Going Forward in Chaos, Part 6
Why Did Christ Come to Earth Series
TO BUILD A BODY OF BELIEVERS
By Bob Benson, President/CEO CCBA
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
PART VI CONTAINS INSIGHTS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR YEAR & LIFE FOREVER
Want to know why Christ is building a Body of believers on earth? The reason may surprise you. This body of believers, the Body of Christ, is the presence of God’s Kingdom on earth. He is preparing to come back and rule on earth.
You really know someone when you spend time with him/her and learn his/her goals, values, and beliefs. The same is true with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you don’t understand why people put their trust in God or what the big deal is with being in His family or going to Heaven.
“Before a man can express the Father’s heart, he must know the Father’s heart”
Mark Willits
To understand why, one must read the Bible and spend time with God and the Lord Jesus to determine Their goals, values, belief, passions, and vision for your future. As you get to know them, you will learn that they want to restore your soul; renew your mind; guide you with knowledge and wisdom; put joy in your heart; give light to your eyes; and bless you in ways that are “more precious than silver and gold.”
PARTS VI and VII will continue to explain the reality of what is going on “under the sun,” as Solomon calls it – and why you need to take it seriously.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? … And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6a & 11 NIV
Brief Recap to Date
Key Building Blocks of Reality that Help You Move on to Maturity
God the Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ love you, have a plan for your life that fits with Their plan, and have total power and authority in Heaven and on earth to set you free and give you the desires of your heart!
Don’t let Satan persuade you to believe you can’t do both your plans and God’s. Your talents, gifts, and personality have been “knit together in your mothers womb” (Psalm 139) to accomplish both!
If you have not read Parts I – V, I recommend you read the Articles at CCBAlliance.org > Resources > Blog. Following is a brief recap. I recommend you read again until it is clear how they help you grow to maturity.
Part I: The Anchor for Your Soul, presented scientific evidence from an astrophysicist in Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Miracles. The evidence concludes that “the Universe had to be created by an intelligent and creative higher power from outside of the Universe.” That higher power is called Jehovah, God the Father in Heaven (God).
Those who believe in Christ are spiritually born again into God’s family and become descendants of Abraham and heirs of the promise that God would bless his descendants. This is a big deal – a very big deal! If you don’t understand these in the depths of your mind and heart, Satan is likely robbing you of the full blessing, purpose, and power of God’s plan. These truths are the sustaining anchor for your soul!
Part II: Jesus Christ, Undercover Boss. Christ came to earth to understand what it’s like to be human and He gave His life on the cross to set us free from sin and provide a path to eternal life. Part II notes that, in the beginning, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered their bodies. “Sin” here is a noun, not a verb, something living in your body. Sin is passed from generation to generation and resulted in a dysfunctional humanity and a world population influenced by Satan and his forces of darkness.
Christ paid the penalty for our sins and provided everything you need to live life on earth and grow to maturity in your spiritual walk. We can experience life as God originally intended – in freedom from the bondage of our sinful nature and from Satan, his forces of darkness, and their power and lies.
If you think Satan is not real or not affecting your life, then you are already in bondage to him. Freedom from our sinful nature and Satan’s power can only come from receiving Christ into your life as Savior and Lord (demonstrated by obeying Him and His teachings).
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12-13
“All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.'”
Deuteronomy 28:2 NIV
Part III: Jesus Christ came to bear witness to the truth and set you free.
“Then Pilate said to Him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’”
John 18:37 ESV
In Strong’s Concordance, the meaning of alétheia (truth) is summarized: “In ancient Greek culture, 225 (alḗtheia) was synonymous for “reality“ as the opposite of illusion, i.e. fact.” Christ came to define reality and the Bible instructs us to renew our minds with truth (reality).
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth [reality], and the truth [reality] will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 NIV
Part IV: Jesus Christ came to give you a New Nature.
You don’t have to live as a captive to the sinful nature. Christ came to give you a new nature. When you invite Christ into your life, you receive(d) that “new nature,” and you become a “new creation in Christ.” However, you need to learn how to live in the new nature and stop being controlled by the old sinful nature. Allowing Christ to be your Lord and live in you daily keeps the old nature dead.
Ephesians 4:20-24 NIV
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self [old nature], which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self [the new nature], created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Part V: Jesus Christ came to Set the Captives Free. You don’t have to live feeling like you are in captivity to addiction, fear, lust, some unknown power, etc. (“the things I want to do, I don’t do and the things I don’t want to do, I do”). Who is a captive?
You are, unless Christ has set you free, and you know how to be led by God’s Spirit and His power. Christ lived on earth, and Hebrews 2 says, “He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become…merciful…” Therefore, Christ’s teachings are practical and “He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Following are three general ways one can be held captive. Several specific ways are in the Part V article at www.CCBAllance.org > Resources > Blog
1) The Sin Nature (Sin that lives in you as a result of the fall of mankind). See the recap above. Only Christ can set you free from sin and keep you free.
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now, a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:31-35 NIV
The Bible says sinning (actions that disobey God’s Commands) are punishable by physical and spiritual death. That’s why Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and mine.
2) The influence of Satan and his forces of evil. They are masters at mixing truth and lies to lead you astray. Read my comment near the end of this article and Ephesians 6:10-18.
“A thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.”
John 10:10 NIRV
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3) The influence of the world we live in. The world is currently under the control of Satan’s lies and power. Many lies have been programmed into the world’s system and into your mind since the day you were born.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 NIV
What are you going to do with these game-changing realities?
PART VI
CHRIST CAME TO BUILD UP A BODY OF BELIEVERS
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18b SEV
The following is from a blog by The Calendar of Scripture:
“An interesting quote from the 1915 ‘Gospel Advocate’ (Pg. 589) says: ‘The word “Church” is really not a translation of any word that was used by either Christ or His Apostles, but is the Anglican form of a different word which Roman Catholicism substituted in place of the word used by Christ and His Apostles… It is in our English scriptures by order of King James, who instructed his translators of 1611 not to translate the word “Ecclesia” by either “Congregation” or “Assembly” but to use the word “Church” instead of a translation.’
“The word ‘Church’ is neither Hebrew nor Greek. In point of fact, when these languages were translated into English Bibles, the word ‘Church’ was already in existence. The Greek word used in the renewed covenant for ‘Church’ is ‘Ekklesia’ which basically means ‘Called Out ones’. Ekklesia does not refer to a building, but rather a group of people. Proper English translations should read: Congregation, Assembly or Group. Strangely in Acts 19:32, 39 and 41, Ekklesia is the word that is translated as ‘Assembly’, but in other passages, it is translated as ‘Church.’”
Taken in context, it appears that the real meaning of Jesus’ words is, “I’m going to build a body of believers and that body, the body of Christ,” with Christ as the head, will be an offensive weapon that will overcome the gates of Satan; the gates of Hell and then ultimately, Christ will come back to rule on earth. In the meantime, the body of Christ is to grow in size and maturity in preparation for His return.”
Now, there’s a two-fold meaning here: 1) Certainly to Christ, and His death and resurrection, Satan and death are overcome and people can overcome Satan by putting on the full armor of God (I will explain how in Part VII); and 2) The Body of Christ (His believers), is the presence of Christ and the God’s Kingdom on earth. When His Body is built up, the believers (dead and alive) will come with Christ (read the book of Revelations) to take back the current rule over the earth from Satan. Satan will not be able to stop Christ’s plan. Who is a Believer? It may not be what you think.
What is the Body of Christ?
Key Realities
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 1:22-23 22
Why is Christ building a body of believers? To accomplish His vision and plan.
The Body of Christ is composed of believers in Christ, those who obey Him. To us, it is somewhat of a mystery, a functioning organism being built up to accomplish Christ’s mission to redeem mankind and creation, overcome Satan, and return the rule of earth to God the Father, through Christ. Following is how Christ describes the body in John 15.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15: 5-12
One Body, Many Gifts and Parts
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. … It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gifts each person should have.
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts form one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
“If the foot says, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’
“Some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.
“This makes for harmony among the members so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad…
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it…”
1 Corinthians 12 NLT
What is Christ’s Vision & Plan?
Christ’s vision and plan are to build His Church, the body of Christ, and then he will return with “the armies of heaven” to overcome the nations and the forces of evil on earth. After that, Christ will rule over the earth for 1,000 years.
Then Heaven and Earth will be restored and rebuilt.
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:11-16
“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. … I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. I also saw those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:1-6
“‘Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new.’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty, I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.'”
Revelation 21:1-6
How Does an Individual Overcome Satan?
“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.'”
Zechariah 4:6
A) The following is from Barnes Commentary on Revelation 12:11, concerning the three primary ways believers can overcome Satan and his forces.
1. “By the blood of the Lamb – The Lord Jesus – the Lamb of God. … The blood of Christ was that by which they were redeemed, and it was in virtue of the efficacy of the atonement that they were enabled to achieve victory. Christ himself achieved victory over Satan by his death (see Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15), and it is in virtue of the victory which he thus achieved that we are now able to triumph over our great foe.
2. “And by the word of their testimony – The faithful testimony, which they bore to the truth. That is, they adhered to the truth in their sufferings, they declared their belief in the truth, even in the pains of martyrdom; and it was by this that they overcame the great enemy. [Note: The “Sword of the Spirit,” (using Scriptural truth as an offensive weapon) in Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He used Scripture as a weapon. Satan, knowing the power of God, finally left Him.
“The Bible instructs us to also use Scripture as a weapon. Anytime you use the word of God with love in witnessing, testimonies, or defense, your words are anointed with power.]
3. “They loved not their lives so much as to shrink from death – They did not love their lives so much that they were unwilling to die as martyrs. They did not shrink back when threatened with death, but remained firm in their attachment to their Savior, and left their dying testimony to the truth and power… It was by these means that Christianity was established in the world, and John, in the scene before us, saw it thus triumphant, and saw the angels and the redeemed in heaven celebrating the triumph.”
(B) By the Work and Power of Jesus Christ!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'”
Matthew 28:18
“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Acts 2:36 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:6-8 NIV
(C) By the full armor of God!
Putting on the Armor of God is about learning to have faith in God and trust in His power to fight the battles with Satan and his forces. PART VII will explain the pieces of armor and how to use them.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…”
Ephesians 6:10-14 NIV
How Does The Body of Christ Overcome Satan?
“I ask them whence their victory came.
They, with united breath,
Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,
Their triumph to his death.”
From John Wesley’s Collection of Hymns
In short, we are to work together as one Body working in unity and using the Armor of God to help and support each other. That is what Christ prayed for and expects.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:20-23
How Can an Individual Support Christ with His Vision and Plan?
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20
A) Every Christian can and is expected to help Him in some way. One can do that by following His teaching, sharing His truth, and giving credit to Him and God the Father for our success. We can do it at home, with neighbors and friends, and at work. We can be “light and salt” wherever we are. How Important is this commissioning to Christ?
“And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
B) Stay focused on God’s purpose for you and rest assured that whatever it is, it is integrated with His purpose. Renew your mind with Christ’s truth by reading the Bible and applying it in your decisions and actions.
“Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2b
C) Stay focused on the honor of assisting Christ with His important mission. Live an integrated life. We do not have two lives, one secular and one spiritual. We have one life and the Bible makes it clear it is integrated.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 24:36-51
How Can the Body of Christ Support Christ with His Vision and Plan?
A. In short, there are no competitors! When I was trying to start what is now CCBA, several marketplace leaders accused me of starting up a competitor.
There are no competitors except Satan, who comes only to “kill, steal, and destroy.” Every para-church ministry I have talked to tells me that it is really difficult to get churches to help them or work together. However, some churches do help and also work together in the community with other churches.
Church, para-church, or an individual with a calling to be salt and light in the world right where he/she is in the community, are all part of the same Body of Christ. To God be the glory!
We are to be one Body working together in unity. That is what Christ prayed for and expects.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.
“Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.“
John 17:20-23
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.
“He is the head over every power and authority”
Colossians 2:2-10
B) Stay focused on God’s purpose for the Body in His mission.
C) Ask the “Spirit of Truth” to counsel and guide you and the Body of Christ to the truth. To help you, Christ has sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth to guide and teach us the truth (reality). Ask him for help and be persistent. Be patient. Sometimes it takes a while.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:16-17, 15:25-27 NIV
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine.”
John 16:13-15 NIV
D) Love one Another as Christ loved you.
E) “Hold to” [follow] Christ’s teachings. Trust Him and obey His commandments. You can’t win the battle with the old nature, Satan, and the world through your own power!
You win it with God’s power!
“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.'”
Zechariah 4:6 NIV
F) Pray! Not only for yourself and those close to you. Pray for all your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world – The Body of Christ. Prayer is simply talking to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Do it anytime during the day when you want to give God the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ thanks, you need their help, or you would like their advice.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:18
Closing Thought
God’s plan & purpose for you fit together with His. Seek Him.
Action Plan
Be Intentional About Living in Christ, Seeking the Truth and Applying it.
At the very moment you invite Christ into your life, five very significant changes happen. And they are all, to put it in the vernacular, a big deal!
- You are born into God’s family and you become one of His children!
- Christ enters your life and dwells in you through God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
- Your old sinful nature dies on the cross with Jesus, and you receive a new nature, made in the image of God. Your new nature has no “sin” living in it!
- You become a descendant of Abraham and an heir of the promise God made to bless him and his descendants!
- You have access to powerful spiritual weapons to grow to maturity and defeat Satan and his forces of darkness. You will need them because Satan is at war with Christ (which includes His Body on earth). Don’t worry, just learn how to use spiritual weapons.
Like anything new, learning how to live in the new creation is a process, not an event. But do not be discouraged, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, will guide you and direct your steps.
When you sin, Satan will accuse you of failing to discourage you. Just rebuke him and ask God for forgiveness. Then ask Christ to help you each day. God the Father, the Lord Christ and the Holy Spirit are all “with you and helping you.”
Eventually, the battle with your old nature and Satan will reduce greatly and you will find yourself living primarily in the new nature.
Some may be asking, “how do I receive Christ into my life?” You can easily do it by praying. Follow this example. Begin by being honest with Jesus Christ and pray about what’s troubling your heart. Admit to Him that you have sinned against God and His law (the ten commandments). Thank Him for dying on the cross as payment for your sins and invite Him into your life as your Savior. Receive him as the Lord of your life. Ask him to direct your steps and to give you guidance, wisdom, and knowledge. Pray about anything else that is on your mind. Then read the Bible, asking Him and the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth. Follow His teaching. If you have not already done so, start with reading the New Testament.
BONUS SECTION
The 15 Dynamics of Building a Cash Cow
The Financial Plan
“Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.”
Proverbs 24:3-4 LB
Create a Business Financial Plan: Most small businesses don’t have a budget. Prepared and used properly, the budget is A Business Financial Plan to help focus your management team in accomplishing your strategies, goals, and objectives.
Everything you do in business requires money to accomplish. It is a tool to help you succeed, not a weapon to control people. I recommend you don’t call it a budget. Please refer to it as The Business Financial Plan.
Like the Business Action Plan, it keeps the team focused on the action steps to accomplish the financial goals and outcomes monthly, quarterly, and annually. To minimize the control of the outcomes you are looking for, it is wise to share the financial success of the company by bonusing your team based on the results. Everyone enjoys sharing in the rewards of winning!
“Without a goal, you can’t score.”
Plato
THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND BLESS YOU!
