Summer Classes Wednesday 6:30
Daily Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus.
The Christian life is not imitation.
It is participation.
God has not called you to imitate Christ as if you were a person detached from Him.
God has called you to participate in Christ as one attached to Him.
1 Corinthians 6:17, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
To join ourselves to the Lord is to merge with Him.
It is merging our mind, emotion, and will with the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17).
This merging is for our mind, emotion, and will to have direct participation in His life, nature, and disposition.
Paul does not mean to imitate Christ’s disposition.
He means to let or allow yourself to merge with Christ’s disposition.
There is a big difference.
To imitate depends on coming up with “the goods” to perform.
To merge is the exact opposite.
It is receiving “the goods” by direct participation in them.
For example, if an actor tries to play the part of a drunk, that is imitation.
However, if he actually drinks wine and feels its effects, that is direct participation.
In Ephesians 5:18 Paul says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
In the same way that there is direct participation in wine, there is direct participation in Christ as the Spirit.
This participation in Christ is for us to live Christ by merging with His disposition.
Paul says in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ.”
This is the one unique goal of all our participation in Christ–to allow Christ to live through you.
Until Tomorrow,
With a Shepherd’s Love
Pastor
…….
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Bill Lawhead
Brandon Black – Tests
Debra Roberts – Much Prayer Needed
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray For Grace
Jeanie & Joanie’s Mom
Joe Johnson – Better
Kelly Raines – Car Accident But not hurt
Liz Knight – Recovering
Marli Page – Galapagos Islands
Marynell Ford – Pray For Guidance
Nancy Fair
Amy Garner’s Mother
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Brandon’s Dad & Grandmother
Barbara Shed’s Family
Bill Moody
Charlie Sessom –Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Denise Stubbs – Kim Allison’s Mom
Donna Gourley
Doug Fritzel
James Garner’s G’Son
Joyceann – James Garner’s Daughter
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lynn – Nancy Brown’s Daughter
Mary Sims
Mary William’s Son – Mike
Michael Stanley
Nancy Brown’s G’Daughter
Nora Allison – Dustin’s Mom
Pastor Stucke– Nikki’s Dad
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Lisa’s Cousin
Sharon Blalock
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmons Cousin
Tom Witcher