Arise, SHINE, Be Encouraged

The test is not what you do on Sunday at church, in front of other Christians. The real test is what you do on Monday morning, when you’re at work surrounded by friends and unbelievers.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4, NIV)

  

Paul tells us, as Christians, we were buried with Christ so that our old life, our sinful life could die. We’ve been reborn spiritually but we must develop a new way of thinking and behaving. We were dirty with sin on Saturday then saved through Christ and baptized on Sunday. Now, what do we do on Monday?

Several years ago, God led me to develop tools to use with my Executive Coaching clients. The tools (Kingdom of God Checklists and Prayer Cards) are encounters with God and are designed to help both new and more mature Christians examine their thinking and behavior. New believers need to understand what to do on Monday morning to embrace and walk out this new “life of righteousness.” New Christians must believe and renew their minds daily to see if they are living like a “new creature” or living like a “backsliding child.” The test is not what you do on Sunday at church, in front of other Christians. The real test is what you do on Monday morning, when you’re at work surrounded by friends and unbelievers. Unfortunately, for many Christians, Monday mornings often resemble Saturday nights before they were saved. They may make a few changes, but are often double-minded, with one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom.

I find the more I grow spiritually the more people ask me, “What has changed in your life since you came back to God and rededicated your life to Christ?” My answer is always, “Everything!” I recognize that my journey continues each day and that I’m still growing in Christ, but I’m thankful that I’m not the foolish, rebellious, self-centered prodigal son that ran from my Father’s house to the world. I give God praise that I too came to my right mind, returned to my Father’s house, have a new life, and that every day is Monday.

 

Lord, thank You for giving me new life in Jesus. Help me bury the old man each day so that the new man may live. Fill me with Your perfect love that casts out fear and selfishness. Give me the grace to walk in righteousness and may I give You all the glory and all the praise. Through the blood of Jesus and in the name of Jesus I pray, amen.