Need An Attitude Adjustment?

Scripture: "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: Blessed are..." Matthew 5:1-12

Study: The Old Testament ended with a curse (Malachi 4:6). Righteousness had been reduced to a little more than ceremony and tradition, sacrifice of animals, and man-made temples. Their understanding of the kingdom was nothing more that the hope for a king that would bring political power to the nation of Israel. But, God is the God of hope. The New Testament begins with a blessing, eternal life. Jesus had travel throughout the surrounding area of Galilee teaching the blessing to all who would receive it, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

The kingdom of heaven is a new way of life. Because so many misunderstand the coming kingdom of Christ, Jesus sat down and began to teach them what it meant to be kingdom-minded or for Christ to reign in their lives. He was so careful but in reality, he was telling them they needed an attitude adjustment. In other words if you belong to me your attitude will reflect my character. 

Application: Many see the gospel light and hear the gospel sound but never experience transformation in their lives because they will not allow the light and sound to sink into the the depths of their mind and heart.  Kingdom living, abundant life, is not just for tomorrow but how we live our lives in the present. However, without an attitude change will not be blessed. Jesus was telling the crowd, to inherit the kingdom requires evidence of an attitude change. In other words, "A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you are not going anywhere until you change it." 

As a child of God we are changed or transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our new attitude and character is evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. Without this new attitude we will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. 

How blessed are you? Some days I need an attitude adjustment. What kind of attitude adjustment do you need?   

Prayer: 

Dear Father, reveal to me the attitudes in my life that are not kingdom-minded. Help me to surrender my attitude so that you can produce in me your attitude and character. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Your Baptism

Scripture: 
This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21

Thoughts for the Day: 
Many individuals can remember as a child wanting Jesus in their lives. Teachers do a good job explaining a loving, accepting Jesus who died for their sins. A person is then baptized to share with their family and friends the decision they have made in their lives. Tell me about your experience with Jesus? Do you remember when you accepted Jesus into your life? Were you baptized? Then what happened?

Baptism is symbolic...

1) of what Christ did for you on the Cross. Because of our sin nature, we sin, and we are not able to justify ourself. You may be self-made, have climbed the ladder of worldly success, but you are not able to save your own souls. You may not announce it to the world but within time you will come to that knowledge.  Jesus gave his life to pay the price for our sins. He died, was buried, and was resurrected. He was victorious over the grave. We cannot do anything for ourselves but that we accept the gift of eternal life we can have through Jesus Christ. Baptism is symbolic of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

2) of what Christ has done within you. At baptism we die to ourself; we are buried, our sins and all; and arise to a new life in Christ. This means that we no longer live for ourselves, or by the world's standard,  but we focus on Jesus Christ and seek to be obedient to God's calling in our life. 

Baptism does not save a person. A person accepts Jesus way of salvation and this decision is followed by baptism to show what has already happened in the person's life. 

Application: 

1. What did your baptism mean to you? 
2. Did it represent a changed life? 
3. If Christ has not made a difference in your life, accept Him and be baptized.

Prayer: Dear father, thank your loving act in giving of you son Jesus, that through his death, burial, and resurrection, we can have life. Help me to not take this act lightly. Help me to die to myself and be obedient to your calling on my life, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Acts 9: 3-6 GET RID OF YOUR JUNK

Have you had an experience that you would say, changed your whole life, or at least how you perceive life? I have, (almost drowning, a vision, experiencing child’s birth, etc.) Saul had a life changing experience that changed his life. It so changed his life that he got rid of his junk and started life with a new beginning.

Scripture:

Acts 9: 3-6 “3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” 5. Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Lesson:

What kind of experience constitutes a life changing experience? For me it is those life-defining moments, when  God gets our attention? When things are going so good, we are on the mountain top, we look at life and just think of how WE have made it, (by our smarts, good looks, wit, who we know, etc.) Often time we fail to recognize God or give Him the credit.  However, we begin to see things a little different when crises smack us in the face (divorce, health problems, financial ruin, dying church, etc.)

God uses those experiences to get our attention. It is harder to look up when we're at the top of a mountain, (our eyes look across into the horizon or through the valley) but, when we are in the valley you can only look up. There is something about being in the pit, it is so much easier to recognize who God is and to cry out to God. It was not until Saul became blind did it occur to him to ask, “What do you want me to do?” 

When we are wrong, I mean dead wrong, how easy is it for us to recognize it? Not easy for we think we are right. It is even harder to admit it. But when we come into the presence of God we see truth, for God is truth. We are able to not only experience God we will see our true selves (our rights and wrongs.) We see the need for God in our lives. 

But hear this....When he encountered God, the experience with God changed his life. It was like he was born into a new life. That is why Christians call it, born in Christ God called Saul out of his past and gave him this new beginning. Did you hear that, his past was past? He began, a new man? You know, God did not tell him to clean up all the mistakes of the past. He just told him to walk in a different direction. When Paul said, What do you want me to do? God said, Do what I tell you to do. 

It does not matter what you did a minute ago or 5 years ago. Some individuals have a hard time putting all their junk in the trash can. Put it there and begin this new relationship now. Our lives in Christ is about the present and future, not the Past. 

Application:

1.     1.     Have you experience some life defining moments in your life?

2.     Could God be asking you, “Why have you been playing “religious” when you can have a true relationship with me?

3.     Are you satisfied with the relationship you have with God? Are the things you are doing bringing satisfaction?

4.     Has the relationship you have with Jesus changed your life?

5.     Are you so focus on righting your past that you fail to focus on the present?

6.     Are you willing to live in the present by saying, “Lord, What would you have me do?” It will change your life.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I have been living for myself and trying to adhere to all the rules, of being a “good” Christian. The truth is, I can never do enough to justify myself in your sight. I have sinned, and I accept Jesus as my redeemer. Help me to accept your forgiveness and move on with my life, the life you are calling me to live. Help me to seek you first, to establish an intimate relationship with you. Make me a new creature in you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.