Open Your Spiritual Eyes

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Open Your Spiritual Eyes and Walk in the Light

Introduction: 

Many people navigate life based on what they can see, measure, and control in the world around them. The physical world feels complete, self-explanatory, and authoritative. Success, loss, suffering, and meaning are interpreted through tangible material cause and effect.

Reality is much bigger than what you can see.

We live in a visible, natural world that is created, sustained, and influenced by an invisible spiritual realm. What we see through our physical eyes is very real real, but it is not the whole story; it is just the temporary visible tip of an eternal spiritual iceberg. The unseen spiritual world actually governs and controls this physical world we experience in this temporary earthly life, and when we complete this life we shift locations and live in that spiritual world.

People who only see the physical part of reality will misinterpret many aspects of their earthly life. They do not realize their earthly life is a journey intended to mold them and shape them for usefulness in an eternal kingdom. They will form a character with motives and beliefs and patterns of behavior optimized for life in this fallen world, rather being prepared for eternal life with God the creator.

Our calling is very clear: We are to look beyond what we can see in the temporary physical world in front of us and appreciate the invisible spiritual world with has eternal consequences.  

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  — 2 Corinthians 4:18

What Are Spiritual Eyes vs. Natural Eyes?

Natural eyes are limited to the material dimension of life. They see people, events, resources, and outcomes—but only as physical phenomena. Life is interpreted through visible cause and effect.

Spiritual eyes are opened to recognize that the natural world exists within a larger spiritual reality. They perceive the unseen forces, purposes, and intentions that shape what happens in the visible world.

Jesus described this distinction clearly:

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”  — Matthew 6:22–23

Your “eye” represents what you recognize as most real and most authoritative. If your perception is limited to what can be seen, your inner life is filled with darkness—not because you are immoral, but because you are blind to the full reality governing your life.

Why Do Spiritual Eyes Matter?

Because vision determines priorities, and priorities determine direction, and direction determines destiny.

Those who live by natural sight:

    • Interpret life as primarily about comfort, security, and success
    • View suffering as meaningless or unfair
    • See people as obstacles, threats, or assets
    • Measure value by outcomes

Those who live by spiritual sight:

    • Understand life as preparation for eternity
    • Recognize suffering as formative and purposeful
    • See people as eternal souls
    • Measure value by faithfulness, obedience, and love

If a person believes the material world is the whole story, then eternal priorities feel abstract and silly.

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Being ignorant of the spiritual world, and God, and His commandments will lead to problems 

“My children are destroyed for their lack of knowledge.” – Hosea 4:6

If a person focuses on their own interests and optimizing their temporary earthly life experience, it will generate adverse consequences now and for eternity

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8

Our calling is explicit:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

When spiritual eyes are opened, we can appreciate the redeeming work of Jesus, reorder our lives around God’s purpose for us, and come into alignment with His kingdom.

“I (Jesus) now send you (Paul), to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:17-19

What Eyes Am I Currently Seeing With?

The Eyes you use to see things directly impacts your attitude and you approach to life.

    • Natural eyes focus on optimizing earthly life; control, outcomes, fear, and immediacy.
    • Spiritual eyes focus on aligning with God’s will; trust, obedience, eternity, and God’s promises.
    • If your peace rises and falls with circumstances, you are likely seeing naturally.
    • If God’s truth reframes your circumstances, you are learning to see spiritually.

The following is a list of earthly situations and how our natural eyes see them verses how they can be seen through mature spiritual eyes. 

Situation Natural Eyes Spiritual Eyes Reference
Death Loss and ending Gain and transition “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Phil 1:21
Giving Loss of resources High-yield eternal investment “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35
Suffering Meaningless pain Formation and refinement “The trial of your faith… produces patience.” — Jas 1:3
Obedience Restriction Alignment with life “In keeping them there is great reward.” — Ps 19:11
Forgiveness Letting someone “win” Freedom and cleansing “If you forgive… your Father will forgive you.” — Matt 6:14
Humility Weakness Strength under God “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” — Jas 4:6
Wealth Security A Test Of Stewardship “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matt 6:21
Time Scarcity and pressure Eternal opportunity “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Ps 90:12
Success Comfort and status Faithfulness and fruit “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” — 1 Cor 4:2
Earthly Life Something to protect Something to lay down “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” — Matt 16:25

How Do I Open My Spiritual Eyes:

Spiritual eyes are opened by exposure to God’s Word.

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18

Spiritual eyes are developed through repeated exposure to God’s revealed truth, paired with humility, obedience, and prayer. The more we focus and learn, the more we begin to see the full reality God has revealed—the unseen causes behind the seen world, the purpose behind human life, and God’s long plan to restore creation.

The aspects below summarize the critical realities spiritual eyes must perceive, followed by Scripture paths for deeper development.

The themes are in sequenced from top to bottom as a logical build to help establish a complete, coherent worldview rather than isolated insights.

How To Use The Table:

Read through the full table and see which messages are familiar and comfortable, and which ones are new or unclear to you.

Starting from the top,  study the anchor and dig deeper verses for any areas that are unclear so you gain insight and build understanding.  

Review and meditate on each verse with the intention of understanding the spiritual reality going on and what it means for you.

Approach each passage by asking:

      • What unseen reality is being revealed here?
      • What does this change about how I see and interpret my life today?
      • What obedience is God inviting me into? What do i need to think or say or do differently to align with God’s intention.

Key Things to See With Spiritual Eyes

Theme Key Message Spiritual Eyes See Anchor Verse Where To Dig Deeper
Spiritual Nature Of Reality The visible world is real, but governed by unseen spiritual causes “The things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” — Heb 11:3 Hebrews 11:1–3;

2 Corinthians 4:16–18;

Ephesians 6:12
Creator & Authority God created, owns, and sustains all things “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” — Ps 100:3 Genesis 1:1–28;

Isa 45:5–7;

Rom 11:36
Human Purpose We were intentionally formed to bear God’s image, represent Him on earth, and partner with Him in continued creation.  “Let Us make man in Our image.” — Gen 1:26 1 Corinthians 3:9

Ps 139:13–16;

Jer 1:5;

Eph 2:10
The Fall Human nature and creation were corrupted by sin “Through one man sin entered the world.” — Rom 5:12 Gen 3;

Rom 5:12–19;

Jer 17:9
Spiritual Opposition The fallen world is actively trying to deceive us and distract us from God and our intended purpose “The god of this age has blinded the minds.” — 2 Cor 4:4 1 Peter 5:8-9

Revelation 12:9-11;

1 John 5:19;

John 10:10
 God’s Restoration Plan God has been working across generations to restore creation “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” — Acts 15:18 Ephesians 3:8-12

Gen 12:1–3;

Ps 78;

Heb 11
Alignment & Consequences Blessing flows from alignment; disorder flows from self-rule “I have set before you life and death…love the Lord your God,… obey His voice, and …cling to Him” — Deut 30:19-20 Ps 1;

Prov 3:5–10;

Gal 6:7–8
Submission & Rescue God responds when we surrender fully and seek Him “You will seek Me and find Me.” — Jer 29:13 Isa 55:6–7;

James 4:6–10
Jesus’ Incarnation God entered creation to rescue and restore what was lost through Adam “The Word became flesh.” — John 1:14 Phil 2:5–11;

Col 2:9–15

Heb 2:14–18
Fear of God Right relationship begins with reverence and humility “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” — Prov 9:10 Luke 12:4–5;

Eccl 12:13
Salvation & New Birth Eternal life is received, not earned “By grace you have been saved.” — Eph 2:8–9 John 3:3–8;

Titus 3:3–7
Life’s True Mission This life prepares us for eternity and draws others to God “Let your light so shine before men.”  – Matt 5:16 Matt 28:18–20;

2 Cor 5:17–20

How Can I Further Develop Spiritual Eyes?

Spiritual sight is trained through submission, not information.

1. Repent of Living by Natural Sight

Spiritual sight begins with acknowledging that human reasoning and self-reliance cannot lead a godly life.

Repentance includes turning from a material-only understanding of life.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. — Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)

2. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word

The Word of God is the primary lens through which spiritual reality is revealed and clarified.

“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”  — Psalm 119:130

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  — 2 Timothy 3:16

Expose yourself to the word of God at least daily

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8:

3. Renew Your Mind Daily

Old patterns of seeing must be actively replaced with God’s truth through repetition, meditation, reflection and purposfull action.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” –  Romans 12:2

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  — Colossians 3:2

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

4. Obey What God Has Already Shown You

Spiritual understanding increases through obedience, not argument or analysis.

“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…”  — John 7:17 

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”   — James 1:22

5. Pray for Further Illumination

Spiritual sight is ultimately a gift from God and must be sought intentionally..

“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”  –  Psalm 119:18

“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.”  — 1 Corinthians 2:14

Closing Thought — A Call to Action

You were not placed in this world to extract comfort from a broken system. You were placed here to be formed for eternity and to reflect God in a world that cannot see Him.

“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” — Ephesians 5:14

Choose today to shift your gaze from what is temporary to what is eternal. Train your vision through God’s Word. Walk forward in obedience. 

Open your spiritual eyes.
Walk in the light.
Live for the Kingdom that is already here and waiting for you.

Who Are You Living For

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Still Living for Yourself? Change Course Now — or Expect More Consequences

Introduction: 

Many people assume that as long as they believe in God, the direction of their life is secure. Scripture does not support that assumption. The Bible is relentlessly clear: the way you live reveals who you belong to, and the direction you choose now is shaping both your present life and your eternity.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” — Galatians 6:7

God does not force intimacy, obedience, or transformation. If you choose to live for yourself now—centered on your own desires, comfort, and control—you are training your heart to live apart from Him.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24

Living separate from God does not begin at death; it begins now. When a person repeatedly resists God’s authority, love, and truth, their life gradually organizes itself around self—self-preservation, self-gratification, and self-justification. Over time, that separation becomes normal, even comfortable.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12

This trajectory has consequences: relational breakdown, inner emptiness, increasing deception, and ultimately an eternity consistent with the life a person chose to live.

“He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
— Galatians 6:8

Because God is loving, He does not remain silent while someone drifts away from Him. He allows resistance, discomfort, and trials—not as punishment, but as mercy.

“For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” — Hebrews 12:6

These pressures are meant to interrupt self-centered living and call a person back to humility, truth, and repentance. Suffering alone does not transform anyone; repentance does.

Why Living for Self Feels Normal in a Fallen World

Living for yourself rarely begins with conscious rebellion. It begins with formation.

From birth, we are immersed in a fallen world system that trains us to center life on self. Scripture names this system clearly:

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
— 1 John 2:16

Our fallen nature predisposes us in this direction.

Left unchecked, the flesh does not drift toward obedience or love—it drifts inward, toward control and comfort.

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another.” — Galatians 5:17

This is why Scripture never instructs us to manage the flesh, we must crucify it.

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” — Galatians 5:24

Life wounds accelerate this drift. Rejection, betrayal, injustice, and failure create pain that demands relief.

Instead of bringing wounds to God, many people turn to substitutes—pleasure, success, approval, power, distraction.

“My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
— Jeremiah 2:13

Over time, coping mechanisms harden into patterns. Patterns become identities. What once felt like survival begins to feel like “who I am.”

“But exhort one another daily… lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
— Hebrews 3:13

This is how a life can organize itself around self without dramatic rebellion—only repeated choices to seek life apart from God.

Have You Already Experienced Trials?

 God often uses cycles of pressure to get attention when earlier correction is ignored.

“Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the LORD. — Amos 4:6–11 (repeated refrain)

Examples people recognize immediately:

    • Repeated relationship breakdowns despite changing partners
    • Career instability despite competence and effort
    • Chronic conflict with authority figures
    • Financial pressure despite increasing income

These are not automatic proof of sin—but they are often signals.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” — Psalm 119:67

The danger does not come from experiencing trials—the danger is failing to learn from them.

“No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  — Hebrews 12:11

Two Ways to Live: A Diagnostic Comparison

This contrast is not about intentions. It is about fruit.

“You will know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16

The issue is not what you intend, but what your life is producing.

The contrast below is not theoretical—it is diagnostic.

Attribute

 Living for Me Living for God
Core Orientation Self-preservation, Self-advancement, Self-gratification

Love, Obedience, Glorifying God through service
Primary Question “What do I get?” “What honors God and blesses others?”
View of Resources Owned, Hoarded, Leveraged for advantage Entrusted, Stewarded, Intentionally flowed outward
Thinking Pattern Transactional, Comparative, Self-justifying, Worldly Truth-oriented, Surrendered, Spiritually Discerning
Emotional Driver Fear, Pride, Envy, Craving, Insecurity Love, Peace, Humility, Trust
Decision Filter Comfort, Pleasure, Status, Safety Truth, Obedience, Eternal value
Response to Pressure Protect self, Blame, Justify Die to self, Trust God, Respond in love
View of People Tools, Threats, Obstacles, Source of Validation Image-bearers to respect, love and serve
Use of Influence Control, Impress, Secure advantage Serve, Protect, Build, Restore
Fruit Produced Strife, Emptiness, Fractured relationships Peace, Unity, Visible Christlike love

Which Life Are You Actually Living? – A Self Test

Scripture consistently calls believers to examine themselves.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5

Do not answer these based on intentions or beliefs. Answer them based on patterns.

Directional Questions

Where do your time, money, and emotional energy naturally flow?

What do you protect most fiercely when it is threatened?

When pressured, do you move toward trust and obedience—or control and self-defense?

Heart and Motivation

Do you make decisions primarily based on comfort, fear, or approval?

Are you more concerned with being right or being loving?

Do you quietly feel entitled to certain outcomes, recognition, or comforts?

Relationship Evidence

Do people around you feel used, managed, or neglected?

Or do they experience patience, generosity, and genuine care through you?

Response to Conviction

When God exposes something in you, do you justify, delay, or rationalize?

Or do you repent quickly and realign your life?

Fruit Test

Is your life producing peace, humility, and spiritual growth?

Or recurring conflict, bitterness, emptiness, and relational damage?

Fruit reveals allegiance. Patterns reveal who—or what—you are living for.

If these questions make you uncomfortable, that is not condemnation, it is an open door to God’s mercy.

God is ready, willing , and able to help you change.

How to Change Course: Repent, Crucify, Bury, Be Raised

Change does not come from trying harder. It comes from death and resurrection.

1. Repent — Change Direction, Not Just Behavior

Repentance is not regret. It is agreement with God that your old way is wrong and His way is right.

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” — Acts 3:19

It involves humility and ownership without excuse, then a decisive turn of the heart and will.

Practical actions:

      • Name your specific self-centered patterns without minimizing them
      • Confess them to God plainly
      • Stop blaming wounds, circumstances, or other people for your situations

Repentance realigns your authority structure. God becomes Lord again.

2. Crucify — Put the Flesh to Death

The flesh is at war with God and it does not negotiate. It must be denied authority and cut off.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
— Romans 8:13

Crucifixion means:

      • Saying no to desires that contradict God’s will
      • Refusing to justify sin because it feels understandable
      • Actively dismantling habits that feed self-rule

This is daily, intentional, and uncomfortable.

That discomfort is not failure—it is evidence of real change.

3. Bury — Put Off The Old Patterns And Baggage From The Past

What you refuse to bury will continue to rule you.

“Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”
— Ephesians 4:22

Burial means:

      • Removing access to the people, environments, and inputs that feed old patterns
      • Letting go of identities built on pain, success, pleasure, or control
      • Accepting that some losses are necessary for real freedom

You cannot carry your old life forward and expect a new one.

4. Be Raised — Walk in New Life, Live From a New Source

New life is not self-improvement; it is dependency.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.” — Romans 6:4

Being raised into new life means:

      • Drawing identity, worth, and security from God alone
      • Practicing obedience even when it costs you
      • Allowing God’s love to flow through you to others visibly and consistently

This is where transformation becomes evident. God’s love is no longer an idea—it is made visible through your life.

This is where God’s love becomes visible:

“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”
— 1 John 4:12

Final Warning and Final Hope

Living for yourself has a cost. Scripture is clear and direct about that.

A life trained in self-rule now is a life moving away from God—whether intended or not.

God will not force relationship on those who resist Him.

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua 24:15

But the hope is just as real as the warning.

If you are willing to repent, to die to self, and to surrender fully, God responds immediately.

He heals, restores, reorders, and empowers. No matter how long you have lived for yourself, change is possible today.

“A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.” — Psalm 51:17

The question is not whether you believe in God.

The question is: Do you live for God, Or are you still living for you?

Your Flesh Is At War With God

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Your Flesh Is At War With God – Crucify It Now

Introduction: 

Most people assume their biggest spiritual problem is a lack of effort, discipline, or knowledge. Scripture says otherwise.
Your greatest obstacle is not outside you — it is your flesh.

The Bible does not describe the flesh as weak, misguided, or neutral. It describes it as hostile, rebellious, and at war with God. And God’s solution is not improvement, therapy, or behavior management.

His solution is death.

What Does “The Flesh” Mean?

In Scripture, “the flesh” does not mean your physical body. It means your fallen, self-centered nature — the internal operating system you inherited from Adam that lives independent of God.

The flesh is the part of you that:

    • Wants control
    • Trusts self instead of God
    • Seeks comfort, pleasure, security, or significance apart from obedience
    • Justifies sin
    • Resists submission

Scripture defines the flesh with stark clarity:

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”
— Romans 8:7 

This is not indifference.
“Enmity” means active hostility.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…
For to be carnally minded is death.”  — Romans 8:5–6 

The flesh is not merely flawed.
It is incompatible with God.

What Does “Crucify the Flesh” Mean?

To crucify the flesh means to put it to death — not metaphorically, not gradually, and not partially.

Crucifixion is:

    • Final
    • Public
    • Irreversible
    • Non-negotiable

Scripture does not say manage the flesh.
It says execute it.

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” — Galatians 5:24 

Crucifying the flesh means:

    • Renouncing self-rule
    • Surrendering ownership of your life
    • Agreeing with God about your sin
    • Accepting that your old way of living must die

Jesus stated this without softening the language:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”— Luke 9:23

You do not carry a cross to improve yourself.
You carry a cross to die.

Why Is This So Important?

Because nothing of the flesh can please God.

“So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”— Romans 8:8

Because the flesh produces death, deception, and destruction:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident…
…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” — Galatians 5:19–21

And because transformation is impossible until the flesh is dealt with:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.”— Romans 7:18

God does not renovate the flesh.
He replaces it.

The Three-Step Regeneration Process

Scripture presents regeneration as a sequence, not a concept.

1. Crucify — Death to the Old Self

This is the decision point.

“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with.”
— Romans 6:6

You must agree with God that:

      • Your old life deserves death
      • Your old identity has no future
      • Self-rule must end

2. Bury — Separation From the Old Life

Crucifixion alone is not enough.
What dies must be buried.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.”— Romans 6:4

Burial means:

      • No resurrection of old habits
      • No nostalgia for the old identity
      • No keeping “backup options”

“Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”
— Ephesians 4:22

3. Be Raised New — Life in the Spirit

God never leaves you empty.

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
— Romans 6:4

This is where transformation happens:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 

New life is not self-improvement.
It is divine replacement.

How Do You Crucify the Flesh (Practically)?

1. Acknowledge the Truth

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.”— 1 John 1:9

2. Submit Fully to God

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”— James 4:7

3. Declare Death to Self

Declaration: Crucifying the Flesh

Father God,
I acknowledge that my flesh is hostile to You.
I renounce self-rule, self-reliance, and self-justification.
I choose to crucify my old nature with its desires and demands.
I bury my former way of life and release all claim to it.
I receive new life through Jesus Christ and submit fully to Your Spirit.
My life is no longer my own. I belong to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20

How Can You Tell If the Flesh Has Truly Been Crucified?

Evidence #1: New Desires

Before the flesh is crucified, the internal narrative is dominated by compulsion: “I don’t care, I want it”, “I deserve it”, “I can’t help myself,” “This is just who I am.” Desire leads, and conscience follows reluctantly. God’s commands feel restrictive, intrusive, or unrealistic because they oppose what the fallen heart wants.

After crucifixion, desire itself begins to change. The internal narrative shifts to: “I don’t want that anymore,” “That no longer fits who I am,” “Obedience actually makes sense”,  “This is a better choice.” While temptation may still appear, it no longer feels authoritative. Outwardly, this produces a noticeable reduction in habitual sin patterns—not because of increased willpower, but because the appeal of sin is weakening. You are not merely resisting evil; you are losing interest in it.

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
— Philippians 2:13

Evidence #2: Submission Over Resistance

Before crucifixion, the flesh constantly negotiates with God. The internal dialogue sounds like: “I’ll obey if it makes sense,” “I’ll submit once I understand why,” “Surely God doesn’t expect this much.” Authority feels threatening because self-rule is still assumed. Correction triggers defensiveness, justification, or delay.

After crucifixion, resistance collapses. The internal narrative becomes: “If God says it, that settles it,” “His will is safer than mine,” “I trust Him even when I don’t understand.” Outwardly, this results in faster obedience, less argument, and a willingness to yield even when obedience is costly. Submission no longer feels like loss of freedom; it feels like relief from the burden of control.

“Not my will, but Yours, be done.”— Luke 22:42 

Evidence #3: Fruit of the Spirit Appears Even When Under Pressure

Before the flesh is crucified, pressure reveals what rules you. Stress exposes irritability, anger, fear, impatience, or withdrawal. The internal narrative is reactive: “I deserve better,” “They shouldn’t treat me this way,” “I need to protect myself.” When circumstances tighten, self resurfaces instinctively.

After crucifixion, pressure still exists, but the response changes. The internal narrative becomes anchored: “God is still in control,” “I don’t need to defend myself,” “Love is still the right response.” Outwardly, this produces supernatural consistency—peace under stress, patience when provoked, gentleness when wronged. These traits are not manufactured; they emerge naturally because self is no longer fighting for dominance.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22–23

Evidence #4: Sin Looses Power Over You

Before crucifixion, sin feels inevitable. The internal narrative assumes defeat: “I’ll try again next time,” “This always gets me,” “I’ll never really change.” Even repentance can become routine rather than transformational. Sin dictates terms, and you respond.

After crucifixion, sin loses its authority. Temptation still appears, but it no longer commands compliance. The internal dialogue shifts to: “That has no claim on me,” “I am free to choose obedience,” “This is not who I am anymore.” Outwardly, this produces increasing victory—not perfection, but a clear break in patterns. You recover faster, fall less often, and refuse to make peace with what God has condemned.

““For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”— Romans 6:14 

Evidence #5: Your Identity Anchor Changes

Before crucifixion, identity is tied to performance, control, roles, wounds, or reputation. The internal narrative is self-referential: “I need to protect my image,” “I must prove my worth,” “If this fails, I fail.” Fear of loss or exposure drives many decisions.

After crucifixion, identity relocates into Christ. The internal narrative stabilizes: “I belong to Him,” “My life is not my own,” “My value is settled.” Outwardly, this produces humility, teachability, and resilience. You can be corrected without collapsing, serve without recognition, and suffer loss without losing peace—because your life is no longer centered on you.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20

Summary:

  If the flesh has been crucified:

      • Your desires are changing
      • Your resistance is weakening
      • Your reactions are transforming
      • Your sin patterns are breaking
      • Your identity is stabilizing in Christ

If these shifts are not present, Scripture does not call for more effort — it calls for deeper surrender.

Crucifixion is not symbolic.
It is experiential.
And its evidence is unmistakable.

If your flesh is still ruling, you will know it — because you will still be fighting God.

Where to Learn More

Key Scripture:

Romans 6–8 — Death to sin and life in the Spirit

Galatians 5 — Flesh vs. Spirit contrast

Colossians 3 — Putting off the old, putting on the new

Ephesians 4 — Identity transformation

John 15 — Abiding life and fruitfulness

Great Teachers/ Preachers

Dan Mohler – How to put on Christ and put off the flesh – <Video>

Final Thought

Jesus did not die so you could remain trapped in self-rule and all of its consequences in this fallen world.
He died so you could die to sin — and finally live.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
— Matthew 16:25

The flesh is at war with God.
End the war today.
Crucify it — and step into the life you were always meant to live.

Find Jesus In The Old Testament

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Find Jesus in the Old Testament and Connect the Dots of God’s Plan

Introduction: The Bible Is One Story, Not Two

Many believers read the Bible as if it were divided into two unrelated parts:

    • The Old Testament as history, law, and prophecy
    • The New Testament as grace, salvation, and Jesus

Jesus Himself rejected that approach.

The Old Testament is not merely background material—it is the foundation. From Genesis to Malachi, God is steadily revealing His plan to redeem humanity through one Person, one work, and one coherent story. Jesus Christ does not appear suddenly in Matthew; He is anticipated, foreshadowed, promised, patterned, and prepared for across the entire Old Testament.

To truly know Christ, we must learn to recognize Him where God has already been revealing Him.

Why This Matters: You Cannot Fully Know Christ Without the Old Testament

Understanding how Jesus is revealed in the Old Testament accomplishes several critical things:

    • It anchors faith in God’s long-term plan, not emotional experience
    • It reveals the consistency of God’s character and purpose
    • It deepens worship, because salvation is seen as intentional, costly, and patient
    • It strengthens discernment, protecting against shallow or distorted gospel messages
    • It fuels obedience, because revelation always carries responsibility

Without this foundation, believers are vulnerable to:

    • selective Christianity
    • moralistic teaching
    • self-centered faith
    • confusion about suffering, obedience, and holiness

God did not give us the Old Testament as optional reading—it is how He trained His people to recognize His Son.

Jesus Taught This Way After the Resurrection

After His resurrection, Jesus could have simply declared, “I am the Messiah—believe it.”
Instead, He did something far more profound.

On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)

“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)

Jesus walked His followers through the Old Testament, showing how:  the Law,  the Prophets, and the Psalms were all pointing to Him.

Later, speaking to the disciples:

“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (Luke 24:44)

Then:

“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

Connecting the dots was essential to their transformation.

They did not merely learn that Jesus rose—they learned why it had to happen and how God had been preparing for it all along.

How God Reveals Christ in the Old Testament

God reveals Jesus in multiple, layered ways, not just direct prophecy. This is why the Old Testament is so rich—and why shallow reading misses so much.

Broadly, Christ is revealed through:

    • Direct appearances
    • Foreshadowing types
    • Objects and symbols
    • Events
    • Institutions
    • Covenant patterns

These layers train God’s people to recognize the Messiah not merely by name, but by nature, role, and mission.

Here are some examples of each:

 

Mode of Revelation Description Some Examples

Direct Appearance
(Theophany / Christophany)

 God appears in visible or personal form, often speaking as the LORD The Angel of the LORD (Genesis 16; Exodus 3),

the Man who wrestled Jacob (Genesis 32),

the Commander of the LORD’s Army (Joshua 5)
Messianic Titles Descriptive names that reveal identity and role Son of Man (Daniel 7),

Branch (Isaiah 11; Jeremiah 23),

Shepherd (Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34)
Foreshadowing Characters Real people whose lives pattern Christ’s mission Adam,

Joseph,

Moses,

David,

Boaz
Redemptive Objects Physical items that symbolize Christ’s work

Passover Lamb,

Bronze Serpent,

Ark, Manna, Veil
Saving Events Historical acts that prefigure salvation

Exodus,

Day of Atonement,

Crossing the Red Sea,

Jonah’s deliverance
Institutions God-ordained systems fulfilled in Christ

Priesthood,

Sacrificial System,

Temple,

Sabbath,

Jubilee

These are not coincidences. They are intentional training tools designed by God to prepare His people to recognize the Savior when He arrived.

Examples: Connecting the Dots from the Old Testament to Christ Jesus

Here are a few representative examples:

Joseph

Rejected by his brothers, sold for silver, falsely accused, then exalted to save many lives.
→ Christ is rejected, betrayed for silver, suffers unjustly, and is exalted to save the world.

The Passover Lamb

Blood applied to the doorposts protects from judgment.
→ Christ’s blood shields us from eternal death.

The Bronze Serpent

Lifted up so that those who looked in faith would live.
→ Christ is lifted up so that all who believe may have eternal life.

The High Priest

Enters God’s presence on behalf of the people with blood.
→ Christ enters once for all, eternally interceding for us.

Each example trains the heart and mind to recognize what kind of Savior God was sending.

Why God Chose This Method

God could have revealed Christ instantly and fully—but He did not.

Instead, He chose:

    • centuries of preparation
    • progressive revelation
    • layered symbolism
    • repeated patterns

Why?

Because God is not merely saving people from judgment—He is forming a people who know Him.

This process:

    • humbles human pride
    • exposes self-centered interpretations
    • requires patience, faith, and submission
    • produces spiritual maturity

The same God who took centuries to prepare for Christ often takes years to transform a heart.

How Should We Respond?

If this is how God revealed His Son, then our response is clear:

Read the Old Testament Christ-centered, not moral-centered

Stop treating it as optional or secondary

Ask what each passage reveals about God’s redemptive plan

Allow the patterns to shape how you understand suffering, obedience, and faith

Submit your life to the same God who patiently carried out His plan

Seeing Christ throughout Scripture should not merely increase knowledge—it should produce repentance, faith, trust, and obedience.

Where to Go To Dig Deeper

Find Jesus in every book of the Old Testament: < Link To PDF >

Christ revealed through old testament characters, objects, events, and institutions < Link To PDF >

Frank Turek – Jesus In The Old Testament, Look For These Clues… < Video >

Closing Thought

When Jesus opened the Scriptures for His disciples, their hearts burned—not because they heard something new, but because they finally saw what God had been saying all along.

The Old Testament is not about rules, rituals, or random stories.
It is about preparing the world to recognize the Son.

If you want to know Jesus deeply, you must learn to find Him where God first revealed Him.

Make Gods Word Come Alive In Your Flesh

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Make God’s Word Come Alive In Your Flesh

Introduction: 

Many people read the Bible, some study the Bible, and fewer still live the Bible.

The problem is not access to Scripture.
The problem is commitment to transformation.

God never intended His Word to remain ink on a page or ideas in your head. His design is that truth would enter you, reshape you, and come out of you—through how you think, choose, speak, and serve. When that happens, the Word is no longer merely known; it is alive in your flesh.

This post explains how that happens—clearly, practically, and step-by-step.

What Does It Mean to “Make God’s Word Alive in Your Flesh”?

To make God’s Word alive in your flesh means:

Scripture governs your thinking, not culture or emotion

God’s truth shapes your desires, not self-centered loves

Obedience flows from inner alignment, not forced discipline

Your life becomes a delivery mechanism for God’s love to others

This is not moral self-improvement.
This is spiritual transformation through cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

Why This Matters

God’s Word must become flesh in us because God’s intent has always been incarnation, not information.

The eternal Word became flesh in Jesus to reveal the Father and restore what was lost.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

God now seeks to form that same life within those who believe. The Word, Christ, will form in you.

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”  — Galatians 4:19

Scripture is not merely meant to be understood or admired; it is meant to be embodied—so that Christ is expressed through our thoughts, choices, character, and actions and His glory will shine.

When God’s Word takes on flesh in us, His truth becomes visible, His love becomes tangible, and His glory is revealed through ordinary lives fully surrendered to Him.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27

There Is An Intended Learning Process – How Truth Becomes Normal

Scripture assumes a progression:

Exposure / Awareness – I encounter truth

Review / Familiarity – I revisit and remember it

Study / Understanding – I grasp meaning and implications

Application / Wisdom – I act on it in real life

Adoption / New Normal – It becomes how I live

This process involves intention, focus, and discipline intention to pursue and draw near to God 

“My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.” – Proverbs 4:20-22

Many people repeat steps 1–3 for years and wonder why nothing changes. Wisdom only forms when truth is applied, and transformation only stabilizes when obedience becomes habitual.

God’s Word Has To Overcome Your Established Beliefs and Motives.

Here is the full transformation flow from God’s word to execution in your flesh, expressed simply:

Written Word→ Understood Truth→ Convicted Heart→ Aligned Belief→ Changed Desire→ Empowered Obedience→ Visible Fruit

At every step, you must choose, and the Holy Spirit must act.

You cannot replace Him.
He will not override you. You must choose to yield your old ways and follow the Truth.

Why People Get Stalled At Some Point Along The Way

Most believers stop at one of these points:

Exposure without understanding

Understanding without conviction

Conviction without surrender

Surrender without consistent obedience

In other words, the learning process breaks before it becomes a new normal.

God’s Word becomes alive only when the entire transformation pipeline remains unbroken.

How Do I Make God’s Word Come Alive In My Flesh

Practical Steps To Make God’s Truth Becomes Your New Normal

1. Exposure & Awareness

I regularly encounter God’s truth.

Key Activities:

• Reading or hearing Scripture often and on a regular basis
• Placing myself intentionally where truth is taught
• Reducing distractions while engaging the Word

Key to Success: Consistency and intentionality.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105

Self-Test Diagnostic Questions:

1. Am I consistently exposing myself to Scripture, or only sporadically?
2. Do I approach the Word with expectation of learning or with passivity?
3. Have I structured my life to regularly encounter God’s truth?

2. Review & Familiarity

I recognize and remember God’s truth.

Key Activities:

• Re-reading key passages
• Memorizing Key Scripture verses
• Journaling or summarizing insights
• Listening to repeated teaching on the same themes

Key to Success: Repetition that builds recall under pressure.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.” — Joshua 1:8
“I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” — Psalm 119:11

Self-Test Diagnostic Questions:

4. Can I recall God’s truth when I am stressed or tempted?
5. Am I revisiting Scripture, or constantly chasing something new?
6. Is God’s Word becoming familiar enough to interrupt my reactions?

3. Study & Understanding

I grasp what God means and why it matters.

Key Activities:

• Studying context, audience, and purpose of Scripture
• Comparing Scripture with Scripture
• Asking interpretive and application questions
• Discussing Scripture with mature believers

Key to Success: Humility and teachability.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15
“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine.” — John 7:17

Self-Test Diagnostic Questions:

7. Am I willing to let Scripture challenge my assumptions?
8. Do I study to submit or to defend existing views?
9. Is my understanding increasing responsibility in my life?

4. Application & Wisdom

I act on God’s truth in real life.

Key Activities:

• Identifying specific obedience actions
• Repenting where truth exposes sin or misalignment
• Changing behaviors, priorities, or responses
• Acting before feelings fully align

Key to Success: Immediate, concrete obedience.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22
“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man.” — Matthew 7:24

Self-Test Diagnostic Questions:

10. What specific action has God’s Word called me to take recently?
11. Am I delaying obedience while claiming I need more clarity?
12. Is my life visibly changing as a result of Scripture?

5. Adoption & New Normal

This is how I live now.

Key Activities:

• Practicing obedience consistently
• Aligning routines and structures with truth
• Modeling truth to others
• Rejecting old identity patterns

Key to Success: Consistency reinforced by identity.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” — 1 John 2:6

Self-Test Diagnostic Questions:

13. Is obedience becoming more natural over time?
14. Do I still identify with my old patterns or excuses?
15. Are others benefiting from the fruit of my transformation?

How Can I Tell If I’m Doing This Correctly?

You are making God’s Word alive in your flesh if:

Your reactions are changing before your circumstances do

You notice conviction earlier and repentance faster

Obedience feels costly but peaceful

Others benefit from your transformation

You are less defensive and more teachable

Warning signs you are stuck:

You find excuses not to spend time in God’s word

Scripture increases knowledge but not humility

You justify delay instead of acting

You feel informed but unchanged

Where to Learn More (Specific, Practical Resources)

Bible Engagement

http://www.thebibleproject  – Effective insight into the messages and structure of the bible

Key Verses To Learn and Leverage By Topic   < Blog Post Reference>

Satan’s Top Lies and The Truth to Debunk Them

https://www.openbible.info/topics/  – Every Effective verse lookup tool

https://www.blueletterbible.org  – Original language tools and cross-references

https://www.biblegateway.com – Multiple translations for comparative study

Spiritual Formation

https://www.desiringgod.org  – Practical theology and obedience-focused teaching

https://www.thenarrowpath.com – Systematic biblical reasoning

Discipleship & Transformation

https://www.navigators.org – Scripture memory and life-on-life discipleship

https://www.foundationschurch.org/resources – Identity and transformation teaching

A Final Word of Encouragement

You were never meant to try harder.
You were meant to surrender deeper and become aligned with God’s will.

God’s Word becomes alive in your flesh not because you are strong, disciplined, or gifted—but because you are willing.

Every step of obedience creates space for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully within you.

Do not despise small beginnings.
Do not wait for perfect understanding.
Do not fear the cost of change.

If you keep saying yes—truth by truth, step by step—God will do what only He can do:
He will turn His Word into a living witness through your life.

 

Key Lessons To Learn Well To Avoid More Trials

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Key Lessons To Learn Well To Avoid More Trials

Introduction: Trials Are God’s Classroom, Not His Punishment

Trials and tribulations are unavoidable in a fallen world. Jesus promised that “in this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). The question is not whether trials will come, but what they will produce in us.

Trials are not accidents, interruptions, or signs that God has abandoned you.  God uses trials as one of His primary tools to shape us, refine us, and form Christ within us. Trials expose what we believe, what we love, what we trust, and where we are still clinging to self-centered control. When approached rightly, trials become a classroom of grace. When we resist or misunderstood the intended learning, trials often repeat —with greater and greater intensity.

God is gracious. He allows us to learn from:

    • His Word
    • The correction of the Holy Spirit
    • The trials of others

We can learn from the trials of others and from God’s Word, so we do not have to learn everything the hard way. The more quickly we recognize and apply the lessons God is teaching through trials—whether ours or someone else’s—the fewer corrective trials we may need to endure ourselves.

This post outlines some of the key lessons God teaches through trials, how to recognize them in yourself, and how to respond wisely.

What follows are key lessons God consistently teaches through trials, along with the Scriptures that anchor them. These are not theoretical truths; they are transformational realities meant to be lived.

Key Lessons To Lean As Soon As Possible

1. God Is in Control — You Are Not

Trials expose the illusion of control. Many of us feel secure as long as our plans are working, our resources are sufficient, and our competence is respected. God allows situations where control slips through our fingers so we can rediscover where true security lies—not in ourselves, but in Him.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21

“I am God, and there is no other… My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.” — Isaiah 46:9–10

“Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” — Psalm 115:3

Self-Test

Do I feel anxious or angry when plans fall apart?

Do I equate control with safety?

What to Do

Verbally acknowledge God’s sovereignty in prayer.

Surrender outcomes, not just intentions.

Replace control-based planning with trust-based obedience.

2. You Are Fully Dependent on God – You Can Do Nothing Yourself

Dependence is not a flaw—it is how humans were designed. Trials reveal how much we rely on strength, money, intelligence, or influence instead of God. When those supports fail, God invites us back to childlike dependence.

“Apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

“In His hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” — Job 12:10

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19

Self-Test

Do I pray first—or only after exhausting my own options?

Do I see dependence as weakness?

What to Do

Begin each day acknowledging your dependence on God.

Ask God for provision before taking action.

Thank Him explicitly for daily sustenance and strength.

3. Pressure Reveals What You Really Love — Love God First

Trials act like a heart-revealing mirror. Strong emotional reactions often indicate that something we love feels threatened—comfort, money, reputation, success, possessions, or control. God uses pressure to reorder our loves so that He is first.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30

Self-Test

What loss or threat triggers the strongest emotional response in me?

If God removed a certain comfort, would my peace collapse?

What to Do

Identify what you fear losing most.

Confess misplaced loves honestly to God.

Reaffirm your commitment to love God above all else.

4. Choose Humble Learning Over Bitter Victimhood

Trials present a fork in the road: humility or bitterness. Victimhood says, “This shouldn’t be happening to me.” Humility says, “Lord, what are You teaching me?” One posture multiplies suffering; the other transforms it.

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials… knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–4

“Afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” — Hebrews 12:11

Self-Test

Do I blame others or circumstances for my pain?

Am I resistant to correction?

What to Do

Ask God what He wants to change in you.

Release blame and entitlement.

Practice gratitude during difficulty.

5. God Is Forming You, Not Just Fixing Circumstances

God’s primary concern is not your comfort but your character. Trials expose our demand for quick fixes and reveal God’s deeper work—shaping endurance, humility, faith, and love.

“Tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3–5

“Though now for a little while… your faith… tested by fire…” — 1 Peter 1:6–7

Self-Test

Do I measure God’s goodness by how fast He removes discomfort?

Am I willing to grow even if circumstances remain hard?

What to Do

Shift prayers from “remove this” to “transform me.”

Track character growth, not just outcomes.

Trust God’s timeline.

6. This Life Is Temporary — Fear God, Not Man

Trials reveal misplaced priorities. Fear of losing money, status, approval, or comfort often drives compromise. God reminds us that earthly life is temporary and eternal faithfulness matters most.

“Do not fear those who kill the body… rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” — Matthew 10:28

“The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18

Self-Test

Do I overwork or compromise to preserve security?

Am I more afraid of people’s opinions than God’s truth?

What to Do

Evaluate priorities honestly.

Choose obedience over comfort.

Invest more in eternal relationships than material gain.

7. Forgiveness Is Required, Not Optional

Trials often expose buried bitterness. Unforgiveness keeps wounds open and gives the enemy access. God commands forgiveness not to minimize injustice, but to free your heart.

“If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” — Matthew 6:15

“Let all bitterness… be put away from you.” — Ephesians 4:31–32

Self-Test

Do I replay offenses mentally?

Do I justify withholding forgiveness?

What to Do

Forgive as an act of obedience, not emotion.

Pray blessing over those who hurt you.

Release the desire for personal vengeance.

8. Weakness Is the Gateway to God’s Power

Trials strip away self-confidence so God’s strength can be revealed. Weakness is not failure—it is an invitation for grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

“He gives power to the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29

Self-Test

Do I feel ashamed of needing help?

Do I equate weakness with failure?

What to Do

Admit limitations openly before God.

Stop pretending to be strong.

Depend on grace daily.

9. Love Is Proven When It Costs You

Love becomes visible under pressure. Trials reveal whether our love is conditional or sacrificial. God calls us to love as Jesus loved—at personal cost.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” — John 15:13

“Let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18

Self-Test

Do I withdraw when love becomes inconvenient?

Do I protect myself instead of serving others?

What to Do

Choose sacrificial obedience.

Serve even when unrecognized.

Ask God to love others through you.

10. God Uses Trials to Prepare You to Serve Others

God redeems suffering by transforming it into ministry. What He heals in you becomes hope for others.

“That we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.” — 2 Corinthians 1:4

“All things work together for good to those who love God.” — Romans 8:28

Self-Test

Do I isolate when I suffer?

Do I believe my pain is meaningless?

What to Do

Allow God to heal you fully.

Share testimony at the right time.

Serve from compassion, not wounds.

How to Best Take Advantage of Trials

If trials are God’s classroom, here is how to learn well:

Ask “What?” and “How?” before “Why?”
“What are You teaching me, Lord?” “How do You want me to respond?”

Watch your emotions closely.
They often reveal ungodly loves or beliefs under pressure.

Invite God to expose lies and replace them with truth.
Renewing the mind shortens the trial.

Repent quickly and sincerely.
Correction embraced early prevents escalation.

Choose obedience even when it costs you.
Delayed obedience often prolongs trials.

Stay thankful and prayerful.
Gratitude keeps the heart soft and receptive.

Where to Learn More

On MyGodInMotion.org

Trials and Tribulations: What, Why, Who, How

Ungodly Beliefs Enable Undesired Behaviors

Ungodly Loves Provide Buttons to Be Pushed

Be Transformed by Grace

Key Lessons to Learn as Soon as Possible in Life

Trusted Teachers & Resources

Dan Mohler (Neck Ministries):
https://www.youtube.com/@DanMohlerOfficial

Charles Stanley – Trusting God:
https://www.intouch.org

Jerry Bridges – Trusting God:
https://www.navigators.org

Bible study and verse lookup:
https://www.biblegateway.com

Conclusion

God does not waste pain. Every trial is an invitation—to deeper trust, purer love, clearer vision, and greater freedom. When we learn these lessons well, we grow faster, suffer less, and become living reflections of Jesus in a world desperate for hope.

“Blessed is the man who endures trial; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life.” — James 1:12

If you are in a trial right now, ask this simple question today:
“Lord, which lesson are You teaching me—and how can I apply it now?”

That question alone can shorten the journey.

Lessons – I’m not in control, God Is

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Lessons From Trials – I am Not In Control, God Is

Introduction

Life is a journey, a learning experience. We all undergo difficult situations, trials and tribulations. We can learn many lessons from trials if we step back from the situation for a moment, humble ourselves and seek input and guidance from above.

There are common lessons folks learn as they work through trials and we can benefit from understanding those lessons. We can also learn lessons about the process of learning so we can get to the benefits of learning as soon as possible, and maybe avoid another cycle of trials because you did not learn the intended lesson.
The following testimony is from a wonderful friend who recently had a powerful learning experience. As you read this, look for any lessons you can learn and apply to your life. I encourage you to look at two levels… the specific learnings about living a life in true partnership with God, and also look for any lessons or helpful hints about the process of learning lessons from trials.

Testimony: 

Who: Emerson, 44, Mortgage Analyst, Western NY,  Fall/Winter 2025

There was a season in my life when things felt steady — work, health, routines — and I didn’t realize how much confidence I had placed in those things until they were suddenly disrupted.

Through an unexpected  debilitating health issue, hospital visits, medical testing, and time away from work, my life was brought to a sudden pause. It felt abrupt and unsettling, but Scripture reminds us that God sometimes uses interruption to bring clarity.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

I went from feeling capable and dependable to feeling uncertain and vulnerable. I had questions without immediate answers and concerns I could not resolve on my own. 

I had learned that the Lord would help me if i asked Him, So I did.  I quieted myself and spoke to Jesus with all my heart.  I asked Him what was going on? Why was this happening? What am I supposed to learn? I got a very clear message from Him: “Stick with Me and I will show you”.  I thanked Him in advance for being with me, for helping me get through these issues, and for teaching me what ever I needed to learn. This interaction became a frequent occurrence; Multiple times a day, all hours of the day.  I would ask a question and listen for His response. The Holy Spirit would led me to specific scriptures or bible stories to read and meditate on.  I used bible study references to understand the context and intended message and how it relates to me.  I got new revelations every day,  about the motives in my heart,  about how I interact with people, how I function at work.  I took each input seriously, recognized the flaws in my old ways and repented.  Over the course of several weeks we became good buddies. One day when I was finally able to get out bed again, I invited the Lord to walk around my house with me and He joined me; It has been a wonderful experience and I will never be the same.

One thing the Lord revealed to me was something deeper than fear — a misplaced sense of control.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

What I came to understand is that God was not absent in the disruption — He was present in it. Scripture shows us that the Lord, in His love, will sometimes slow or stop us when our direction needs correction.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67)

This season forced me to confront a truth I had known intellectually but not fully lived:

I am not in control — God is.

And more importantly, He is good and trustworthy.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Waiting became a discipline rather than a punishment. Instead of striving to regain control, I was invited to daily dependence.

“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:26)

I also learned that God does not always explain the “why” immediately, but He promises His presence.

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”(Exodus 33:14)

This season didn’t instantly resolve my circumstances, but it reshaped my heart. I began to see that interruption can be instruction, and surrender can be a form of obedience.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:6)

I am still learning. I don’t have every answer, and some paths remain unclear. But I now understand that God is faithful in the pause, purposeful in the waiting, and near to those who rely on Him.

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

If you are walking through a season where life feels suddenly halted — where plans have stalled and control has been stripped away — Scripture offers this assurance:

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

God can be trusted with what we cannot carry. Sometimes He brings us to stillness not to harm us, but to draw us closer to Himself.

How To Leverage This:

What Lesson(s) Did He Learn?

What Lie/Ungodly Belief was He Living From Before?

What Truth/Godly Belief replaced it and set Him free?

Do You Need To Learn The Same Lesson? 

What Can You Learn From His Learning Experience?

What Did He Do That Helped Him Learn This Lesson As Quickly As He Did?

Where to Learn More About Learning Lessons From Trials/Tribulations:

Trials Squeeze The Real You Out – See It And Fix It  <Blog Post>

Dan Mohler – How To Respond To Trials

Closing Thoughts:

Trials are inevitable.  Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it.

The closer you draw to God, the more He can help you work through what ever you face. 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8 

Life is a journey and you are being formed and prepared for doing good works for the Lord.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

He is the master potter and you are clay. The more you humble yourself and seek His guidance, the more quickly you can be molded into the desired shape.

“But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter; we are all the work of Your hand” – Isaiah 64:8,

If you love Him and trust Him, All things will work out

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Experience The Kingdom Here and Now

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Experience the Kingdom Here and Now — Don’t Wait for Heaven

Introduction

Many people think of the Kingdom of God as something you enter after death.
Scripture teaches something far more urgent—and far more powerful:

The Kingdom of God is meant to be experienced now.
Not someday. Not only in heaven.
Here. In you. Through you.

Jesus did not preach, “Wait for heaven.”
He preached, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mark 1:15)

If the Kingdom is available now, the real question becomes:
Are you living in it—or merely believing it exists?

What Is the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is God’s rule, authority, and order actively governing life.

It is not a location.
It is not a denomination.
It is not merely moral behavior.

The Kingdom is present where God is recognized as God and obeyed as King.

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
— Romans 14:17

Where God reigns:

    • Truth governs thinking
    • Love governs action
    • The Spirit governs desires

This is why Jesus could say:

“The kingdom of God does not come with observation… For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
— Luke 17:20–21

Where Is the Kingdom?

The Kingdom of God is not a place, it forms In You.

The Kingdom does not start with changing the world.
It starts with changing who rules the heart.

Scripture describes this as Christ being formed in us:

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”
— Galatians 4:19

This formation happens when:

    • Self-rule is surrendered
    • Jesus is acknowledged as Lord (not just Savior)
    • The Spirit renews the mind and reshapes desires

The Kingdom advances internally first, then externally.

Why the Kingdom Matters Now

The Kingdom you live from drives your entire life:

    • How you think
    • How you respond to pressure
    • How you treat people
    • How you interpret pain
    • What fruit you produce in the world

Everyone lives from a kingdom. There are only two options:

The fallen world system (Self at the center)

The Kingdom of God (God at the center)

Each produces very different fruit.

The Practical Difference: Life in the Fallen World vs Life in the Kingdom of God

Every person lives from a governing system, whether they realize it or not.

Scripture presents only two: the fallen world system, where life is ordered around self, and the Kingdom of God, where life is ordered around God as King and Christ formed within us. These two systems produce fundamentally different ways of thinking, deciding, relating, and responding to life.

The table below is not about religious labels or outward behavior—it reveals who is actually ruling the heart and therefore shaping the fruit of a person’s life. As you read, do not ask which column you agree with more; ask which one most accurately describes how you are living today.

 

Aspect

 Fallen World
(Self-Centered)		 Kingdom of God
(Christ-Centered)		 Scripture
Decision Center Self God Prov 16:25; Matt 6:33
Identity Source Performance / Approval Sonship in Christ Gal 2:20; Rom 8:15
Primary Love Love of self Love of God 2 Tim 3:2; Matt 22:37
Operating Nature Flesh (What We See/Feel) Spirit (Where God Leads) Gal 5:16–17
Internal Driver Fear / Pride Faith / Humility Prov 29:25; Heb 11:6
Authority Self-rule Lordship of Christ Judg 21:25; Rom 10:9
Mindset Worldly thinking Renewed mind Rom 12:2
Source of Wisdom Human reasoning God’s Word / Revelation 1 Cor 2:14; Ps 119:105
Motivation Gain, control Love, obedience Phil 2:21; John 14:15
View of Truth Relative Absolute John 8:44; John 14:6
View of Sin Ignorance / Justified Exposed / repented Isa 5:20; 1 John 1:7
Power Source Self-effort Grace / Spirit power Gal 3:3; Acts 1:8
Fruit Produced Works of flesh Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:19–23
Relationships Transactional Sacrificial Luke 6:32–36; Eph 5:2
Response to Trials Anxiety / bitterness Trust / Refinement / Growth Matt 6:34; James 1:2–4
Direction of Life Temporary / Earthly Life Eternal 2 Cor 4:18; John 17:3
Outcome Death Life and Peace Rom 8:6
Final End Separation Union with God Matt 7:23; Rev 21:3

This table reveals a critical truth:

You do not drift into the Kingdom.
You live there intentionally—or not at all.

The world system forms people into:

    • Fear-based decision makers
    • Self-protectors
    • Image managers
    • Control seekers

The Kingdom forms people into:

    • Truth-governed thinkers
    • Trust-filled responders
    • Servants
    • Stewards

This difference shows up daily, not just spiritually.

How Life Is Actually Run Differently in the Kingdom

Belief alone does not change life. Operating systems do.

Below is a diagnostic version of the practical table, modified specifically to help readers identify how they are currently living.

Kingdom Diagnostic: How Am I Actually Living?

Daily Area World Pattern Kingdom Pattern Scripture
Decision Filter Comfort, fear, gain Truth, obedience Prov 14:12; John 14:21
Thinking Problem-centered Truth-centered Phil 4:6–8
Emotional Response Anxiety, offense Peace, humility Rom 8:6; James 4:6
Handling Conflict Defend self Seek peace & truth Matt 5:9; Prov 18:19
Response to Pressure Control Trust God Matt 6:33
Authority Resist Submit as unto God Rom 13:1
Correction Justify Repent & grow Prov 12:1
Work Source of Identity Stewardship Col 3:23–24
Relationships Transactional Sacrificial Luke 6:32–36
Outcome Striving & exhaustion Life & peace Rom 8:6

This table is not for condemnation.
It is for clarity.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.”— 2 Corinthians 13:5

How Do I Live in the Kingdom Now?

Living in the Kingdom involves two simultaneous actions:

1. Submitting to God

Submission is not weakness—it is alignment with reality.

Submission looks like:

      • Trusting God’s definition of good and evil
      • Yielding your right to be right
      • Obeying even when it costs comfort

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.”
— James 4:7

You cannot experience Kingdom power while insisting on self-rule.

2. Resisting the Devil, The World, The Flesh

Submission alone is incomplete without resistance.

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7

Resistance means:

      • Taking thoughts captive
      • Rejecting self-centered loves
      • Saying no to lies even when they feel true
      • Refusing to let emotions lead

The Kingdom advances where truth is obeyed and we resist distraction.

Best Practices for Living in the Kingdom Here and Now

The Kingdom of God is sustained by truth received, believed, practiced, and spoken.

Jesus made this explicit:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:31–32

Kingdom living requires intentional immersion in God’s Word, coupled with daily practices that shape thinking, attitude, and response.

1. Immerse Yourself in the Word of God

The Word is not supplemental to Kingdom life—it is foundational.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
— Matthew 4:4

Without consistent exposure to God’s Word:

      • Thinking reverts to the world
      • Emotions regain control
      • Self-rule quietly reasserts itself

Practical practices:

Daily Scripture intake (even brief, but consistent)

Verse of the day with intentional reflection

Reading Scripture as instruction, not inspiration

Ask while reading:

What does this reveal about God’s rule?

What response or obedience does this require of me?

2. Meditate on Truth, Not Problems

Biblical meditation is not emptying the mind—it is filling it with truth.

The world trains the mind to rehearse fear, offense, and worry.
The Kingdom retrains the mind to dwell on what God has said.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.”
— Joshua 1:8

Practical practices:

Choose a single theme for a week (trust, obedience, identity, humility)

Collect 3–5 verses on that theme

Revisit them throughout the day

Replace anxious or accusatory thoughts with those truths

Meditation is how truth moves from information to formation.

3. Build Kingdom Vocabulary (Truth Shapes Thought)

Your internal language shapes your reality.

The world’s vocabulary:

“I deserve”

“That’s just who I am”

“I can’t help it”

The Kingdom’s vocabulary:

“God is faithful”

“I submit to truth”

“I am being transformed”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” — Proverbs 18:21

Practical practices:

Learn Scripture-based language for identity, authority, and purpose

Replace vague spirituality with specific biblical truth

Speak what God says, not what circumstances suggest

4. Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is not emotional—it is governmental.

It shifts focus from lack to provision, from fear to trust, from self to God.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Practical practices:

Keep a gratitude journal

Write down daily evidences of God’s provision, protection, or guidance

Thank God before outcomes change

Gratitude strengthens faith because it trains the heart to recognize God’s hand.

5. Maintain a Prayer Journal to Track God’s Faithfulness

Prayer becomes powerful when it is remembered and reviewed.

Israel repeatedly forgot God’s works—and drifted.
Remembering builds confidence and trust.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
— Psalm 103:2

Practical practices:

Record prayers and requests

Note dates and outcomes

Write reflections on how God answered—or redirected

Over time, this builds a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness, reinforcing Kingdom trust.

6. Practice Declarations of Faith

Declarations are not about forcing outcomes; they are about aligning your heart, will, and mouth with God’s truth.

Jesus modeled this by speaking truth under pressure.

“It is written…”— Matthew 4

Core Kingdom declarations (examples):

Submission

“Father, You are God. I submit my will, thoughts, and desires to You.”

Resistance

“I resist the devil and every lie opposed to God’s truth.”

Denying Self

“I deny my flesh and choose obedience over comfort.”

Crucifying the Flesh

“I am dead to sin and alive to God in Christ.”

Putting Off / Putting On

“I put off the old self and put on the new, created in righteousness.”

New Identity

“I am a child of God, led by His Spirit.”

New Purpose

“I was created for God’s purposes and good works.”

Being Led

“The Lord directs my steps and orders my path.”

Speaking to Your Mountain

“I speak to this obstacle in faith, trusting God’s authority and timing.”

“Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”
— Joel 3:10

Declarations reinforce who is ruling—your emotions or God’s truth.

7. Live from Identity, Not Effort

The Kingdom is not sustained by striving but by abiding.

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”
— Colossians 2:6

All practices above serve one goal:
Christ formed in you—not self-improvement, but transformation.

Summary: How Kingdom Life Is Built

Kingdom living is cultivated through:

    • Immersion in the Word
    • Meditation on truth
    • Gratitude and remembrance
    • Prayerful awareness of God’s activity
    • Spoken alignment with truth
    • Daily submission and resistance

None of these earn the Kingdom.
They position you to live in it.

Final Encouragement

Heaven is real.
Eternity matters.

Jesus did not tell us to wait to live in the kingdom.

The Kingdom is available now.
It forms within.
It transforms how you live.
And it impacts everyone around you.

The question is not:
Does the Kingdom exist?

The real question is:
Is it governing your life today?

Heart Wounds Shape Your Life

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Heart Wounds Shape Your Life: Heal the Wound, Change Your Life

Introduction

Every person carries a story. Within that story are moments of joy, growth, and meaning—but also moments of pain. Some of that pain heals naturally. Some does not.

Unhealed emotional pain—what Scripture would describe as a wounded heart—does not remain passive. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, how we respond under pressure, and how we interpret God’s intentions toward us. Over time, these wounds create predictable cycles of dysfunction that ripple outward into our decisions, relationships, and long-term fruit.

God does not ignore these wounds. He names them. He exposes their effects. And He offers real healing—not by denial or self-management, but through humility, truth, and surrender.

What Are Heart Wounds and Dysfunction Cycles?

What Is a Heart Wound?

A heart wound forms when a painful experience is interpreted and internalized rather than healed. The wound is not merely the event itself, but the meaning we assign to it—often shaped by fear, rejection, shame, or self-protection.

Examples include:

Being abandoned and concluding, “I am on my own.”

Being rejected and concluding, “I am unlovable.”

Being betrayed and concluding, “I must stay in control.”

Being harmed and concluding, “I am unsafe.”

Scripture consistently locates these issues in the heart, not merely in behavior.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

What Is a Dysfunction Cycle?

A dysfunction cycle is the repeating pattern that flows from an unhealed wound. While details vary, the logic is remarkably consistent:

Wound – Emotional pain or loss

Lie – A false conclusion about self, others, or God

Emotion – Fear, anger, shame, anxiety, bitterness

Coping Behavior – Control, withdrawal, performance, people-pleasing, aggression, escape

Consequences – Relational damage, exhaustion, sin, isolation

Reinforcement – Outcomes seem to confirm the original lie

Left unaddressed, the cycle repeats—and intensifies.

“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.”
(Proverbs 4:23, NKJV)

Why Wounds and Cycles Matter

Heart wounds matter because they shape outcomes.

Jesus taught that life’s visible fruit—words, actions, and impact—flows from what is stored in the heart.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good;
and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.”
(Luke 6:45, NKJV)

Unhealed wounds:

Distort identity (how you see your worth and value)

Drive self-protective behavior

Fuel self-centered love rather than love rooted in truth

Damage relationships and perpetuate conflict

Continue operating even when a person becomes religious or outwardly moral

This is why behavior change alone rarely works. If the wound remains, the cycle will re-emerge—often in a new form.

How Heart Wounds Create Ripple Effects

Heart wounds do not stay contained. They ripple outward in predictable directions.

Internal Ripple

Chronic anxiety or emotional numbness

Overreactions to perceived threats

Persistent shame or self-criticism

Difficulty resting, trusting, or feeling safe

Relational Ripple

Repeating conflict patterns

Withdrawal, control, or people-pleasing

Passing pain to spouses, children, coworkers

Misinterpreting motives and intentions

Spiritual Ripple

Viewing God as distant, unsafe, or demanding

Struggling to trust authority or surrender control

Using religion as performance rather than relationship

Resisting conviction due to fear of exposure

Scripture explains this progression clearly:

“Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”  (James 1:14–15)

Common Wound-Driven Cycles

Below are examples, not an exhaustive list:

Abandonment → Fear → Control or Clinging → Relational Strain

Rejection → Shame → Performance or Withdrawal → Exhaustion / Isolation

Betrayal → Distrust → Control → Conflict

Abuse → Fear → Hyper-vigilance or Anger → Broken Relationships

Neglect → Insecurity → People-pleasing → Loss of Identity

Shame → Self-hatred → Hiding or Addiction → Deeper Shame

Different wounds, same logic. Different behaviors, same type of root problem – a wound

          Here is a more complete reference of common wound cycles if interested  < Wound Cycle Reference>

How to Recognize If You Are in a Wound-Driven Cycle (Self-Test)

Scripture invites self examination, and tells us the Lord will help us if we approach Him humbly:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.”  (Psalm 139:23–24)

Ask these questions honestly, without self-justification:

Do I experience strong emotional reactions that feel disproportionate / extreme?

Do the same conflicts or failure modes keep repeating in my life?

Do I often feel the need to control situations?

Do I often feel the need to withdraw from society and escape?

Do I feel driven to always perform at a high level?

Do I often feel the need to defend myself and my position?

Do certain situations trigger fear, anger, or shame automatically?

Do I struggle to trust God’s care, timing, or protection?

Do I try to explain or excuse or my reactions rather than examine their source?

Most people are operating from wounds and suffering as a result.

The sooner you recognize what is happening, the sooner you can seek healing, break the cycle, and start living the life you were intended to have. 

How to Heal the Wound and Break the Cycle

Healing does not begin with techniques. It begins with humility.

1. Ask God To Help You Identify The Initial Wound Before God

Healing starts when self-defense stops.

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Ask God for insight…. Lord what happened that opened the door to this issue?

Name the wound honestly.

2. Identify and Expose the Enabling Lie

The wound drives you to become defensive,  your hear and mind start to embrace a lie that ends up controlling your life.

Ask:   Lord, What ungodly belief did I come to embrace because of this pain?

      What is the truth to correct it?

Truth is not optional—it is the instrument of freedom.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

3. Confess Self-Protective Sin Where Present

Many coping behaviors feel justified—but still miss the mark.

Confess and repent of holding an ungodly belief

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1 John 1:9, NKJV)

4. Forgive Those Involved With Inflicting the Initial Wound

We are all children of God operating in a fallen world and reacting to the wounds we accumulate.

We need to get to a position where we forgive those who cause us pain in life,  pray for them to be saved and rescued from their struggles.

Forgiveness releases judgment to God and breaks bondage impacting us.

“Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

5. Receive God’s Healing and New Identity

God does not merely remove pain—He restores truth.

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.”  (Psalm 147:3)

When the wound is healed, the cycle loses its power.

Where to Learn More

Healing heart wounds is not a one-time event; it is a process of truth, humility, and cooperation with God.

Below are specific, grounded ways to go deeper—each aligned with Scripture and designed to avoid emotionalism or self-focus.

1. Study Scripture on the Heart, Renewal, and Transformation

Begin with Scripture that directly addresses the heart as the source of life and behavior, not just external actions.

Key passages to study in prayerful meditation:

Proverbs 4:20–27 – The heart as the wellspring of life

Jeremiah 17:5–10 – The deceitfulness and examination of the heart

Psalm 51 – Repentance that goes beneath behavior to the heart

Ezekiel 36:25–27 – God’s promise to heal, cleanse, and renew the heart

Romans 12:1–2 – Transformation through renewal of the mind

Galatians 5:16–26 – Flesh-driven cycles versus Spirit-produced fruit

James 1:13–25 – Desire, deception, and the path to maturity

Study these passages asking:

What does this reveal about my heart?

What does God say is possible?

Where do my patterns contradict His truth?

2. Practice Prayerful Journaling Anchored in God’s Word

Journaling is not about venting emotions—it is about bringing hidden thoughts and reactions into the light of truth.

A simple biblical journaling flow:

Describe a recurring emotional reaction or pattern

Ask God where it began

Identify the lie you have believed

Search Scripture for the truth that confronts it

Write a prayer of surrender and alignment

Helpful prompts:

What am I protecting myself from?

What am I afraid will happen if I let go?

What does God say is true instead?

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Interactive Journaling as a Diagnostic – < Link to step by step teaching> 

3. Learn Biblical Repentance and Identity Renewal

Many people equate repentance with behavior correction. Biblically, repentance means changing how you think, especially about God, yourself, and control.

Key concepts to study:

Repentance as turning from self-rule to God’s rule

Dying to self-protection, not just sinful acts

Putting off the old self and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:22–24)

Identity rooted in Christ rather than wounds or performance

Helpful Scriptures:

Romans 6 – Dead to sin, alive to God

Colossians 3:1–17 – Putting off and putting on

2 Corinthians 5:17 – New creation identity

Ask:  Where am I still living from my wound instead of from truth?

4. Seek Wise, Biblically Grounded Counsel

Healing often accelerates when wounds are processed in the presence of truth and accountability.

Look for counselors, pastors, or mentors who:

Anchor everything in Scripture

Address heart motives, not just symptoms

Understand repentance, forgiveness, and identity

Avoid affirming victimhood or self-centered narratives

Avoid approaches that:

Remove personal responsibility

Blame others exclusively

Focus endlessly on feelings without truth or change

“In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

5. Explore Inner Healing Prayer Rooted Firmly in Scripture

Biblical inner healing is not mystical memory chasing—it is inviting God’s truth into wounded places so lies lose their power.

Healthy inner healing prayer includes:

Humble surrender to God

Asking Jesus to reveal truth

Renouncing lies and self-protective vows

Forgiving others and releasing judgment

Receiving God’s truth and identity

Always test practices against Scripture:

“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

When done biblically, inner healing prayer complements repentance and renewal—it does not replace them.

Best practice:  7 Prayers that Heal The Heart – from  Mark Virkler

Closing

Heart wounds shape your life—whether you acknowledge them or not. But they do not have to define your future.

God’s desire is not merely behavior improvement, but freedom, restoration, and fruit that lasts. When the wound is healed, the cycle breaks. When the cycle breaks, the ripple changes. And when the ripple changes, lives—including your own—are transformed.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

God is not intimidated by your wounds, and He is not impatient with the healing process. What He requires is honesty, humility, and willingness to let truth replace self-protection.

Are You A Lukewarm Christian, Or Are You A Disciple…It Really Does Matter!

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Are You a Lukewarm Christian or Are You a Disciple?
– It Really Does Matter!

Introduction

Many Christians assume that believing in Jesus is enough.
But scripture is very clear and direct to the contrary:

    • Belief alone does not get you into the kingdom of heaven.
    • Belief without surrender does not transform.
    • Belief without obedience does not produce life.

Jesus Himself warns us:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21

A person who believes in Jesus, but has not declared Him Lord over their entire life is called a lukewarm Christian.

The difference between a Lukewarm Christian and a submitted disciple is not minor; It is dramatic in this life, and it has eternal consequences.

This blog is intended to help folks realize they may not be where they really think they are relative to Jesus and heaven..

God has given you a choice —  and your life, your destiny, the lives of your descendants, and all of your eternities depend on it.

Why It Is Not Enough to Just Believe

Many claim to believe, Few understand what it means to truly believe.
Belief means to act as if it were actually true…. 

    • Our fall from grace by the introduction of sin in the garden,
    • Our sinful nature, making us naturally self centered and rebellious against God.
    • The severe nature of our fallen nature and the impact i has on our life and the lifeof others
    • Our earning a sentence of eternity in hell for falling short of God’s perfect standard.
    • God choosing to come here in the flesh as a son Jesus to suffer and die in our place.
    • Our option to serve our sentence in hell ourselves or yield our earthly live to Jesus and spend eternity with Him. 
    • It is an easy trade but you have to actually make the trade to get the benefit 

True belief produces obedience, surrender, repentance, and transformation.
Anything else is mental argument, not a saving faith.

Let’s walk through the biblical declarations to be clear.

A. Old Testament Foundation: Deuteronomy 30

God makes His expectations very clear and explicit:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life…” – Deut. 30:19 

But how does one choose life?
The next verse tells us:

“That you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice,
and that you may cling to Him…” –  Deut. 30:20

Three requirements:

      • Love Him
      • Obey Him
      • Cling to Him

Why?  the end of that verse:  “…For He is your life and the length of your days.” –  Deut. 30:20 

This is the pattern of God’s covenant relationship:

Hearing → Obeying → Clinging → Life

In trade for our submission in faith, God makes a promise to help us and provide for us and protect us and work all things for good, but it only works if we do our part.

Belief without hearing, obedience, or clinging is not executing your part of the deal – and you can expect consequences.

B. New Testament Agreement: Faith That Saves Always Transforms

True belief recognizes:

      • The seriousness of sin
      • The certainty of condemnation without a savior
      • The price Jesus paid on the cross
      • The necessity of surrender to receive the benefit

Paul says:

“The love of Christ compels us…
that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them.”  — 2 Cor. 5:14–15

If your belief does not compel you to stop living for yourself,
you have not achieved a saving faith.

James warns:

“Even the demons believe—and tremble!” — James 2:19

Demons believe in Jesus. They know who He is.
They acknowledge His authority. But they do not submit or obey.

A lukewarm Christian is dangerously close to the same condition.

C. You Only Enter Heaven If Jesus Knows You

Jesus does not say:

“You will enter heaven because you believed I existed.”

He says:

“Depart from Me; I never knew you.” — Matthew 7:23 

Knowing Jesus is not intellectual familiarity, It is not inviting him into my heart.
It is relationship based on complete surrender and a commitment to obedience.

Jesus says:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  – John 10:27

Three marks of a disciple:

      • Hear His voice
      • Are known by Him
      • Follow Him

A lukewarm believer may acknowledge Jesus –  but does not follow Him.

D. Jesus Calls Us to Die To Sin Before We Truly Live

Identity in Christ begins with death of the old you:

“If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself,
take up his cross,
and follow Me.”  –  Matthew 16:24 

And continues through transformation:

“Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” –  Matthew 16:25 

You cannot be “in Christ” while clinging to the old life.

You are covered by His blood only when you are united with His death.

This is biblical salvation—not American Christianity.

There Are Three Identity Paths: Which One Are You Living From?

There are three spiritual identity states:

A. Unbeliever (Rejecting)

    • Dead in sin
    • Blind to spiritual truth
    • Self-led
    • Without covenant protection

B. Lukewarm Christian (Convenient, Unsurrendered)

    • Believes but does not obey
    • Acknowledges Jesus but lives self-led
    • Selective obedience
    • Little transformation
    • Spiritually stagnant
    • Dangerously self-deceived

C. Disciple of Jesus (Submitted, Following)

    • Has denied self
    • Carries their cross
    • Walks in obedience
    • Lives by faith, not feelings
    • Experiences transformation
    • Knows Jesus and is known by Him

Only one of these is promised eternal life.
Not because of effort— but because knowing Jesus is eternal life (John 17:3).

Am I Lukewarm or a Disciple?

This is where honesty matters.
Let Scripture and the Spirit reveal your heart.

Indicator

 Lukewarm Christian

Disciple of Jesus
Relationship

Believes in Jesus

 Belongs to Jesus

Lordship

 Jesus is advisor Jesus is Master
Obedience When convenient

Even when costly
Priorities Self first God’s will first
Transformation Minimal, sporadic Increasing, visible
Fear of God Low High (reverence, honor)
Sin Excused or ignored Repented and resisted

Cost

 Avoids sacrifice

Embraces sacrifice

Guiding Questions

    • Do I obey Jesus only when it fits my preferences?
    • Do I fear God and understand what is at stake?
    • Am I pursuing comfort or obedience?
    • Has following Jesus cost me anything?
    • Do I cling to my old life instead of losing it for Christ?
    • Do I see real transformation in my thoughts, emotions, and choices?
    • If Jesus returned today, would He know me?

These questions cut through self-deception.

What’s at Stake? (The Eternal Reality)

The stakes are eternal and unavoidable.

Jesus warns the lukewarm:

“Because you are lukewarm…
I will vomit you out of My mouth.” –  Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

This is not rejection. This is invitation.

“Be zealous and repent.” –  Revelation 3:19 

You must choose:

    • Comfort or calling.
    • Convenience or obedience.
    • Self-rule or surrender.
    • Belief about Jesus or discipleship under Jesus.

Anything less than surrender is being lukewarm.

How to Move From Lukewarm to Disciple

Here is the biblical path:

A. Repent of Self-Lordship

Confess where comfort, fear, pride, or convenience are ruling your decisions.

B. Surrender Your Life to Jesus

Salvation is not addition or loss.
It is exchange:  Your earthly life for Life Through Him .. now and for eternity.

C. Deny Yourself Daily

True discipleship requires daily choices, not a momentary prayer.

D. Take Up Your Cross

Embrace obedience even when inconvenient, costly, or difficult.

E. Follow Jesus

Read His words.
Hear His voice.
Obey His commands.
Walk in His steps.

F. Cling to Him (Deut. 30:20)

Trust in Him,
Have Faith,
Your life depends on it.

Identity Declaration for Discipleship

Lord Jesus, I renounce lukewarm belief.
I surrender my life fully to You.
I deny myself, take up my cross, and choose to follow You.
I cling to You as my life and my salvation.
Transform me into Your disciple.
Let my identity be rooted in Your truth,
my heart shaped by Your love,
and my steps led by Your Spirit.
I am Yours.
I will follow wherever You lead. Amen.

Final Thoughts

Lukewarm Christianity is the greatest spiritual deception of our time.
It produces the illusion of salvation without transformation.
The appearance of faith without obedience.
The vocabulary of Christianity without the life of Christ.

But God is inviting you into something far greater:

    • A transformed life.
    • A real relationship.
    • A surrendered heart.
    • A disciple’s identity.
    • An eternal purpose.

Jesus does not call you to be lukewarm.
He calls you to follow Him.
And when you do—your life, your relationships, your destiny, and your eternity will never be the same.

See Yourself As God Sees You

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

See Yourself As God Sees You, and Transform Your Life

Introduction

Seeing yourself through God’s eyes is essential for transforming your life and your relationships.

Most people live their entire lives without ever seeing themselves clearly.
They see themselves through:

    • Wounds.
    • Labels.
    • Failures.
    • Achievements.
    • Emotions.
    • Family expectations.
    • Cultural messages.
    • Religious assumptions.

But none of these are the truth.

Your real identity is found only in how God sees you.
Everything in your life changes when you begin to align your thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behaviors with His perspective.

Identity is not a religious concept. Identity is the engine of transformation.

    • Your thoughts flow from identity.
    • Your emotions react from identity.
    • Your behaviors reveal identity.
    • Your relationships mirror identity.
    • Your purpose unfolds from identity.

And when you begin to see yourself as God sees you, everything in your life will begin to change.

    • Your thoughts change.
    • Your emotions change.
    • Your choices change.
    • Your relationships change.
    • Your purpose becomes clear.

This is the journey of transformation — and it begins with a new identity.

What Is Identity?

Identity is the inner story you believe about who you are, why you matter, and what role you play in this world.

It includes:

    • How you see yourself (worth, value, competence)
    • How you believe God sees you
    • What you believe you deserve or don’t deserve
    • What you expect from life
    • What you believe about your purpose

Identity operates beneath the surface. It shapes thoughts, desires, decisions, habits, and the health of your relationships.
If identity is distorted, everything built on top of it becomes unstable.

Your identity is the root of the tree. Your behavior is the fruit.
Change the root. The fruit changes naturally.

Why Is Identity So Critically Important?

Identity determines:

A. How you relate to God

If you believe you are unworthy or unlovable, you will keep your distance or hide from God.
If you know you are loved and cherished, you will draw near with confidence.

B. How you relate to yourself

A broken or distorted fallen identity fuels insecurity, fear, shame, and self-rejection.
A proper God-given identity fuels peace, stability, confidence, and joy.

C. How you relate to others

People with broken identities:

      • Overreact / Unpredictable
      • Withdraw
      • Seek approval / Validation
      • Manipulate / Control
      • Fear abandonment
      • Hurt others unintentionally

People rooted in Chris based identity are able to:

      • Love freely
      • Forgive quickly
      • Remain stable under pressure
      • Serve without seeking return
      • Bring peace instead of conflict

People who know who they are in Christ can love freely and sacrificially without needing others to validate them.

D. How you walk out purpose

Identity directs destiny.
If you see yourself as weak, you will never step into what God designed you to do.
If you see yourself as chosen, equipped, and empowered, you will live boldly.

Identity shapes everything.

3. How Does God See You?

The Bible presents three clear identity categories.
Every person on earth fits into one of them.

Identity 1: The Unbeliever

(Lost • Dead in Sin • Separated • Self-Led)

This person:

      • Does not know God
      • Relies on self
      • Lives in spiritual darkness / Is blind to spiritual truth
      • Is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1)
      • Lives as their own master
      • Is not yet redeemed

This is not condemnation—but they face condemnation if they die in their sins

This is simply the starting point before salvation.

Identity 2: The Lukewarm Believer

(Found but Not Following • Unsurrendered • Dual-Minded)

This is the most common and most dangerous category.

A lukewarm believer:

      • Believes all about Jesus
      • Appreciates His teachings
      • Wants heaven but not a life of holiness
      • Wants blessings but not obedience
      • Selectively obeys if convenient
      • Lives mostly self-led
      • Has not chosen to Follow Jesus by denying self, taking up their cross, and surrender fully
      • Remains largely unchanged in identity and character
      • Fully exposed to consequences in the fallen world

Jesus describes folks in this group specifically in Revelation 3:
Confident in their status, but spiritually poor, blind, and vulnerable.

A lukewarm believer is not rejected by God —
but they are invited to repentance, surrender, and discipleship.

This category matters because many people mistakenly think:

“I believe in Jesus, therefore I am ok.’”

Scripture teaches otherwise – knowing about Jesus is just the beginning – He must know you through your obedience.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” – Matthew 7:21-23 

Belief is the doorway.
Surrender is the pathway.
Discipleship is the life.  

C. Identity 3: The Disciple

(Born Again • Submitted • Following Jesus • Empowered)

A disciple has:

      • Died to the old identity
      • Been born again into a new one
      • Received the Holy Spirit
      • Surrendered to Jesus as Lord
      • Begun walking in obedience
      • Embraced transformation
      • Begun producing spiritual fruit
      • Shifted from self-led to Spirit-led

This is what the New Testament calls being “in Christ.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Cor. 5:17

A disciple is not perfect.
A disciple is surrendered and committed to follow Jesus.

A disciple is not sinless.
A disciple is being transformed to learn from mistakes and grow and become more like Christ every day.

A disciple does not earn identity.
A disciple receives identity and lives from it.

How Can I Tell If I Am “In Christ”?

There is clear evidence and it is very clear: This is not about perfection — it is about direction, desire, and spiritual birth.

Below is a Self-Test to help you see where you stand:

Indicator

Unbeliever

Lukewarm Believer

Disciple (In Christ)
View of God Irrelevant

Useful but not central

Father, Lord, King
Relationship

None

Occasional engagement

Worship when convenient

Distant, Remote

Unresponsive – Don’t Hear His Voice, Don’t Do What He Asks

Knows About

Seeks To Get

Multiple Engagements Daily,

Worship At Least Weekly

Close Personal Relationship,

Responsive – Always Talking, Asking, Listening, Hearing, Doing

Knows. Understands. Trusts. Faith in promises,

Seeks To Serve
God’s Word

Irrelevant

Parts useful if they support my desires. Know a few verses, Mostly ignore

The Truth, Daily Focus, Immerse to Understand
Obedience

Not considered

Selective, when convenient

Surrendered
View of Sin

No conviction

Conviction but little change

Repentance and growth
Identity Source

Self, world

 Mixed, Double minded

Christ alone
Primary Desire Self-will Comfort now, Access to heaven then

God’s will
Transformation None Minimal

Evident and Increasing

Guiding Questions

      • Do I obey God always or only when it’s convenient?
      • Does Jesus shape my schedule, decisions, and desires?
      • Have I actually surrendered control of my life to Him?
      • Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit’s transformation in me?
      • Do I love God more than the world, or the world more than God?

Your answers reveal your current identity.

How Do I Become “In Christ” If I’m Not There Yet?

You enter the new identity through faith, repentance, and surrender.

Not by religion.
Not by good works.
Not by church attendance.
Not by mentally agreeing with doctrine.

Identity changes when Lordship changes.

Steps:

    1. Believe Jesus is who He says He is.
    2. Repent (turn away from self-rule).
    3. Surrender (embrace Jesus as Lord, not just Savior).
    4. Receive the Holy Spirit (the power of new life).
    5. Begin following Jesus daily (this is discipleship).

This is spiritual rebirth—the moment identity truly changes.

How Do I Embrace My Identity in Christ?

Identity must be received, then practiced, then grown.

Best Practices:

A. Renew Your Mind Daily

Replace self-lies with God’s truth.

B. Declare Identity Out Loud – see below

Your heart follows your words.

C. Reject Old Labels

Stop rehearsing shame, failure, and fear.

Notice those negative thoughts when they creep in and take them captive

D. Journal With Jesus

Ask:  “What lie am I believing?”

“What truth do You want me to embrace?”

E. Practice Obedience

Obedience strengthens identity.

F. Surround Yourself With Disciples

Identity grows in community.

Identity Declaration

“Lord, I choose to see myself as You see me.
I reject every false label, lie, and wound that has shaped my old identity.
I receive my identity in Christ — forgiven, redeemed, loved, chosen, and empowered by Your Spirit.
I surrender my life to You.
I choose to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You.
Write Your truth on my heart and help me walk it out boldly.
I am Yours, and I will live for Your glory. Amen.”

Am I Living From My New Identity In Christ? 

Most people assume they know where they stand spiritually, yet their daily thoughts, desires, and choices often tell a different story.

Identity is not what we claim—it is what we live from.

The following self-test helps you honestly evaluate whether your life reflects the identity of an Unbeliever, a Lukewarm Believer, or a surrendered Disciple. The goal is not condemnation but clarity. When you understand where you truly are, you can understand exactly what God is inviting you into next. Use this comparison to locate yourself with humility and courage.

Identity Self test:

Identity Area

Old Identity (Self-Led)

New Identity (Christ-Led)

Thoughts

Fear, Confusion, Shame

 Truth, Clarity, Hope
Emotions Volatile, Anxious, Bitter

Peace, Stability
Choices Flesh-driven – Feelings/Emotions

Spirit-led – God’s Will, God’s Word, God’s Voice
Relationships Reactive, insecure

Loving, generous

Purpose

 Unclear, small Eternal, God-given

Behavior

 Old patterns dominate Spiritual fruit growing

Guiding Questions

    • What does my daily behavior reveal about who I believe I am?
    • Do I treat others from insecurity or love?
    • Do I make decisions based on fear or faith?
    • Do I live from old wounds or new truth?
    • Am I walking as a disciple or a dual-minded believer?

Where To Learn More

Scripture

    • Romans 8
    • 2 Corinthians 5
    • Ephesians 1–3
    • Colossians 3
    • Galatians 2 & 5
    • John 15
    • Psalm 139

Books

Victory Over the Darkness – Neil Anderson

Renovation of the Heart – Dallas Willard

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness – Timothy Keller

The Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren

Keep Your Love On – Danny Silk

Teachers & Video Resources

Dan Mohler – Identity in Christ & transformation

Graham Cooke – New creation realities

Bill Johnson – Kingdom identity

Bible Project – Identity, holiness, salvation videos

Practices

Daily identity declarations – I Have A New Identity In Christ

Journaling with Jesus – You Can Hear God’s Voice Through Journaling

Scripture meditation

Community with disciples

Obedience-based spiritual growth

Final Thoughts

Your identity is the single most powerful force in your life.
If you see yourself through your past, wounds, failures, or emotions, you will stay trapped in the same patterns.

But if you begin to see yourself as God sees you—
loved, chosen, redeemed, empowered—
your entire life transforms.

You must choose:

Stay stuck in an old identity…
or embrace the new identity Jesus purchased for you.

When you choose the new:

Your relationships change.
Your emotions heal.
Your purpose awakens.
Your habits shift.
Your legacy begins.

Seeing yourself as God sees you is not just revelation—
it is the beginning of transformation.

See Others As God Sees Them

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

See Others As Jesus Sees Them
       – So You Can Love Them The Way He Does

Introduction

Seeing others through God’s eyes is essential for transforming relationships. Our natural inclination is to judge, react, or assign motives, but God calls us to something radically different. When we begin to understand the eternal value God places on each person, our treatment of them changes. We become more patient, more compassionate, and more aligned with His heart. This shift enables us to bring God’s love into every relationship and interaction.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” — John 13:34

The Created Value of Every Person

Every person carries God-given worth because they were created intentionally by Him. Their value does not come from performance, personality, achievements, or failures. It is anchored in their design, purpose, and eternal destiny.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” — Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

When we see people as image-bearers, we stop relating to them based on irritations, past hurts, or expectations. Instead, we start viewing them as God’s workmanship, individuals with destiny, dignity, and deep potential.

How Does God See People?

God sees beyond behavior and into the heart. He sees wounds, pressures, fears, and lies that shape people’s actions. His view is not limited to the present version of a person—He sees who they were created to become. That perspective is crucial because it allows us to love people not based on performance but on God’s revealed intention for them.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature… For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

God’s love is unwavering because it is rooted in His character, not human conduct. If we adopt this posture, we become more willing to extend grace to others—even when they fall short.

How Do We Know God Loves Every Person?

God loves every single person profoundly and sacrificially.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” — John 3:16 (NKJV)

“The Lord is… not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

“For the love of Christ compels us… that if One died for all, then all died.” — 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NKJV)

Because God loves all people deeply, our responsibility is to reflect that same posture. When we withhold love, we are misrepresenting Him. When we extend love—even when it is difficult—we become ambassadors of His heart.

How Does God Want Us to See and Treat Others

God desires that we view others through the lens of compassion, honor, and patience. This does not mean ignoring sin or avoiding truth—it means leading with love so truth can be received. Jesus did this perfectly.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” — Romans 12:10 (NKJV)

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

When we treat people the way God treats us, we build bridges instead of walls. We show compassion instead of criticism, patience instead of irritation, and honor instead of contempt. These actions reveal God’s character to the world.

What Does Love Look Like in Real Relationships?

Love is not abstract. It is visible in how we speak, listen, respond, and handle conflict. Love requires intentional choices—especially when emotions pull us in the opposite direction. Without practical action, love remains theoretical.

“Let all that you do be done with love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV)

“Above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” — 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)

Love looks like compassion in the face of frustration, forgiveness where offense used to live, and patience when someone’s weaknesses are on full display. These are the moments where Christ is revealed most clearly through us.

Do I See Others the Way God Sees Them? ( A Self Test) 

Seeing others through God’s eyes begins with awareness. Most of us don’t realize that we interpret people through filters shaped by past wounds, assumptions, fears, or personal expectations. These filters distort our perception and limit our ability to love well.

This self-test table below helps you slow down and examine the lens you’re using. When you compare your natural responses to God’s perspective, you can begin identifying where your vision needs to be renewed, where compassion is missing, and where judgment or fear has replaced love.

Category

Human / Fallen View Of Others

Enlightened View – How God Sees Them = I See Them

Identity

They are defined by how they look, what nationality they are, what ethnic group they belong to, how they dress, where they live, what car they drive, what job they do, how difficult they are to work with, or the reputation they have.

They are image-bearers with God-given worth, doing their best to get by in this fallen world.

Behavior

Their actions define them. That is who they are.

Their actions reflect wounds, not identity.

Potential

They will never change, cant change, don’t want to change.

God transforms anyone who is willing to yield to Him.
Motives

They may intend harm. They may be working against me.

They may well be acting from pain or blindness.

Value

They are not important to me unless they can help me.

 They matter deeply to God—and to me.

Questions to Ask 

  • When I think of a difficult person, what is my first thought about them?
  • Do I interpret their behavior as identity, or do I see their potential in God?
  • Am I more aware of their weaknesses or their worth?
  • Do I assume motives, or do I pause to consider possible wounds or pressures?
  • Do I value people based on how they treat me, or based on how God sees them?
  • Who have I labeled instead of loved?
  • Where is God inviting me to shift from a fallen perspective to His perspective?

 Do I Love Others the Way God Does?  (A Self Test)

Love is not defined by feelings or intentions but by behavior—how you show up, speak, respond, forgive, and remain present when relationships become challenging. This self-test helps you honestly examine whether your actions reflect the flesh or the Spirit. The goal is not condemnation but clarity. By identifying patterns of fallen love versus Christlike love, you can begin taking intentional steps toward healthier, more God-honoring relationships built on compassion, truth, forgiveness, and sacrificial care.

 

Area of Love

Fallen-Minded Love

Christlike Love

Patience

Short-tempered, irritated

Slow to anger, understanding

Forgiveness

Holds grudges

Forgives freely as Christ forgave

Expectations

Self-focused needs

Seeks to bless others

Communication

Criticism or sarcasm

 Truth in love, gentleness

Conflict

Withdraw or attack

 Seek peace, reconcile

Guiding Questions

    • How do I typically respond when someone frustrates or disappoints me?
    • Do my reactions reveal patience or irritation?
    • Is my forgiveness quick and full, or slow and conditional?
    • Do I communicate to gain advantage or to build up?
    • When conflict arises, do I move toward reconciliation or toward withdrawal or attack?
    • Do I expect others to meet my needs, or do I approach relationships as an opportunity to bless?
    • What would it look like to “love them as Christ loved me” in my next interaction with them?

Practical Steps to See and Love Others Like God Does

  • Pray daily: “Lord, help me see people the way You do.”
  • Replace lies with Scripture truth.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 (NKJV)

  • Practice compassionate listening before responding.
  • Ask Jesus: “What does my love look like right now?”
  • Journal to identify patterns and progress.

Where Can I Learn More?

Growing in the ability to see others as God sees them and to love them with Christlike love requires ongoing immersion in Scripture, reflection, and exposure to teachers who model and explain the heart of God with clarity and depth. The resources below offer a strong foundation for continued growth.

1. Key Scriptures to Meditate On

These passages reveal God’s heart toward people and teach us how to adopt His perspective.

God’s View of Humanity and Love

      • Genesis 1:26–27 – Created in His image
      • Jeremiah 31:3 – Everlasting love
      • John 3:16–17 – God’s love for the world
      • Romans 5:6–8 – Christ died for the ungodly
      • 2 Peter 3:9 – God desires all to come to repentance
      • 1 John 4:7–21 – God is love; we love because He loved first

How We Should See and Treat Others

      • Matthew 5:43–48 – Love your enemies
      • Luke 6:27–36 – Mercy as the Father is merciful
      • Romans 12:9–21 – Genuine love, honor, blessing persecutors
      • Galatians 5:22–26 – Fruit of the Spirit
      • Ephesians 4:1–3, 32 – Humility, gentleness, forgiveness
      • Philippians 2:1–8 – The mind of Christ in relationships
      • Colossians 3:12–17 – Compassion, patience, bearing with one another

Meditating on these verses daily reshapes the inner narrative and aligns the heart with God’s perspective.

2. Books and Written Resources

On God’s Love, Identity, and Transformation

“The Purpose Driven Life” – Rick Warren
Clear understanding of God’s purpose and how relationships fit into His design.

“Mere Christianity” – C.S. Lewis
Foundational insights on Christian virtue, humility, and the nature of love.

“The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness” – Timothy Keller
A short but powerful work on identity, humility, and seeing others rightly.

“Keep Your Love On” – Danny Silk
Practical relational tools rooted in honor, connection, and Christlike love.

“The Ragamuffin Gospel” – Brennan Manning
A deep dive into God’s compassion and how it transforms how we see others.

On Inner Transformation and the Renewed Heart

“Renovation of the Heart” – Dallas Willard
Why and how the mind, heart, and will are transformed into Christlikeness.

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” – Peter Scazzero
Understanding emotional immaturity that damages relationships and how to grow.

“Victory Over the Darkness” – Neil Anderson
Powerful grounding in identity and spiritual authority.

3. Video Resources (Teachers & Pastors)

Dan Mohler

Dan Mohler’s teaching is unmatched in addressing identity, love, and transformation. Search YouTube for:

“Dan Mohler – Identity in Christ”

“Dan Mohler – Loving Like Jesus”

“Dan Mohler – Seeing With God’s Eyes”

He offers practical, Spirit-filled explanations of how to walk in love without being controlled by emotion, offense, or fear.

John Bevere

“The Bait of Satan (Offense)”
Teaches how offense destroys relationships and how forgiveness restores freedom.

Joyce Meyer

Teachings on the Mind and Relationships
Clear, practical guidance on renewing the mind and walking in peace.

Francis Chan

“Lukewarm and Loving It?”

“You Are God’s Masterpiece”

Chan calls believers into deeper love, humility, and relational sacrifice.

Bible Project Videos

Videos on Love, Forgiveness, Holiness, and Image of God
Excellent visual explanations of biblical themes.

4. Pastors and Teachers Focused on Transformation & Love

Bill Johnson (Bethel Church)

Teaches the nature of God’s goodness and how love expresses heaven on earth.

Graham Cooke

Focuses on identity, new creation life, and seeing others through God’s lens.

Christine Caine

Encourages believers to live courageously, forgive deeply, and love boldly.

Henry Cloud & John Townsend

Clinical and biblical perspectives on relational health, boundaries, and growth.

5. Best Practices for Growth

Journal with Jesus

Capture insights, patterns, triggers, and victories as the Spirit guides you.

Memorize relational Scriptures

    • Ephesians 4
    • Colossians 3
    • Romans 12.

Practice one behavior change per week

For example: “This week, I will listen without interrupting.”

Pray daily for God’s eyes

“Lord, help me see people the way You see them.”

Engage in community

Growth happens in real relationships, not isolation.

Ask wise believers to speak into your life

Invite honest feedback on how you interact with others.

Final Thoughts

You have a choice: you can keep seeing people through old filters shaped by wounds, fears, and assumptions, and you will continue experiencing the same relational frustrations. Or you can allow God to reshape your perspective—to see people as He sees them: valuable, redeemable, and worth loving. When you adopt His perspective, you naturally adopt His heart. And with His heart comes the ability to build relationships that honor Him, bless others, and ripple into eternity.

Love Others As Jesus Loves You

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Love Others As Jesus Loves You

Introduction

Relationships are kingdom assignments. Every person you encounter is an opportunity to reveal God’s heart and demonstrate His love. Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love (John 13:35).

When relationships flourish, the kingdom advances. When they fracture, the enemy gains influence.

What Does Love Look Like? Jesus Shows Us

Jesus modeled perfect love:

  • He humbled Himself.
  • He absorbed injustice without retaliation.
  • He suffered for a higher cause.
  • He forgave His enemies while they tortured Him.
  • He sacrificed His life while we were still sinners.
  • He treated people with compassion, mercy, and truth.

How God Treats Us — The Source of Our Love

God treats us with patience, forgiveness, honor, truth wrapped in grace, and long-suffering love.

We are called to become conduits of the same love.

What Can Go Wrong in Relationships?

Relationships break down through harsh reactions, insecurity, assumptions, control, unforgiveness, withdrawal, pride, and self-protection.

These behaviors flow from ungodly beliefs, lies, and identity patterns in our old fallen, flesh led self

Fallen Me vs. Renewed Me — A Behavioral Self-Test

A majority of relationship problems are rooted in our fallen nature. Our heart is focused on serving ourselves rather than serving God and his kingdom and that flaw sets up a chain reaction of effects in our mind and our will that cause significant problems. The easiest way to discern the state of your heart is to examine your behaviors. Jesus taught that “a tree is known by its fruit,” meaning our outward responses reveal the internal beliefs, motives, and loves that drive us. The table below offers a simple way to see whether you are operating from the flesh (fallen patterns) or from the Spirit (renewed patterns rooted in love and truth). These contrasts will help you identify where transformation is needed and where God is ready willing and able to transform you when your are ready.

 

Area of Life

 Fallen Me (Old Nature)

Renewed Me (Christlike Nature)

Communication

interrupts, accuses, reacts defensively

 listens well, responds gently, speaks life and truth

Conflict

 withdraws, escalates, retaliates pursues peace, forgives quickly, seeks unity

Emotional Posture

anxious, irritable, easily offended

patient, secure in Christ, gracious
View of Others assumes motives, sees threats believes the best, sees God’s image in people
Self-Protection puts up walls, avoids vulnerability practices humility, openness, and connection
Control manipulates, pressures, demands certainty trusts God, releases outcomes, submits desires

Identity Source

 insecurity, shame, comparison grounded in acceptance and love in Christ
Expectations demands others meet emotional needs communicates needs, gives freely, forgives failures

Emotional Responses

 blames, criticizes, keeps score blesses, encourages, lets go of offense
Relational Goal “protect me,” “prove me right,” “meet my needs” “love others,” “bring unity,” “reflect Jesus”

Reflection Questions:

– Which column describes me more often for each area?
– What patterns do I see?
– What one behavior is God inviting me to replace first?

Six Foundational Lies That Damage Relationships

Before behaviors surface, before words are spoken, and before conflict erupts, something deeper is at work: beliefs. Every relationship problem is rooted in a lie about God, about ourselves, or about others. These foundational lies shape how we interpret situations, how we emotionally respond, and how we treat people. If the root is fear, insecurity, pride, or self-protection, the fruit will always be unhealthy. By identifying these core lies and replacing them with God’s truth, we uproot the real source of relational dysfunction.

The table below contrasts the fallen ungodly belief with its relational impact and the renewing truth that sets the heart free.

Foundational Area Ungodly Belief (Lie) Relational Impact Truth That Corrects
Protection “I must protect myself.” Creates defensiveness, tension, shutdown, overreaction God is my defender (Psalm 91). I am safe in His covering.
Control “I must control outcomes.” Produces pressure, anxiety, manipulation, frustration God directs my steps (Proverbs 3:5–6). I can trust His lead.
Identity & Value “My worth depends on how others treat me.” Creates insecurity, emotional volatility, fear of rejection I am accepted, chosen, beloved in Christ (Ephesians 1:6).
Needs & Expectations “Others must meet my needs.” Produces resentment, entitlement, disappointment God supplies all my needs (Philippians 4:19). Others are not my source.
Justice & Forgiveness “If someone hurts me, they deserve punishment.” Leads to bitterness, withholding forgiveness, relational coldness Forgive as Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness sets me free.
Pride & Being Right “I must be right to be okay.” Escalates conflict, blinds self-awareness, blocks growth Humble yourself before God (James 4:10). He lifts up the humble.

– Do I frequently defend myself?
– Do I get anxious when I can’t control outcomes?
– Does others’ approval impact me deeply?
– Do I expect others to meet emotional needs?
– Do I struggle to forgive?
– Do I resist admitting I’m wrong?

Ask the Lord to reveal the ungodly fundamental beliefs driving your behavior, repent, and embrace the truth.

The Top 10 Lies That Disrupt Relationships

Once the foundational lies take root, they begin producing a second layer of “functional lies” that shape how we interpret people, handle conflict, and emotionally react in the moment. These lies operate quickly and subconsciously. They distort our perception, fuel offense, justify unhealthy behavior, and block love from flowing freely. Recognizing these lies is essential because they reveal the exact point of breakdown in your relational patterns.

The table below contrasts the lie, its relational effect, and the truth that restores clarity and connection.

Category Lie (Fallen Perspective) Relational Effect Truth That Corrects
Safety & Trust “People are out to get me.” Creates suspicion, distance, hypervigilance God protects me (Psalm 121). I can relate from peace, not fear.
Trust & Vulnerability “I can’t trust anyone.” Produces isolation, guardedness, shallow relationships Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Wisdom guides trust, not fear.
Identity & Worth “I must prove myself.” Creates striving, pride, performance-driven living I am accepted and complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10).
Self-Worth “I’m unlovable.” Causes insecurity, clinginess, jealousy I am beloved by God (1 John 3:1). My worth is settled in Him.
Conflict & Rejection “Conflict means rejection.” Leads to avoidance, shutdown, or people-pleasing Healthy conflict deepens unity (Matthew 18).
Forgiveness “Forgiving them lets them win.” Fuels bitterness, resentment, emotional bondage Forgiveness sets me free (Matthew 6:14–15).
Control & Pressure “If I don’t control it, everything will fall apart.” Produces anxiety, micromanagement, tension God holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).
Interpretation & Emotions “My feelings tell the truth.” Causes misinterpretation, false assumptions, overreaction Truth > feelings (John 8:32). My emotions must be tested by Scripture.
Expectations “If they loved me, they’d know what I need.” Creates resentment, misunderstanding, emotional distance Love communicates clearly and graciously (Ephesians 4:15).
Hope & Change “Change is too hard.” Leads to hopelessness, stagnation, giving up The Spirit empowers transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Which of these lies appears in my internal dialogue?

Which ones show up most during conflict?

Which ones surface when I feel stressed or insecure?

Which lie feels “true” emotionally even though Scripture contradicts it?

Which lie impacts my closest relationships the most?

The Four Transformation Threads That Restore All Relationships

Identifying the problem is only half the journey; transformation requires partnering with God to actually change the roots that drive our relational patterns.

Every unhealthy behavior, emotional reaction, or relational breakdown traces back to deeper spiritual forces:

  1. what we love,
  2. what we believe,
  3. which nature we are operating from.

To restore the flow of love and rebuild relationships God’s way, we must walk through four core transformation threads.

These threads work together to reshape how we see God, how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we behave.

Each thread plays a critical role in healing relationships and aligning your life with the heart of Jesus.

Thread 1: Put God First — Submit to Him, deny self, put off the old man, and walk by the Spirit.
Thread 2: See Yourself as God Sees You — Identity stabilizes emotional life.
Thread 3: See Others as God Sees Them — Honor, compassion, patience, forgiveness.
Thread 4: Replace Old Behaviors With New Ones Rooted in Love and Truth — Renew mind, uproot lies, practice Christlike responses.

These four threads are not quick fixes; they are the ongoing movements of a transformed life.

When practiced together, they dismantle the lies, fears, and self-centered patterns that prevent love from flowing—and they cultivate the Christlike character that makes healthy relationships possible.

Each thread addresses a different dimension of the heart: your allegiance, your identity, your perspective, and your daily actions.

The following sections unpack each thread so you can understand what it means, why it matters, and how to apply it in real relationships with real people.

Thread 1: Put God First

This thread addresses submission, denying self, putting off the old nature, and walking by the Spirit.

This  is important because misaligned allegiance produces fear, control, self-protection, and flesh-driven relationships.

Address this through daily surrender, repentance, Scripture meditation, obedience, and examining motives.

Best Practices:

    • Daily submission prayer
    • Declaration of Submission – see below
    • Take thoughts captive
    • Journal areas of resistance
    • Practice obedience in small things

Declaration of Submission: Lord, I submit every part of my life to You. I deny my old self, lay down my agendas, and choose to live by Your Spirit. I surrender my thoughts, desires, and actions to Your will. Strengthen me to obey and shape me to reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name.Best Practices:

Learn More: Submit to God and The Devil Will Flee 

                              Deny Your Self, Pick Up Your Cross, and Follow Jesus – Lose Your Life To FInd It

Thread 2: See Yourself as God Sees You

This thread addresses identity, worth, acceptance, righteousness, and your place in God’s family.

This is important because insecurity and false identity drive reactivity, fear, and relational instability.
How to Address It: Address it by declaring biblical identity, renouncing lies, receiving God’s love, and practicing gratitude.

Best Practices:

    • Identity declaration
    • Meditate on Ephesians 1–2
    • Ask God how He sees you
    • Reject comparison

Learn More: See Yourself As God Sees You – Stand In Your New Identity in Christ

Thread 3: See Others as God Sees Them

This thread addresses perspective, honor, compassion, forgiveness, and how you interpret others.
This is important because distorted views of others create suspicion, offense, judgment, and emotional distance.
This is addressed through forgiveness, blessing, empathy, believing the best, and slowing down reactions.

    • Pray for others daily
    • Release judgments
    • Practice patient listening
    • Serve without expectation

Learn More: See Others As God Sees Them – Image Bearing Children With Great Potential ( Link to be provided soon)

Thread 4: Replace Old Behaviors With New Ones Rooted in Love and Truth

This thread addresses habits, emotional reactions, speech, conflict patterns, and relational skills.
This is important because transformation requires putting off harmful habits and practicing Christlike responses.
This is addressed through renewing the mind, rehearsing truth, practicing new behaviors, and accountability.

Best Practices:

    • Truth replacement statements
    • Pause before responding
    • Journal triggers
    • Practice kindness daily

Learn More: Ungodly Beliefs Limit You – The Truth Will Set You Free

Take Your Thoughts Captive – Your Thoughts Are Not Your Own

Where To Learn More

Transformation is an ongoing journey. These resources will help you deepen your understanding of God’s love, renew your identity, and grow in relational maturity.

They are organized by Scripture, books, teachers, and practices so you can explore at your own pace.

1. Key Scriptures to Study and Meditate On

Love and Christlike Relationships

1 Corinthians 13 – God’s definition of love; a mirror for relational growth

Matthew 5–7 – The heart posture Jesus expects of His followers

Romans 12 – Living as a transformed sacrifice who overcomes evil with good

Colossians 3 – Putting off the old self and putting on Christlike character

1 John 4 – Love as the evidence of knowing God

Identity and Your New Life in Christ

Ephesians 1–2 – Who you are in Christ and what God has already done

Romans 6–8 – Dying to the flesh and living by the Spirit

Galatians 2:20 & 5:16–25 – Crucifying the flesh and walking in freedom

Forgiveness, Compassion, and Unity

Matthew 18 – Forgiveness, reconciliation, healthy conflict

Philippians 2 – Humility and the mindset of Christ

John 15 – Abiding in Christ to bear relational fruit

2. Books That Equip You for Relational Transformation

Emotional and Relational Health

The Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course – Peter Scazzero
Teaches practical skills for communication, authenticity, and healthy boundaries.

Keep Your Love On – Danny Silk
A powerful guide for reducing fear, choosing connection, and building trust.

Removing Offense, Bitterness, and Ungodly Patterns

The Bait of Satan – John Bevere
Foundational in understanding offense, forgiveness, and spiritual traps.

Unoffendable – Brant Hansen
A humorous and convicting approach to eliminating offense entirely.

Identity and Spiritual Formation

Victory Over Darkness – Neil Anderson
Deep dive into identity, authority, and renewing your mind.

Renovation of the Heart – Dallas Willard
The inner transformation journey of mind, heart, will, and character.

3. Bible Teachers and Video Series Worth Studying

Identity, Love, and Christlike Living

Dan Mohler
Teaches identity in Christ, walking in love, eliminating self-centeredness, and seeing others through God’s eyes.

Freedom, Forgiveness, and Spiritual Maturity

John Bevere
Deep insight on offense, forgiveness, authority, and character.

Pete Scazzero
Excellent teaching on emotional maturity as an essential part of spiritual maturity.

Bible-Based Relationship Teaching

Andy Stanley: “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets”
Helpful for understanding motives, integrity, and relational impact.

Tim Keller (Marriage & Relationship Series)
Deep theology applied to love, sacrifice, and covenant relationships.

4. Practices That Reinforce Transformation

Daily Spiritual Practices

Morning Submission Prayer
Begin your day by surrendering mind, heart, will, and relationships to God.

Identity Declarations
Speak truth over yourself to dismantle insecurity and fear.

Love Declarations
Declare your commitment to honor, forgive, and bless others.

Relational Practices

The PAUSE Rule — Before responding, Pause, Ask God, Understand, Speak truth in love.

Active Listening — Listen to understand, not to react.

Confession & Forgiveness — Quickly remove relational toxins.

Blessing Others — Pray intentionally for those who irritate or hurt you.

Transformational Journaling  – Ask Jesus:

      • “What lie did I believe?”
      • “What truth do You want me to stand on?”
      • “What behavior came from my old nature?”
      • “What does love look like right now?”

Relational Diagnostics – Monthly review:

      • “Where did I react instead of respond?”
      • “Who do I need to forgive?”
      • “What behavior is God inviting me to replace?”

5. Courses, Tools, and Church-Based Resources

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS)

A structured, church-friendly curriculum for inner healing, emotional maturity, and relational transformation.

Freedom Ministries / Freedom App

Teaches how to dismantle lies, break ungodly patterns, and walk in truth.

Celebrate Recovery (CR)

A Christ-centered program for dealing with hurts, habits, and hang-ups that affect relationships.

Alpha Course (Relational Evangelism)

Teaches how to engage others with compassion, humility, and patience.

Final Thoughts

You have a choice. You can continue doing what you’ve always done and keep getting the same painful, predictable results. Or you can change the entire game by aligning your life with God’s design. When you put Him first, embrace how He sees you, learn to see others through His eyes, and replace old reactions with truth and love, everything shifts. Relationships begin to heal. Patterns break. Love flows where fear once lived. You stop managing damage and start building something eternal. Apply these truths to every interaction, big or small, and you will create relationships that carry real value, leave a legacy, and bring glory to God’s name for generations.

 

Deny Yourself and Pick Up Your Cross – Lose Your Life to Find It

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Deny Yourself and Pick Up Your Cross – Lose Your Life to Find It

Introduction

Jesus’ invitation to discipleship is not a call to self-improvement, religious performance, or moral self-polishing.

His words touch identity, desire, and destiny:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

To many, these words feel weighty or unclear—but they are an invitation into true life.

To ‘lose your life’ for Christ is not to lose yourself—it is to exchange the false self for the life you were created for.

What It Means to Deny Yourself

Denying yourself is an identity-level surrender.

It is laying down:

  • Your self-made identity  – based on worldly perspectives like ego, performance, positions, possessions
  • Your self-rule and self-will
  • Your version of your story
  • Your demand for control and comfort

It is the release of the old identity shaped by wounds, pride, fear, shame, and self-reliance so Christ can define who you truly are.

What denying yourself is NOT:

It is not:

  • Self-hatred or self-rejection
  • Losing your God-given personality
  • Suppressing your worth or dignity
  • Punishing yourself or rejecting joy

Jesus is not asking you to erase yourself—but to release the false self-centered self so your true life can emerge.

Crucifying the Flesh – The Daily Internal Battle

The ‘flesh’ is the fallen nature within us—self-centered impulses, emotional reflexes, and ungodly desires.

It includes:

  • Pride
  • Lust
  • Resentment
  • Anger and retaliation
  • Fear and self-protection

To crucify the flesh is to yield to the Holy Spirit as He dismantles what you cannot kill on your own.

It prepares your soul to carry your cross with love, endurance, and forgiveness.

What It Means to Pick Up Your Cross Daily

Picking up your cross is the external expression of internal surrender.

It is not just enduring hardship—it is embracing obedience and sacrificial love even when it costs you.

It includes:

  • Choosing obedience when it is costly
  • Loving when it hurts
  • Absorbing mistreatment without retaliation
  • Forgiving instead of resenting
  • Enduring pressure without quitting

This is only possible when self is denied and the flesh is crucified. The cross requires a dead flesh and a living Spirit.

Why This Is Important

Humanity was created for purpose—to reflect God, walk with Him, and partner with Him in a world filled with His glory.

Sin disrupted this purpose, twisting identity, warping desire, derailing destiny, and separating us from God.

Your purpose was interrupted as well. To be restored to the life God intended, the old self must die so the new life can rise.

The early church said:

“Die before you die, so that when you die, you will not die.”

Surrender now restores purpose, shapes eternal destiny, and prepares you for the joy of heaven.

How to Deny Yourself and Pick Up Your Cross

A practical pathway emerges:

  1. Deny Yourself – surrender identity, will, and story.
  2. Crucify the Flesh – allow the Spirit to kill sinful patterns.
  3. Pick Up Your Cross – embrace sacrificial obedience.
  4. Follow Jesus – live as His disciple, partner, and representative.

Best practices:

  • Daily surrender prayer
  • Declaring Your Surrender Out Loud – Declaration provided below
  • Staying focused on your purpose: bring God glory, become love, manifest Christ, shine as a beacon
  • Journaling identity lies and exchanging them for truth
  • Confessing sinful desires and yielding them to the Spirit
  • Practicing forgiveness and humility
  • Embracing discomfort for serving God’s purpose

Declaration of Surrender and Cross-Bearing

Lord, I choose to lose this fallen life to find new life through You.
I deny my old self: I will let go of every false identity, every self-centered motive, and every attempt to control my own way.
I will release my pride, my wounds, my demands, and everything that once defined me.
My life no longer belongs to me—it belongs to You.

I crucify my flesh: I will put to death every sinful reaction, desire, and pattern that rises from my old nature.
I will choose patience over impulse, purity over compromise, and truth over the lies that once shaped me.
Holy Spirit, strengthen me—because I cannot change myself, but You can transform me completely.

I pick up my cross today: I will choose to sacrifice my interest and flow God’s love even when it costs me something.
I will forgive quickly, refuse offense, obey when it’s uncomfortable, and endure without quitting.
I will love others the way Jesus loves me, even when it hurts.

I will follow and imitate Jesus: I will walk in humility, compassion, servanthood, and surrender.
I will seek to become love in every situation, letting His nature guide my thoughts, words, and actions.
Where Jesus would go, I will go; what Jesus would do, I will do—by the power of His Spirit.

Lord, It is no longer “I” who lives, but Christ lives in me and through me.
Apart from Christ I can do nothing, but with the Holy Spirit all things are possible.
With His help, I will bring glory to God in all I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Self-Diagnostic: Old Self vs. New Life in Christ

Before we can follow Jesus fully, we must honestly evaluate which parts of our old self are still alive and which parts of Christ’s new life are now active within us.

The table below is a tool to help you recognize where the self-life still holds influence and where the Spirit is already at work.

Reflect on each row honestly. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth.

Ask Him: “Lord, what flawed/fallen part of me needs to die today so more of You can live in me?”

See which column best describes the recurring patterns in your life.

Confess those areas of weakness to God and surrender them to His authority.

Celebrate and reinforce areas where new life is evident.

Allow this assessment to guide intentional spiritual growth and daily cross-bearing.

 

Aspect

Old Self Indicators

New Life in Christ Indicators

Identity

Self-made identity, insecurity, role-dependence

 Identity rooted in Christ, security, belovedness

Will

Self-rule, resistance, control

Submission, yieldedness, trust

Desires

Impulses, lusts, resentments

Spirit-shaped desires, purity, compassion
Emotions

Reactivity, resentment, fear

Peace, forgiveness, emotional stability

Relationships

Self-protection, pride, withdrawal

 Love, humility, reconciliation
Suffering Response

Bitterness, retaliation, escapism

 Endurance, faithfulness, forgiveness

Obedience

Convenience-based obedience

Costly obedience, joyful submission
Purpose

Living for self

 Living for God’s glory, becoming love

Where to Learn More

Key Scriptures To Read / Meditate On:

  • Luke 9:23–25 — The Core Call to Discipleship

Jesus’ most direct teaching on denying self, taking up your cross daily, and losing your life to find it. Essential for grasping the heart of discipleship.

  • Galatians 5:16–25 — Crucifying the Flesh

Explains the battle between flesh and Spirit, the works of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit. Shows that flesh crucifixion is only possible through the Holy Spirit.

  • Romans 12:1–2 — A Living Sacrifice

Reveals how surrender leads to transformation through renewal of the mind. Emphasizes presenting your whole life to God as worship.

  • John 12:24–26 — The Grain of Wheat Must Die

Jesus explains that fruitfulness, impact, and eternal value flow from dying to self.

  • Philippians 3:7–14 — Losing All to Gain Christ

Paul’s personal testimony of exchanging self-driven purpose for Christ-driven purpose.

  • John 15 — Abiding, Fruitfulness, and Pruning

Shows that life flows from abiding, and pruning (removal, surrender) leads to greater fruit.

Books:

  • The Practice of the Presence of God — Brother Lawrence

A classic on walking with God in all things. Helps readers cultivate a surrendered, moment-by-moment awareness of God’s presence—essential for denying self.

  • Renovation of the Heart — Dallas Willard

A deep treatment of spiritual transformation. Willard explains how God reshapes identity, desires, will, emotions, and habits—the “inner self” Jesus calls us to deny.

  • Victory Over Darkness — Neil Anderson

A practical resource for identity in Christ, authority over sin, and overcoming the lies of the flesh—excellent for crucifying the old nature.

  • The Purpose Driven Life — Rick Warren

Focuses on God’s purpose for your life and how surrender leads to meaning, mission, and fulfillment in Christ.

  • Cost of Discipleship — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A sobering, profound work that declares: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” A must-read for understanding the cross-bearing life.

Teachers:

  • Dan Mohler — Intimacy With God

Powerfully explains relational Christianity, identity in Christ, and why self-centered living must die.
Focus: Removing self, becoming love, manifesting Christ.

  • Dan Mohler — Cultivating a Genuine Relationship With God

Shows how surrender, trust, and ongoing fellowship change everything—excellent for learning to deny self practically.

  • Dan Mohler — Getting Alone With God

Stresses the importance of fellowship with the Father as the foundation for transformation.
Focuses heavily on identity surrender and removing self-awareness.

  • John Bevere — The Awe of God

Emphasizes the fear of the Lord, obedience, and holy surrender.
Great for understanding why denying self is essential.

  • Craig Groeschel — Mastermind (Renewing Your Mind)

Helpful series for renewing thinking patterns and crucifying mental habits of the flesh.

  • Francis Chan — Surrender / Lukewarm Christianity

Stirs conviction and vision for wholehearted discipleship.

Practices: 

  • Daily Surrender Prayer

Start each day by offering your identity, will, desires, and plans to God.
This resets your “inner compass” toward Christ.

  • Scripture Meditation (Slow, Reflective Reading)

Focus especially on passages about identity, surrender, love, and transformation.
Allow the Spirit to spotlight areas where the flesh must die.

  • Journaling (Lie → Truth Exchange)

Write down lies of the old self, confront them with Scripture, and replace them with the truth of who you are in Christ.

  • Holy Spirit Partnership

Ask the Spirit daily:
“Show me what in me must die today so Christ can live more fully.”
Crucifying the flesh is His work, not yours.

  • Practicing Forgiveness in Real Time

Cross-bearing requires releasing resentment the moment it tries to take root.
This is one of the clearest indicators of a crucified flesh.

  • Choosing Costly Obedience

Whenever obedience requires discomfort, choose obedience—this builds the spiritual muscles of cross-bearing.

  • Community & Accountability

Walk with others who are pursuing deep transformation.
Ask them to help you identify blind spots in the flesh and to encourage your spiritual growth.

  • Maintaining Focus on Eternal Purpose

Remind yourself daily:

“I exist to bring God glory.”

“I exist to become love.”

“I exist to manifest Christ.”

“I exist to shine His light into darkness.”

Purpose fuels surrender; surrender fuels purpose.

Final Thoughts

Denying yourself, crucifying the flesh, and carrying your cross daily cannot be learned by accident.
They require:

    • revelation
    • consistent training
    • immersion in the Word
    • models to follow
    • practical tools
    • Spirit-empowered transformation

These resources and best practices will help guide and sustain the journey.

God Wants An Active Relationship

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God Wants a Personal Relationship with You, Not Just Transactions

Introduction

Many people relate to God like He’s a distant cosmic vending machine:

• I put in prayers, good behavior, church attendance…
• He’s supposed to give me protection, blessings, answers, success…

That’s not Christianity. That’s a contract.

The God of the Bible is not looking for transactions.  He is seeking relationship — real, ongoing, personal, responsive connection.

He specifically calls us into fellowship with Christ – He wans us to spend time together and get to know each other.

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9

This is not a casual suggestion.  He is very direct in telling us eternal life is not about knowing a secret pass code or speaking a special prayer just to get into heaven someday. Eternal life is knowing God.

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3,

What Is an Active, Personal Relationship with God?

Think of the healthiest human relationships you know—where there is:

  • Real conversation
  • Mutual trust
  • Shared life
  • Growth over time
  • Joy in simply being together

An active relationship with God is all of that, plus infinitely more — only He is God and you are not.

At its core, a personal relationship with God means:

  • You invite Him into every aspect of your real life—decisions, struggles, joys.
  • You talk with Him honestly and frequently – not just talking at Him, and not just when you need something.
  • You seek guidance and listen for His leading through His Word and His Spirit.
  • You care about what He cares about, and you let Him shape your priorities.
  • You respond: when He convicts, you repent; when He leads, you follow.

It’s ongoing, two-way interaction with a living loving Person with infinite love and wisdom, not just some distant idea.

How Is This Different Than A Distant Transactional Relationship?

A transactional relationship with God sounds like:

  • “If I’m good, He owes me good things.”
  •  “If I read my Bible today, He’ll protect me.”
  • “If I give money, He has to bless my finances.”
  • “If I pray hard enough, He must say yes.”

Key features of transactional faith:

  • It treats God like a system to work, not a Person to know.
  • It focuses on outcomes more than closeness.
  • It often produces fear (“Did I do enough?”) or resentment (“Why didn’t He come through?”).
  • It makes obedience a bargaining chip, not a love response.

By contrast, a relational walk with God says:

  • “I obey because I love Him.
  • “I trust Him even when I don’t understand.”
  • “I seek His presence more than His presents.”
  • “I value His will above my preferences.”

In a personal relationship, God is the treasure, not just the means to other treasures.

Why Is It So Important to KNOW God Personally Rather Than Just Know ABOUT God?

You can:

  • Quote verses,
  • Win biblical arguments,
  • Serve in ministry,
  • Be busy for God…
    …and still not actually know Him.

Knowing ABOUT God is having information.
Actually Knowing God is connection.

  • Information can impress people.
  • Connection changes you.

Jesus warned about people who did “religious things” without relationship:

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not…done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…’”— Matthew 7:22–23

Why does relationship matter so much?

  • Because love requires knowing the other person.
  • Because trust is built through personal history with Him.
  • Because obedience flows from love, not fear.
  • Because only relational knowledge produces real transformation, not just behavior modification.

How Does a Relationship with God Lead to Transformation and Partnership?

When you walk closely with God, two major things happen:

A. You Are Transformed

    • His truth confronts your lies.
    • His love heals your wounds.
    • His holiness exposes your sin patterns.
    • His Spirit strengthens your weakness.

The more time you spend with Him, the more you become like Him:

“…we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18

Transformation isn’t you trying harder. It’s God changing you from the inside out as you yield and walk with Him.

B. You Become a Partner in His Work

God doesn’t just want to fix your life. He wants to work through your life.

As your relationship deepens:

    • You begin to see people through His eyes.
    • You care about what He cares about.
    • You sense His nudges to encourage, serve, pray, give, speak, step out.
    • You find yourself joining God in what He is already doing.

The Flow Is:   Relationship → Transformation → Partnership.

How Do I Know If I Have an Active Relationship with God?

Here are some honest diagnostic questions. Not to condemn, but to clarify.

A. Is there real interaction?

    • Do you talk to God at least once a day, or only in emergencies?
    • I Your Prayer A one Way Monolog?  or How much of your time with God are you quieting yourself to listen?

B. Is there real dependence?

    • Do you actively seek His input in decisions, or mostly rely on your own reasoning?
    • When life gets hard, do you run toward Him or away from Him?

C. Is there real change?

    • Are you focused on God’s word, reading, seeking wisdom and insight, reflecting, using it to learn and grow?
    • Is God’s Word actually shaping your beliefs, attitudes, and choices?
    • Are there areas where you can say, “I’m not who I used to be because of Him”?

D. Is there real affection?

    • Do you understand and value the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated for you?
    • Do you ever want to be with Him simply for Him, not just to get solutions or answers to prayers?
    • Is there a growing sense of love for God, not just an obligation for compliance?

If most of your spiritual life feels like:

    • Adopting God’s rules when convenient
    • Talking to Him when you need something
    • Doing rituals to checking a box 
    • Keeping rules because someone wants us to be obedient
    • Managing guilt when we fall short
    • Hoping to do enough “stay on God’s good side”
      …you may be operating more transactionally than relationally.

The good news? That can change—starting now.

How Do I Establish (or Re-Establish) an Active Personal Relationship With God?

Here are some best practices and relational rhythms—not laws, but life-giving patterns.

1) Come to Him Honestly, Not Perfectly

Relationships deepen through honesty, not performance.

    • Tell Him the truth about where you are – It is about you actually admitting it.
    • Bring your doubts, fears, confusion, even your anger.
    • Stop editing yourself for God—He already knows.

Pray something like:
“Lord, I want a real relationship with You. I admit I’ve often treated You like a system or a vending machine instead of a loving Father. I bring You the real me. Teach me to walk with You.”

2) Meet Him Daily in His Word as a Person, Not a Rulebook

Don’t just “check off” Bible reading.

Read to meet Him.

    • Ask: “What does this verse show me about who You are?”
    • Look for His character, His heart, His ways.
    • Let a single verse sink in and respond to it.

The Bible is not just information; it’s a meeting place.

3) Practice Two-Way Prayer

Move from monologue to dialog – a real conversation.

    • Talk to Him about your day, decisions, temptations, relationships.
    • Ask specific questions: “Lord, how do You want me to respond here?”
    • Then pause. Be still. Pay attention to Scriptures, impressions aligned with His Word, and wise counsel that He may use to answer.

You won’t always feel something dramatic, but consistency builds sensitivity.

4) Obey Promptly in Small Things

Nothing deepens a relationship with God like obedience.

    • When He convicts you: repent quickly.  Thank Him for pointing out the improvement opportunity and repent to move forward.
    • When He nudges you: respond, even if it’s small.
    • When Scripture confronts your pattern: adjust, don’t argue and try to justify.

Obedience is how you show God, “I value Your voice.”

5) Invite Him Into Your Real Life, Not Just “Spiritual Moments”

    • Ask Him into your work, your errands, your parenting, your conversations.
    • Turn everyday tasks into conversation points with Him.
    • Learn to say, “Walk with me in this, Lord.”

That’s how He becomes Lord of your life, not just a religious category.

6) Walk With Others Who Walk With God

God designed relationship with Him to be lived in community.

    • Spend time with people who actually know and love God.
    • Join or build a small group focused on following Jesus relationally, not just intellectually.
    • Let others encourage, challenge, and sharpen you.

Being around people who truly know God will stir your hunger to know Him too.

7) Guard Against Slipping Back Into Transactions

Keep an eye out for thoughts like:

    • “If I do this, God has to do that…”
    • “God owes me because I…”

When you catch them, correct them:

“No, Lord. You don’t owe me anything. You’ve already given me everything in Jesus.

I obey and seek You because I love You, not to control You.”

That mindset shift is huge.

8) Speak This Declaration until you are aligned with it in your soul

“Lord, I Declare that I am committed to a personal relationship with you.

You have called me into fellowship with You,  not merely to believe in You,
but to know You, to walk with You, and to live my life in partnership with You.

I commit to seeking Your input and participation in every part of my life,
not only in moments of need, but in every aspect of my daily life.

I renounce my old one-sided relationship with You.
I now choose to listen as well as speak; I will ask, listen and follow where you lead.

I commit to getting to know you through Your Word,
remaining sensitive to Your Voice and Your Spirit moving in me.
I will be led through truth and obedience.
I will acknowledging You in all my ways.

I choose relationship over religion,
obedience over convenience,
and dependence on You over dependence on myself.

Knowing You is my highest priority, walking with You is my greatest joy,
and abiding in You is the source true life, now and for eternity.

You are not a means to my own goals.
You are Lord of my life, and my goal is to serve you and bring you glory in all i do.

I yield myself to You fully and commit to growing in relationship with You all the days of my life.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Where Can I Learn More

Key Sections of Scripture to Meditate On

    • John 15 – Abiding in Christ: Jesus explains how life flows from remaining in Him and walking in ongoing relationship.
    • Psalm 27 – Seeking God’s Presence: A model of desire, confidence, and trust rooted in relational intimacy.
    • James 4 – Drawing Near to God: Clear truth about approaching God, resisting the enemy, and cultivating humility.
    • Romans 12 – Renewing the Mind: Transformation comes from presenting ourselves to God and letting Him reshape our thinking.
    • Philippians 3 – Knowing Christ Above All: Paul shows that knowing Jesus personally surpasses religious accomplishments.

Books and Written Resources

    • The Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren: A foundational guide to discovering God’s purpose and walking with Him daily.
    • Reaching for the Invisible God – Philip Yancey: Honest, reflective writing on pursuing intimacy with God in the middle of real life.
    • The Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence: A classic work on learning to walk with God moment by moment.
    • Renovation of the Heart – Dallas Willard: A deep dive into how God transforms character through relational discipleship.
    • Victory Over Darkness – Neil Anderson: Practical teaching on identity, spiritual authority, and freedom in Christ.

Videos to Watch

    • Dan Mohler – Cultivating a Genuine Relationship with God: A powerful message on moving from obligation to intimacy.
    • Dan Mohler – Intimacy With God: Practical teaching on how closeness with God reshapes identity and behavior.
    • Dan Mohler – Getting Alone With God: A reminder of the importance of private time with God as the foundation of spiritual life.
    • Dan Mohler – Knowing About God vs. Knowing God: Explores the critical difference between information and transformation.
    • John Bevere – The Awe of God: Examines how the fear of the Lord deepens connection and strengthens spiritual maturity.

Best Practices for Building an Active Relationship with God

    • Meet with God Daily- Consistent time in prayer, Scripture, and honest reflection builds sensitivity to His voice.
    • Read Scripture for Relationship-: Approach the Bible to discover God’s heart, not just to gather information.
    • Practice Two-Way Prayer: Share openly with God and pause to listen; allow Scripture and the Spirit to guide.
    • Obey Quickly in Small Things: Responding to God’s nudges builds trust and deepens relational connection.
    • Walk with Godly Community: Surround yourself with believers who pursue God relationally, not transactionally.
    • Welcome God Into Everyday Life: Invite Him into decisions, struggles, conversations, and ordinary routines.
    • Reject Transactional Thinking: Replace performance-based approaches with relational trust and love-driven obedience.

Final Encouragement: God Wants You, Not Your Performance

If your spiritual life has felt dry, distant, mechanical, or heavy, it may be because you’ve been relating to God as a vending machine or a mechanical system instead of as a Father, Friend, and Lord.

The invitation today is simple and profound:

    • Move from performance to presence.
    • From bargains to trust.
    • From occasionally checking in to continually walking and talking with Him.

God does not just want things from you.
He wants you.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  — James 4:8

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