Practice, Practice, Practice

As I looked around my deck with all the different colors of new flowers and bright green leaves popping out on the trees, I could not help but think that Spring is in the air. I love seeing new life emerge and the change and adventure that it brings. Like anything new, you have to practice to figure what works and what does not but the key is to not get frustrated and keep practicing on the new way of life.

Our spiritual life is the same way. When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we get a brand new life in Christ. The problem I see with myself and with others, is we need to think differently about ourselves and practice our new life God has given. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (NIV) This passage does not mean we walk around in a holy cloud all day thinking about heaven; however, I feel it does mean we need to constantly train ourselves to think differently and act differently in life situations. If we are going to change our actions, we first need to change our thinking to practice the new life God has given us. The more our actions change and we walk in righteousness, peace, kindness and joy, then others will see the new life that is hidden in our hearts.

Colossians 3: 9 states, “Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (NIV) In this passage we are told that we have a new life and are reminded that being dishonest, the old life, is gone. We are also instructed to practice putting on the new way of living, Christ’s way, of telling the truth. Scripture tells us that Jesus was full of grace and truth. His design for our life is that we are like Him, and full of truth also. Again, practice makes perfect. 

The problem I see is we often work on cleaning up the old life instead of just practicing the new. Instead of working on not lying, we just need to keep practicing telling the truth.   

Instead of working on an anxiety problem, we need to practice walking in peace, keeping our heart settled, reminding ourselves of the truth that God is with us will walk us through any situation. (Psalms 73:23) Instead of working on an anger issue, practice choosing to forgive and asking God to change our heart. Anger’s root is often linked to either fear or unforgiveness because we have been. The greater the hurt, the more we have to practice forgiving.

One of the ways I practice my new life in Christ, is by asking God to help me see the circumstance the way He does. Our thinking needs to change first. Our actions follow our thinking. Another way I practice is reminding myself I am walking in newness of life. Sometimes I have to even preach to myself and say out loud, “I am walking in newness of life.” Reading the Bible, our manuel for our new life in Christ, will show us all God has provided for us in our new life and encourage us. God has dealt with your sin on the cross, not still holding your past against you and He is standing right there, ready to hold your hand and help you discover the new life He has provided.

All of life’s circumstances are designed to work for us to change us into the image of God if we cooperate with Him. Bad things happen to good people; nevertheless, those circumstances will be opportunities to practice our new life in Christ.

Will you join me in practicing your new life? Do not get discouraged when you fall. Get up and keep practicing, today, tomorrow and the next day. If we do, you and I will become more like Him. 

New life in our family- Truett Payne, Rob and Pops

Overcoming And Easter

Overcoming and Easter-What Do They Have in Common?

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

April 2014

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Have you ever thought of how people in heaven see you and how God sees you in situations?  A few years ago, I felt God challenging me with this question as I found myself in the middle of great loss and feeling weaker than I had ever felt in my life.  

My view of the situation and my sudden single life was not positive, to say the least.  It seemed to me all my dreams of what I thought life would be in this season were washed away.  I realized if I continued seeing my life in a negative light it would lead me down a path I really did not want to go down.  So I began to ask God how He, and the rest of heaven saw me and my life.  He took me to I John 5:4 which states, “whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  Who is he who overcomes the world but he who believes Jesus is the son of God.”  That scripture states that as children of God, overcoming power resides in us to overcome any situation we face. 

Jesus overcame the grave and conquered death. He rose above his circumstances. The definition of overcoming is: to get the better of, to get the victory over.  I felt God say, “Kathleen, I see you as an over comer.  You have my power within you to overcome the heartache you feel.  You have a God given right to get the better of this situation and make a profit from it.”  I had to admit that was not exactly how I saw my situation and ask God to change my thinking to see myself as an over comer.  I knew that only God can heal my heart, and I also knew I had choices.

John 16:32 says, “In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(NIV)  The word for tribulation here is translated as pressure.  Yes, this world brings plenty of pressure! Jesus says we will have trouble in this world but not to stress about it because His power in us will help us to make a profit from any trouble. God is too good to let us encounter problems without providing the provision for us.  What I have discovered is life is more about finding the provision in tribulation instead of fixing the problem.  

I John 4:4 says, “You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  Nothing is greater than the power of God in us to overcome in any situation.  You and I never have to settle for defeat.  The power to overcome is more powerful than any force that comes against us!  Now that is good news!

Jesus overcame the grave, he is an over comer, and we are made in His image; therefore, overcoming power resides in us. Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to us and part of the new life he gives to us.

This Easter is your new beginning. Begin today by asking Jesus to come into your heart and open your eyes to the overcoming power that is in you. If you know Christ, I challenge you to daily ask God to show you situations through his eyes and wear your overcoming clothes. You are not a victim, you are an overcomer.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie, a native of the Hill Country, is passionate about helping others discover their value and worth. She can be contacted at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com

Breaking Ground - New Hill Country Transition Center

Sometimes we work and work on something and feel it will never be finished.  We just go through the motions and then one day, we actually see some progress! I've been working on a capital campaign for BCFS Health and Human Services for two years and April 4th was our official groundbreaking. The event was attended by 75 community members, city councilmen, mayor, It has been fun watching God pull this all together. He is so faithful! I am still raising funds for the furniture. The building will be located at 1105 East Main St. Kerrville, TX The building is due to be finished early in 2015.

After two years of raising funds, the groundbreaking for our new building was April 4

 The event was honored to have 75 in attendance