Micca Monda Campbell
“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” I Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
For a long time I was confused about the Christian life. After I trusted Christ to be my personal Savior, life didn’t change as I had hoped.
At first, I was filled with genuine joy and passion. I couldn’t get enough of God and His Word. I prayed a lot, attended church a lot, shared my faith a lot, and spent a lot of time reading my Bible. But somewhere along the way, I grew weary. My attempt to live the Christian life in my own strength quickly gave out. Why didn’t it last? I wondered.
I’m not alone in my struggles. Many believers I meet are just as confused as I was. Guilt ridden, some give up while others choose to just pretend. Then, there are those that still desire but question, “Is a changed life even possible? If so, why isn’t it a reality in my life?” It’s often why we came to Christ in the first place – for freedom, forgiveness, peace, and purpose. Yet, instead of living an empowered life, many of us are living an exhausting one.
I could sense there was something more, but I couldn’t put my finger on what was missing. Discouraged, I’d speculate…Could it be that God isn’t holding up His end of the agreement? Or, is it me? Maybe you’ve asked yourself the same questions.
It took a long while before I realized that the Christian life isn’t about following a bunch of rules. It’s not even about trying my best to be good. The Christian life is all about relationship. It’s about knowing and loving the God who already knows and loves us. It’s about being a friend of God. This changes everything.
Friendship requires commitment. The same is true in our companionship with the Lord. We often neglect vital portions of our relationship with Him. Sometimes that neglect is due to a lack of understanding in how to commune with Him. Other times it is sin or apathy in our lives causing us to overlook our need to fellowship with God.
In order to stay passionate about our faith, and live an empowered life free from sin, you and I must participate in our friendship with God by:
1.) Abiding in Christ. (John 15:4, NIV)
2.) Praying daily. (Mark 1:35, NIV)
3.) Meditating on God’s Word. (Joshua 1:8, NIV)
4.) Putting off the old and putting on the new. (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)
5.) Being continually filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)
6.) Exercising God-given gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV)
7.) Actively sharing the gospel with others. (Mark 16:15, NIV)
Which of these areas are you lacking in? Could that be the key to jump-starting your empowered-by-the-Spirit life?
The Christian life is real, satisfying, and available to all who are willing to have an on-going daily relationship with the Lord. Once I came to understand my role and participate in the relationship, I found the empowered life I was looking for. I’m convinced you can too.
Dear Lord, I have neglected my relationship with You. Forgive me. Lord, I want to know You and Your ways. Reveal Yourself and Your power in my life as I commit to uphold my friendship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio
Visit Micca Campbell’s blog for more in-depth information on living out steps 1-7.
Application Steps:
Look again at steps 1-7 above … what is missing from your daily routine? Implement those things and watch your relationship with God come alive.
Reflections:
How has your life changed since you came to Christ?
Would you describe your Christian life as an empowered one or an exhausted one? Explain.
What areas of your relationship with God have you neglected lately? What do you plan to do about it?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 13:14, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (NIV)
John 10:10b, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have life more abundantly.” (KJV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” I Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
For a long time I was confused about the Christian life. After I trusted Christ to be my personal Savior, life didn’t change as I had hoped.
At first, I was filled with genuine joy and passion. I couldn’t get enough of God and His Word. I prayed a lot, attended church a lot, shared my faith a lot, and spent a lot of time reading my Bible. But somewhere along the way, I grew weary. My attempt to live the Christian life in my own strength quickly gave out. Why didn’t it last? I wondered.
I’m not alone in my struggles. Many believers I meet are just as confused as I was. Guilt ridden, some give up while others choose to just pretend. Then, there are those that still desire but question, “Is a changed life even possible? If so, why isn’t it a reality in my life?” It’s often why we came to Christ in the first place – for freedom, forgiveness, peace, and purpose. Yet, instead of living an empowered life, many of us are living an exhausting one.
I could sense there was something more, but I couldn’t put my finger on what was missing. Discouraged, I’d speculate…Could it be that God isn’t holding up His end of the agreement? Or, is it me? Maybe you’ve asked yourself the same questions.
It took a long while before I realized that the Christian life isn’t about following a bunch of rules. It’s not even about trying my best to be good. The Christian life is all about relationship. It’s about knowing and loving the God who already knows and loves us. It’s about being a friend of God. This changes everything.
Friendship requires commitment. The same is true in our companionship with the Lord. We often neglect vital portions of our relationship with Him. Sometimes that neglect is due to a lack of understanding in how to commune with Him. Other times it is sin or apathy in our lives causing us to overlook our need to fellowship with God.
In order to stay passionate about our faith, and live an empowered life free from sin, you and I must participate in our friendship with God by:
1.) Abiding in Christ. (John 15:4, NIV)
2.) Praying daily. (Mark 1:35, NIV)
3.) Meditating on God’s Word. (Joshua 1:8, NIV)
4.) Putting off the old and putting on the new. (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)
5.) Being continually filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)
6.) Exercising God-given gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV)
7.) Actively sharing the gospel with others. (Mark 16:15, NIV)
Which of these areas are you lacking in? Could that be the key to jump-starting your empowered-by-the-Spirit life?
The Christian life is real, satisfying, and available to all who are willing to have an on-going daily relationship with the Lord. Once I came to understand my role and participate in the relationship, I found the empowered life I was looking for. I’m convinced you can too.
Dear Lord, I have neglected my relationship with You. Forgive me. Lord, I want to know You and Your ways. Reveal Yourself and Your power in my life as I commit to uphold my friendship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio
Visit Micca Campbell’s blog for more in-depth information on living out steps 1-7.
Application Steps:
Look again at steps 1-7 above … what is missing from your daily routine? Implement those things and watch your relationship with God come alive.
Reflections:
How has your life changed since you came to Christ?
Would you describe your Christian life as an empowered one or an exhausted one? Explain.
What areas of your relationship with God have you neglected lately? What do you plan to do about it?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 13:14, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (NIV)
John 10:10b, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have life more abundantly.” (KJV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Labels: Relationships, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God, Walking in Faith
4 Comments:
Thank you Micca---My life has been one of exhaustion not excitement--I realized I have been neglecting vital ingredients in my relationship with Jesus. I am doing alot of baking --the thought came to my mind-- I know how I want this recipe to turn out and I have all the ingredients but if I don't put it together right or use ALL the things necessary for good bread and READ AND FOLLOW the instructions-the plan will fail and it will taste terrible--WOW--I have the manual of GOD around me all the time - all I have to do is read and follow the instructions!!!!
Thanks Micca for this timely devotion. I was just praying that The LORD would reveal any sin that is hindering my relationship with HIM and this devotion reminded me that I must spend more quality time with HIM as my friend and THEN I will feel closer to HIM. It just seems things, kids, etc. get in the way of spending quality time with my LORD. Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement and may GOD bless you and your ministry!
Thankyou Micca for reminding me once again what it's really all about... Relationship, His Spirit, His love in me. I'm a new Christian that has relapses into legalism :( Praise God that i don't have to stay there and feel guilty/shameful. Christ died to set me free!!!
Thank you! This post was so timely. I have been straying in my walk and I felt like God was explaining to me exactly how to come back to him directly through your words.
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