You Are His
Dependence on Him equals ABUNDANT LIFE.
“What a wretched man I am (Romans 7:24, NIV)!”
There are a few sides to the coin for the modern-day Christian. One side of the coin is that there are Christians who acknowledge they are sinful, disgusting, and nasty and remain there… in shame. This is not a fun way to live. The other side of the coin is the Christian who believes they have Christ but continues to sin over and over again. Then you have newbies observing these behaviors and seeing these Christians in church or on social media and wondering, “Where the heck do I choose to live?”
First, I want to observe that comparison kills. Second, let me help you understand where we, as believers, need to live.
In the verse above, Paul acknowledges what Jesus concluded in John 15:5: without abiding in Jesus, you can do nothing. Why? Because of the sin he lives with. So, here are a few things to remember about our sinfulness in your daily walk as a believer:
Humility
Recognize your inability to save yourself. Something I do, when I wake up, is to sit on the edge of my bed, with my palms facing skyward, and say: “I give up my right to have my way” — don’t react to the world; surrender to God — and “You have everything I need for today” — daily bread and living for today.
Dependence on God
This reminds us that we need Jesus daily and cannot walk in victory through our strength—ever! Yep, sorry to tell you. Another habit He has taught me is to label my notes on my phone with titles such as ‘God’s SOAPS,’ ‘God’s School,’ or ‘God’s Affirmation.’ You get the picture. Basically, I use anything, including passwords, to include the name of Jesus or God as a subconscious reminder that, without dependence on God, I would not see, love, or shepherd what I have.
I always remind my kids and friends that our house is God’s first. We are just shepherds. Does this make you less of an owner? No! It makes you a proactive, eternal steward of what He has blessed you with, and it subconsciously demands that you depend on God to steward it appropriately. I have three children, but they are God’s first! With this acknowledgment, I have been more and more equipped by Him!
Gratitude
Understanding our sinfulness deepens our appreciation for God’s grace. God has taught me to write down three things I am thankful for first thing in the morning. This exercise has dramatically shifted my eyes from focusing on lack to focusing on abundance.
Never Finished Challenge
Put your headphones next to your bed unless you are struggling with looking at your phone: social media, news, etc. If you struggle with that, don’t let your phone wake you up—buy an alarm clock.
Wake up, put your headphones on, and turn on worship music or scripture.
Then, with your palms facing skyward, say: “I give up my right to have my way” — don’t react to the world; surrender to God — and “You have everything I need for today” — daily bread and living for today.
Label, remind yourself, and speak out that you are a shepherd, and it is all God’s, and that you depend on God to help you shepherd. Remember, every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17, NIV).
Write down three things you are thankful for every morning. If you are struggling with that, here is an example I’ve used recently because I am in a season of high-pressure transition: “God, thank you for divine appointments.”
What does this morning reading tell me about my God?
Divine intimate Relationship… It tells me God desires a relationship, and in the process, profound transformation happens to me and everyone around me. Living in three different homes as a child, I find being chosen by God both unexplainable and eternally transformative. I am chosen; if you are in Christ, so are you! Thank you, Jesus (😭)!