There are many books, articles and conferences that deal with discipleship. With all the vast amount of information available, I realize that, I still have much to learn in regards to discipleship. As I look at Jesus and how He developed His disciples I see six marks that indicate a true disciple or follower of Christ. Here is my list.

1. Places Jesus above everything else (Lk 14:26)

2. Deny's himself and carries his cross (Lk 14:27)

3. Is willing to give up everything for Jesus (Lk 14:33)

4. Loves like Christ loved (Jn 13:34)

5. Bears much fruit (Jn 15:8)

6. Abides in Christ (Jn 8:31)

Victory over sin is possible as we abide in Christ, but before we can realize that victory, we have to first understand what abiding in Christ means. The word abide in the original language has several meanings and occurs in the context of remaining in a certain location, enduring or waiting, and remain as one.

Abiding or waiting in a certain location takes intentionality. In our hurried lives, many find it difficult to remain still let alone remain in one location for a prolonged period of time. As disciples if our desire is to grow in Christ then we have to be intentional about consistently remaining in God’s word. God’s word is the life source for the believer and without it we are starving ourselves. No one starves themselves Monday through Saturday and then gorges themselves on Sunday, so why is it that we do this with our spirits?

We starve our souls through out the week as we neglect to feast on God’s word. We then take our ravenous souls to Sunday service to gorge on whatever morsel of God's Word we may be given. It is no wonder why many Christians feel that their faith is week.

Are you starving your soul or are you feasting on God's word?

Christ our LIFE!

2011-02-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

The apostle Paul wrote that he had been crucified with Christ and that he longer lived but rather Christ lived in him (Gal 2:20). What does that mean? I would say that at the moment of salvation we die to the flesh and to our sinful evil nature. We are no longer controlled by the old sin nature. Through Christ’s substitutionary death we also died and not only did He die for our sin but His death also broke the power of sin over our lives.
By abiding in Christ we can have victory over the old sinful nature that desires to control us. According to Rom 6:2 we have died to sin and since we are dead to sin how are we alive to Christ?

As a follower of Christ I know that I have died to sin but the question we all have to ask ourselves is this; Do I really believe that I have died to sin and if so, do my actions reflect that belief?

It's been a long time

2011-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

Wow,

It's been a long time since I last blogged. I plan on getting better at that this year.

Chasing Lions...

2009-05-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

I am reading this pretty good book called "In a pit with a Lion on snowy day" and it has caused me to look at fears and failures (Lions) in a whole new light.

God is usually trying to use what we run from to either 1.) Bring glory to Him or 2.) Teach us something that will mold us into the image of His Son.

There is this part in the book where the author writes about being inoculated and how a little bit of a virus is given to you so that you can build up immunity to that virus.

He went on to say facing our fears and failures is kind of like being spiritually inoculated from whatever situation we find ourselves in. Think about it, how will God grow our trust in Him unless he places us in a situation that will cause us to rely on Him and learn to trust Him.

“The more we grow, the bigger God should get. And the bigger God gets, the smaller our lions get.” - Mark Batteron

2009-04-30T12:52:00.001-07:00

The Kids are coming!!!!!

2009-04-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

As I sit here I just can't stop thinking that in a few short weeks my home is going to be drastically changed forever. Ana and I have had plenty of time to get ready but I don’t think you will ever be fully ready for the changes that come with adoption. It is overwhelming at times to think that in spite of all my failures God he chosen to use me to bless the lives of three children. My hope and prayer is that I would be able to always show the love of Christ to them and lead them into a saving relationship with our Lord Almighty.

This time of preparation has really given me a fresh look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about adoption. In Romans 8:14-45 Paul says that all who are lead by the Spirit are sons of God by which we cry out “Abba! Father!”. As I look to the kids I realize that it is going to take sometime before the call me “Dad” or “Daddy” and that I am going to have to love on them so that they feel the love and close enough to acknowledge me as their father. It will have to be a choice on their part to allow that love to penetrate their hearts.

This has caused me to question my own relationship with our adoptive father in heaven. Am I choosing to let him love on me and draw me close or am I keeping my distance. My adoptive kids will have the choice to call me “Daddy” or “Tony” and just like them I can chose to cry out “Abba! Father!” or “God”. I am realizing that for me sometimes this is a daily choice.

This is just one of the many thoughts bouncing around in my head as I get ready for the kids to come so thanks for listening.