20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith i

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

In the history of my life, I fathom of how will people go to receive Christ. People go about their lives living in their own desires and ways happily forever- in their own eyes and without the need for Christ. They think of Christianity as just a religious act of craziness, even though they may acknowledge that God does exist. Many lives will be lost without accepting Christ as Savior. But, all the work belongs to God, so it is He who draws us, ministers to us, helps us, dishing out consequences to us.

I have struggled much lately... but only after flourishing with Life. And I question how and why I am living such a fruitless life this week. It is because I am not sowing the right seeds... or any seeds for that matter. Because the Lord renews us daily with His mercy and grace, we too must receive this and sow seeds that are given for that day. I find that when I do not seek the Lord everyday (not sowing seeds), that I begin to struggle with hopelessness. And when I am not sowing the good seeds, I am actually sowing fruitless seeds that lead to destruction. So, I guess I better get back up on to my feet and stand on the foundation that has been provided for me.

I have been a lowly man, living with financial struggles, marriage, unemployment, unable to provide my children with the basic necessities needed to live. That is who I am. That is who I am in the 'flesh'. I am set up as failure on my own. But, as I acknowledge whom I have been and what earthly promise I have- I will continue to be a 'nothing'. And this is the problem when I begin to live on my own.

In actuality, I need to put all my focus on the Lord. So that He can fulfill His Will for me. He tells me that 'He has great plans for my life'. Really. Well, I have been focusing on my own plans for my life, marriage, house, transportation- stressing out in all of the above. He tells me- 'do not worry about tomorrow'. He also tells me that 'He is my provider'. He tells me that 'He loves me'. It is no longer I who live! Well, that is great news for me because I am probably one of the greatest of failing people on earth.

How do I seek His provision, especially if I do not pray or ask for it? How do I find out what His plans are for my life, so I do not have to worry about tomorrow- He is my provider, but only if I can glorify Him. I can say that He has done much pruning in my life; saying that... He has pruned my of everything in my life- just so He could get through to me and my wife- so that I would have nothing but Him left.

it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. I gotta look at this verse and say... here ya go! Its yours. I gotta put my life on the track and push cruise control. Because ya know what??? I wanna truly Live and do what I was designed for- to serve Him. Christ did not come to judge the world, but to serve it. We too must come in the name of Jesus Christ- not to come and judge the world, but to serve it in Christ. We often judge others in our lives in many fashions, and we do it a lot. But, Christ wants us to forgive each others seven X seventy. The greek word for 'forgive' is- let go. LGLG- let go, let God. Only One has redeemed us. Only One has paid the price for our sins. And, only One is worthy of forgiving. Yes, it is tough to give things up and put them at the foot of the cross... and if we don't- what we hold onto is judgement, resentment and bitterness. I can only say this from experience; and I have experienced it many of times.

This world as we live in, CAN be easy to live in... but only if we can truly receive the Love that will not hurt us. And by faith, I receive.

Thank you Lord for all that you do for us. For you forgave and forgive us of all that we do wrong against you, but all too often, we do not even forgive those who trespass us. You pardon us, even as we convict those around us. Forgive me for living is such a wicked way- for that can only come from the adversary... but I want to live according to your provision in my life- for I know that You have great plans for me. And Lord, could You help me to seek those Plans... because I can only do it with Your help. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.