Farewell to Blogger - Hello to Self Hosted WordPress!

I have been using Blogger since 2008 and it has been a great place to post. However, we have now integrated the blog into the main website and would love for you to drop by and sign up for blog updates, devotionals, etc... I will share posts on blogger here and there, but will be phasing out of this blog.

All the archived blogs that are on blogger are there as well, so you wont miss a thing.

Come check it out at www.dailyinchrist.net

As many of you know, I have changed the name from "Daily In Christ Devotionals" to "Living Daily In Christ."

Hope you'll come by and join us!

Blessings,
Keith

Walking By Faith ~ Our Latest Update

Greetings friends,

Since Lori and I have returned home from Uganda we have been fairly quiet about future plans. Not because we don’t want to share them with everyone, rather, because we don’t even know them fully ourselves. Often in life we believe God is doing one thing simply to find out He is doing quite another. We believe that’s the case with our lives as well. It is a time where we can’t see the entire picture clearly. Rather, He is giving us snippets to keep us going and all the while encouraging and deepening our trust and faith in Him. It is a time of stretching, bending, pruning, and growing. I use the phrase, “we are in a time of nervous excitement.”

To read the rest of our update...
http://www.dailyinchrist.net/dailybible/?p=295

Killing Sin Means Living In Christ

Col 3:1-2  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  

(2)  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

As I study through the book of Colossians I can't help but think of my early Christian life. Back when I believed that my efforts would get me in right standing with God and if I just tried harder to look like my life was in order I would be a good Christian. Coming to these verses in Chapter three I think about how easy it is to think it is all about trying harder. And nothing could be further from the truth. 

As one reads down through the chapter, there are a lot of don'ts. Or as the Apostle Paul states, "put to death." Being a Christian and killing sin is serious business. In our culture today the talk of the blood of the cross, killing sin, or putting ones self to death is offensive and often not discussed. Not only does Paul use such harsh language toward sin, but Jesus does as well. In Matthew he tells us to poke out our eye or cut off our arm if they cause us to sin. He warns people that they will be accursed and spend eternity in hell if they live as if they are Christians but are only doing it for any other reason than to bring glory to Christ.

Killing sin in our life is one of the central themes in the Bible. It is what separates us from the Father and thankfully Jesus gave us way to be forgiven by being killed for our sin. And not only did he take the punishment of death on our behalf, he was raised again on the third day. And that's where we see Paul taking us in the start of this chapter.

If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things of Christ. Set your mind on the pursuit of godly things not carnal things. As you read through this chapter and see all the sins we are to put to death it can be overwhelming. "How am I supposed to do all that?" you may ask as I have many times in my life. Put to death all that is earthly, sexual immorality, passions, evil desires, slander, anger, malice and on and on. And then to top it off Paul lets us know what to do instead. We are to have compassion, kindness, patience, meekness, love for one another and so on. As I walked as a new believer I was exhausted trying to keep this list of do's and don'ts. Until I discovered a true understanding of this chapter.

The first part of verse 16 is like the key to the kingdom here. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." Putting to death sin in our life is not about trying harder to kill it, it is about spending time with the One who already conquered sin at the cross. Paul instructs us that the key to Col 3:1-15 is to abide in the word of Christ. Then he tells us that whatever we do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As I meditate on these verses I can't help but realize that it is about being in Christ and not about doing for Christ. The killing of sin and the putting on of righteousness comes from abidance, not from obedience. Yes, we are to obey the Word, but that comes through our abiding in Christ. Jesus tells us that apart from Him we can do nothing. That includes putting to death the sin in our life. God provided the law to the Jews for 1500 years to show them that putting to death the sin in their life was not possible simply by the act of their own will, rather, they needed a Messiah. 

Are you struggling with putting to death sin in your life today? Is it a challenge to live righteous before God? I encourage you to stop trying so hard and start abiding in the Word of Christ. As you abide in Him the things of your life that hinder your walk will be replaced by the fruit the Spirit came to bring. Of course we need to repent and turn from our sin, but the power to do that does not come from willpower, but Holy Spirit power! I trust today that He will do a great thing in you as you turn to Him for all things. Set your heart and your mind on the things of Christ and you will see His power take hold of your life.

Blessings,

Keith

The Fruit of Discipleship ~ To Abide

Joh 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
(32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

For years as a young Christian I believed that in order to be a good Christian I needed to bear fruit. I would try very hard to produce lasting fruit and would get burned out, tired of trying, and eventually give up all together. Only to get some rest and try all over again. I was bound by the expectation that I was supposed to make disciples, live a good clean life, stop sinning etc. It made for a very challenging Christian walk... It was all about me performing in such a way that I pleased God and he would then be accepting of me. When I found myself returning to habitual sins I would try to cover them up. "Good Christians wouldn't do such a thing so I better not let anyone know," I would think to myself. Until one day I finally had enough.

So, what changed? I heard a message of grace. I learned that Christ came to set me free from performance Christianity and called me to rest in Him. To simply abide... So I did just that. Rather than trying to do good works for God, I simply began to rest in Christ. I poured over His Word and discovered so many wonderful truths that brought me peace and comfort in my walk with Him.

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

I discovered that the fruit of discipleship came from my abiding in Him, not my doing good works for Him.  What I did for Christ came from my love for Him and my abidance in His word, not through good works or my own effort.

Today and every day I long for His Word. To simply rest in Him and find freedom from the sin that entangles us. To know that He is the one who produces fruit in my life. Apart from Christ I can do nothing. But when I abide in Christ I can do all He has called me to do. When I came to the understanding that a branch can not bear fruit on its own I was finally set free from the burden I placed on myself to be a good Christian and do a lot of good things for God.

If you can relate to this post, then today I encourage you to quit trying so hard... to stop performing for Christ and simply rest in Him.

Be Blessed,
Keith

Proclaim The Gospel

Mar 16:15  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Mat 28:19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

As I read through the Gospel of Mark and come to the Great Commission, I can't help but wonder what Jesus was saying to His disciples. We here messages often from the Gospel of Mark and Matthew regarding the command by Jesus, and the first thing that we hear is... "Go!" We are told by the preacher that Jesus commands us to go. Get up and get going... Make a move toward missions here and share the Gospel as you go. And that seems partly fitting, and it is important,  but is it the most important?

If we really look closely at the words Jesus spoke we might just see something else here. Something that is as important, or maybe even more important than, "Go." It is the word "proclaim." Proclaim the Gospel, the glad tidings, the great news of Jesus. Since I'm just a regular guy and have a basic understanding of words and sentences, it takes me a bit of an effort to see some of the nuances in the scriptures. I scratch my head trying to hear what God is speaking to me and once in awhile I have that "a-ha" moment. So as I studied this recently, that moment came.

The word "go" is not the imperative... The word "preach" is. Just as in Matthew 28 the word "disciple" is the imperative. So if we take the two verses and single out the imperatives from the participles we get the command to "proclaim" or "disciple." Not the command to go...

So, rather than thinking of this verse as missional (which it is as well) we realize the imperative is to make disciples. Whew! Now that I got that cleared up it makes perfect sense.

So here's my take on Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19...

We are commanded to make disciples of the nations. The command to make disciples can be in our neighborhood, workplace, families, or wherever we are every day. The command isn't to go, that is the means to an end. It isn't exclusive to those who go over seas as missionaries or pastors or teachers. It is for simple people like you and me. Right where you are at today you have the opportunity to fulfill the great commission. All you have to do is step out in faith and make disciples... so go!

Have a blessed day!
Keith

Is The Good Life Enough?

Lori and I are in the preparation time for missions work in Uganda. We will be downsizing as we prepare to move to a place that will be completely foreign to both of us. New sights, smells, and adventures will be the normal part of every day living as we step out in faith and follow the lead of Christ.

As I prepare myself during my daily studies of the Word, I keep coming back to one question.

"Is living the good life enough?"

That question can have many meanings, but there are two specifically that are in my thoughts. The first one has to do with material things. Here in America, specifically the beautiful state of Oregon, we have many good things. Lori and I have great jobs that provide handsomely for our needs. We have health benefits, good income, great opportunities. So from the standpoint of work... we live the good life. We have the ability to travel the state and all around the nation and marvel at the beauty of creation. We can hike, bike, ski, surf, sight see... you name it, this area we live in is beautiful. We live the good life when it comes to recreation. And as far as relationships go, we have amazing friends and family. We fellowship at our local church with great people. We have connections there that will last our entire lifetime and into eternity. We have kids and extended family that we love and cherish the relationships we have with them. When it comes to relationships with people, we live the good life. But is that enough?

The second thought I have has little to do with the good life for me materially, but how I live my life as others see it. Is how I live my life in the lens of other people enough? I have heard it many times said, (and I have said it much myself) "Oh, they know I am a Christian... and if I live a good life in front of them, then that is enough."

I am discovering that this response to my faith in Christ, for me, is a real cop out. It is a way to not face the challenges that come from sharing my faith in Christ and "hoping" that people will see my life and that is enough. My thought process in my head goes something like this.

God: Keith, I want you to share the Gospel with your neighbor.
Me: I don't really need to share the Gospel. I live a good life, they will see the difference.
God: This person is going through some real challenges right now, they need to hear about the hope they have in Christ.
Me: All I need to tell them is I go to church. Maybe they will want to go with me and then they will see how awesome it is and they will get saved.
God: How will they hear if no one tells them?
Me: I don't cuss, I don't drink, and I don't sleep around. That is enough for them to see Christ in me.
God: I have asked you to share my love with everyone. To proclaim me to the nations... that includes those around you right now. Are you willing to do that?
Me: I live a good life. That's really enough!

What a sad testimony to the call of God we all have on our life to share the Gospel. To tell of the good news of Jesus Christ, not just attempt to live it. The truly sad part of this line of thinking is that most of us don't live any differently that our neighbor, so we are fooled into thinking that we can share the love God has for them through how we live.

So as I prepare for Uganda, God has challenged me to step out in faith and obedience and share the Gospel with those I encounter. To realize that living "The Good Life" is not enough. We must speak the truth of Jesus, not just live it. So I challenge you today. Are you just like me? Too fearful, too worried, or too concerned about what others may think to share the Gospel?

Step out in the power of Holy Spirit today and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those you encounter.

Rom 10:13-17  For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  (14)  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  (15)  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"  (16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"  (17)  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

May God's peace be with you as you step out in faith.

Be Blessed,
Keith

1 Thing That Has Revolutionized Writing My Daily Journal

So you want to write a daily journal? That's great! I have written in my journal for years... off and on! Unfortunately, more off than on...

The problem for me is that I often sit down to a piece of paper or my blank computer screen and then ask myself, "now what?" But I have discovered a secret that  I want to share that has revolutionized my personal journal.

Ok, let's be honest here... it is really quite simple. I have created a template. If you know me, you know my mind works fairly orderly. So the one thing I have done to revolutionize my time and organize my thoughts is to answer a few questions in the form of a journal template. I have tried a few different ways to do this and there are a couple of things I have discovered.

• First, keep it simple... Too many questions and too many options bogs me down so I just keep it simple. Of course I have the freedom to expound on my thoughts and ideas, but simple is best for me.

• Next, journal regularly... 

• And finally the one key that is best for me is the ability to sync between devices. I use android and I have to have my journal on all my devices (I hope all the Apple users keep reading) so I have a journal app that syncs to my nook, phone, and desktop computer.

What are some things that you have discovered 

to help you keep a personal journal?

Here is the current template I use for my journal. I hope you find it helpful. Feel free to copy it and use it for yourself as well...

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Yesterday:

- What did I do?
- What area can I improve?
- What impacted me the most?
- What did I learn?


Right Now:

- How do I feel right now?
- What sins do I need to confess?
- What am I thankful for?
- Who/what can I pray for?


Today:

- What Bible verse/story impacted me today?
- What am I going to do today to positively impact my marriage?
- What one thing must I accomplish today?
- Write down one book quote that inspired me.

Personal Notes:

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Be blessed,
Keith

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