Today, as you are faced again with
your weakness, remember that the Holy Spirit lives within you with powerful,
enabling grace.
What does that mean?
What
does that look like?
It means because of what Jesus did, we have power to overcome the things we struggle with.
It means because of what Jesus did, we have power to overcome the things we struggle with.
Before Jesus, fighting wasn’t an
option. There was no fight. Sin had us pinned. Sin had us beaten. But now… we
are ABLE to fight...
But I'm not just talking about sin.
I'm talking about the things in this life that hold us back from our fullest potential. The things that consume our minds, the things which make us feel inadequate or unworthy of living differently.
But I'm not just talking about sin.
I'm talking about the things in this life that hold us back from our fullest potential. The things that consume our minds, the things which make us feel inadequate or unworthy of living differently.
What are
those things for you? Be honest.
Let's get practical.
(Don't give blanket answers.)
How? and When?
How are you going to begin fighting out of faith?
When will you begin?
The Gospel attacks feelings of
inadequacies, hurts, doubts, insecurities... Oh they may still be around, but
their power is cut. Their stranglehold on how I live is loosened. The pit they
try to force me into has been filled.
For
God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God
reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and
on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20 NLT)
But God is so
rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace
that you have been saved! (Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT)
Friends, when you go back to life next week with the same feeling of worthlessness, when you feel underappreciated, when you feel too stupid to accomplish the task at school, when you are confused, when you are hurt, when someone violently attacks you… whether physically or verbally... When you think all hope of anything good is all lost...
Remember the Gospel that undercuts everything in this life and reminds us that this is not our home.
I'm with you in this today. I'm living this right here. Right now. I'm attacking my own feelings of inadequacy. I'm wrestling with my own thoughts of, "Now what?!"
I'm attacking by using the message of Jesus. I'm looking forward to that glorious day. I'm looking for extra opportunities to actively love my neighbor.
Because I know how the story ends.
Friends, when you go back to life next week with the same feeling of worthlessness, when you feel underappreciated, when you feel too stupid to accomplish the task at school, when you are confused, when you are hurt, when someone violently attacks you… whether physically or verbally... When you think all hope of anything good is all lost...
Remember the Gospel that undercuts everything in this life and reminds us that this is not our home.
I'm with you in this today. I'm living this right here. Right now. I'm attacking my own feelings of inadequacy. I'm wrestling with my own thoughts of, "Now what?!"
I'm attacking by using the message of Jesus. I'm looking forward to that glorious day. I'm looking for extra opportunities to actively love my neighbor.
Because I know how the story ends.
“Brothers and sisters, listen! We are here to
proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.
Everyone who believes in him is declared
right with God—something the law of Moses could never do. (Acts 13:38, 39
NLT)
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Nathan Bryant
is a pastor at River Run Church in East Orlando, FL. As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology. In 2014 he attended the Leadership Institute in Phoenix, AZ where he continued his education from other pastors and educators at one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan has a combined passion for unity and discipleship in the global church.
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.
Follow him on Twitter: Follow @nathanpbryant
Nathan's Website
Follow him on Twitter: Follow @nathanpbryant
Nathan's Website
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