March 1, 2010
“I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16:33 The Message
The Great Exchange #5
Saints-alive! … That’s what you are. Before Christ exchanged his life for yours .. all you could do was try and “insure” your life against anything or everything that terrorized you. You could tell yourself it bought you peace of mind … but it only gave you pieces of imperfect peace. That’s all this godless world can offer: pieces of peace. But Jesus has begun his “unshakable” and “assured” work in you. It’s nothing less than His life living in you today .. the same power working in you that conquered this godless world. What God has for you today is generous because that is who He is! How can God be generous with you when you’ve made a mess of things .. live in fear .. struggle with doubts .. rely on your own strength .. refuse to forgive yourself or others ..? Jesus knows the world you live in everyday .. the one you grew up in .. the one you work in .. and the one that tries over and over to keep you from living the Christ-life .. alive-risen-assured. God’s generous because He knows what his unshakable peace is becoming in you: Christ .. no more, no less. He’s generous because it takes his assuring presence to help you take the next step .. the next breath .. the next thing on your list. Because everything is different when it is God’s energy living and working through your life. That’s why you’re learning to love the life that Jesus is living in you today .. because you’re no longer trying to fit all the pieces. You no longer have to because He is fitting you with His Full Peace .. His life. It only takes a moment …
“To be mature is to be basic, Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.” Colossians 1:28-29 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to The Basic Followers of Jesus: No More-No Less and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
