A life sentence!

Have you ever watched a court show on television and heard the judge say these words to the defendant? "you will have a life sentence without the possibility of parole" and then the gavel comes down and the defendant's life is over as they knew it. It can be a very somber moment in the show leaving you thinking there's no hope for that person.

What if we could have a life sentence that we would be glad to receive? A life sentence that would actually add to our life and not subtract from it.

In Romans 5:12 we see that the first person who was created, Adam, had a life sentence that brought death to the whole human race through his choice. What this means is that God gave him the choice to choose from the Life tree to receive eternal life but he chose the fruit of the tree of good and evil, and from that moment on he had no life of God in him.

There is a quote by Christopher Bullock back in 1716 that sums this up well I think:

"Two things we know are certain on this planet - death and taxes!"

Although, we cannot escape either one of these on our own, (at least the death part) we do have a person who has stepped in to our world and made the death sentence a Life sentence.

In Romans 5:17 (King James version) we see this:

17 For if by one man's (Adam) offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

I like the way the Message version of this scripture weaves it out for us to understand a little more clearly -

Romans 5:17 (The Message)

17 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man’s sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God’s gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! There’s no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. If death got the upper hand through one man’s wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, absolute life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?

This is the life sentence that we would all want if we understood that we can reign in life.

When we think about what it means to reign we probably think about royalty. This is exactly where we need to start from. Reigning in life sounds great but how does it come about and truly become a way to experience Christ as our Life?

Have you ever been in a circumstance that is restrictive and feels like your going to have the literal life sucked out of you? I've experienced this in my life and I know the reality of not thinking you could have joy or peace until you're out of it. As we have read this passage of scripture we can understand that circumstances may come and go but through Jesus we can reign or rule over them.

How can this be possible? Let’s look at these ways to reign in our lives -

1. we need to know that we belong to the King of Kings, the ultimate One who reigns. You can't reign if your not in His kingdom.

2. having an attitude of thankfulness and praise to Him in the midst of the trouble.

3. asking Him for guidance and wisdom brings about humility as you go through the situation.

4. waiting on Him to renew you thoughts it is very important! If we have thoughts that don’t bring life, we need to have them changed or renewed.

5. trusting Him with whatever the outcome may be, no matter how long it may go on.

These are just a few life giving ways to expererience our Life sentence in Christ.

We all have things we're going through in our lives, but if we truly know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life we can rest in Him as we walk through those things.

If you are a Christian what this means is that He is the way in and out of what's going on in our lives. Next, He hears and sees all things, so I can turn to Him in prayer and ask Him to show me the truth of what is happening to me and around me. Sometimes, we are not able to see things because of all the hurts and wounds in our lives, but take your situation to Him, discuss it with Him and leave it with Him. He never promised us that we would get out of the situation or problem, but He did say and show us many times in the Bible how He can work in the prisons we feel we’re in. Just go read the story of Joseph in the Old Testament and learn how he was wrongfully accused and then sold by his family and then thrown into circumstances beyond his control. If you keep reading you will see that God was with him the whole time and never left him. I know we can feel so alone in our struggles but do not believe this lie, because as God's children we are never alone, even if everyone leaves you, lies about you or just to put it plainly, they just flat out reject you. We have an opportunity right now to turn our attention towards Him, our wonderful Father. He is wonderful, counselor, peace, He's got it all. Then after all is discussed and left in His hands of protection and care we then remind ourselves continuously that we trust Him!

Today, is a day that can be in a life sentence unto Life not death! Today is "In the hands of the Living God! To know more about this I encourage you to check out the classes I teach on the home page.

Our lives are not to be lived any other way than through the Life of Christ in us. I'm so thankful for His Life Sentence!

Scripture references and encouragement:

Colossians 3:1-3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Genesis 39:20-22

20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,

21 the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.

Psalm 42:2a

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

Enjoy His Life today!

We’re just passing through

My life is a simple one and from the outside looking in it may seem small and very ordinary. My home is 500 square feet, YES! you heard me right and my wardrobe is minimal along with a car that is over 10 years old. In each one of these things I just shared, the main thing that comes to the fore is that these are all just things. But, in the hands of the Almighty God, these things are now apart of a great story of God's provision and faithfulness to me.

Did you know that houses, tents and possessions were a big part of the stories in the Bible? The word "house" is found over 1760 times, along with the word "tent" (I include tents, because people lived in them and didn't just go camping) being found around 235 times and possession is found 130 plus times. You may be asking yourself "so what does that matter to me?" The reason I bring these stats to your attention is because we can learn a lot about ourselves when we see how we value our homes and stuff.

In 2012 I moved out of a 3 bedroom house with a 2 car garage into a room at my daughter and son-in-law's house. You heard me right, I said a room! I put my things into a storage unit and stayed there with them for over a year and helped take care of my granddaughter who had come into the world at just 27 weeks old. I may write more about her in another blog, but needless to say, she is a miracle and at the age of 10 she is thriving and beautiful. So, back to the one room accommodations I had for that year, although it was small, I had all that I needed and was able to be apart of what God was doing there. Shortly after that year I began to think it was time to move back out to my own home again and I knew that I wanted something smaller than I had before and by living the way I did for the year, I actually welcomed the downsize. I had prayed that I would find a one bedroom, one bath home that I could buy, not rent and God provided exactly that. I drove by the little house one day later and saw the for sale sign in the yard exactly 1 block from where I was living. It had been for sale for a while, but I never saw it until I had prayed for it. I have now lived there for 9 years and it has been the best home I've ever lived in for no other reason than God provided it for me. He gets all the glory! He gets all the praise!

In the Bible we read in the book of Joshua about the 12 tribes of Israel and there is an account of how they came to the river Jordan and needed to cross over it to go to their new home called, the Promised Land. 9 1/2 of these tribes went over the river Jordan but 2 1/2 stayed behind because they didn't want to leave their tents and possessions. Without telling the whole story to you, the 2 1/2 tribes valued their tangible stuff more than the provision of God in the new land. Our perspective is so important when it comes to living here on the earth because if things have you then you spend all your time managing things, but if you have things you can hold them with an open hand and be fluid in where and what God has for you.

There is an old song that tells the story of this world not being our home, were just passing through. If you have been a person who grew up living in the same home, going to the local school and church, you may have a hard time seeing this as a place you are passing through. My family moved every couple of years as I grew up and I went to many schools. I learned early on in my life how to let go of things, but what I did have trouble with was letting go of my heart. I guarded it very tightly and didn't let people really know the real me. God used the things of my life to help uncover the wounds of my heart. I thought if I had the house, the car and the stuff that I would be fulfilled, but if you think about it, Jesus was not all about those things. Right out of the womb, he was on the move from the cave, to the house that the wisemen came to, then, they were on the move again from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree. There is another account of Jesus and His family travelling when he was 12 and then we are given details of the moves Jesus experienced starting around the age of 30 for 3 years and he had no house and very little stuff.... but, he was rich in His Father.

As we have arrived at our destination for this new year, may we remember that every "thing" is to be summed up in Jesus from beginning to the end of our time here on the earth.

I leave you with this verse as a reminder that Jesus the Master Carpenter is at work right now preparing for us our true home with Him. Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and not on this temporary place we live, is the truth to The Life worth living.

John 14:1-3 (NKJV)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The door is open, come on in!

Dayna

Statistics and scripture referred to can be found at biblegateway.com

Joshua 3 and 13

Philippians 4:12

I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I Peter 2:11

Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls.

Matthew 2:11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The “In” and “out” of Christianity

I think it is timely that I would begin a Blog here at Open Door Access at the beginning of the Christmas season.  This was not really my plan to launch in 2022, but after I was finished with the content of this blog, I wrote the title out and then decided this would be a great time to launch it.   It all just seemed to make sense.  I hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas everyone!

The In and Out of Christianity

Did you know that Jesus' entry as a babe into the human race was met with…. "sorry there's no room at the Inn"?  Wow!  have you ever felt like this in your life?  I know I have.  Like, wanting to be "in" with the popular kids or "in" a different family or even "in" another place and time.  Well, we are in good company!  Jesus could have said those very things too.  But that was not the "in" that had value to him or to us. 

This year my church spent time going through the book of John in the Bible and I can't tell you how many times I saw that Jesus had an "in" with His Father.  One thing that stood out to me, was that because He was "in" His Father, he walked in full confidence as he faced daily challenges.

Jesus was written about in the Bible by men that were witnesses of His ministry life, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.   In those accounts and others, you will find these two words  "In Christ" over 90 times, which began me pondering how important it must be to know Jesus as the "In".  And even more importantly that I have an in, with Him.  Let me explain....

Recently, I shared at a women's retreat in Colorado about what a newly adopted child can go through after they have left an orphanage.  They get a new name, they get new parents, they get a new home and so on.  But, at first they don't know anything about these new things they possess, all they know is they left one place and entered into another.  For a while they live as an occupant of the house, just like at the orphanage.  They may even look at the new parents no different than the people who were placed over them at the old orphanage.  In the beginning of the new relationship the child may ask questions like...Will they forget me today? Will they feed me today? Will they protect me today?  The child brings their experiences with them from the old life and doesn't know how to live any other way.  The relationship is in place but the identity and security have not been established yet in their mind.  A lot of Christians live this way too!  They got into the family of God, but brought with them their old habits and ways to cope in their lives, not realizing that there is a whole new inheritance they have in Christ.   

So, how does one begin to live the new "In Christ"  life?  Just like this newly adopted little child, it's on the parents to show up, love up, put up and hug up.  Sounds pretty simple but it is indeed the way it works.  

This is what God offered Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis.  He showed up regularly for their walks, to talk, spend time and to let them get to know Him and be loved by Him.    A verse that is dear to me is the one that says He will never leave me nor forsake me, what a wonderful promise from my Father.   So, just like the newly adopted child, I come to know my Father, because He shows up in Christ to be known.  They share themselves with me and teach me and love me through their faithfulness and provision.  Trusting Him moment by moment day after day as He remains faithful to me is the only "in" I'm interested in.  

As far as the "outs" well....there are none! when it comes to the family of God, once "in" always "In" .  I once heard it's like running water through coffee grounds and then trying to take the water back out.  You can't!  You just can't!  They can never be separated!   I've heard other great analogies, but since I'm definitely a coffee gal, I just had to get it in here somewhere.  See, you're getting to know me already. 

In future blogs, I'd like to expound on "in"  more in depth.  This is only the beginning and  I'm looking forward to showing up, spending time and getting to be known as we share in this "in Christ" Life.

There is always room in His In,

So, come on in!

Scripture references:

John 14:20 MSG

18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

Luke 2:7 KJV

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

John 13:5-6 MSG

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help;  I’m fearless no matter what.  Who or what can get to me?

Genesis 3:8a KJV

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:

Romans 5:15 PHILLIPS

But the gift of God through Christ is a very different matter from the “account rendered” through the sin of Adam. For while as a result of one man’s sin death by natural consequence became the common lot of men, it was by the generosity of God, the free giving of the grace of one man Jesus Christ, that the love of God overflowed for the benefit of all men.