A New Creation

Overwhelmed by the presence of God is the only way to describe how I felt on Mother's Day.  Watching and listening to testimonies of three women in my Blueprint Church family reminded me of how awesome God truly is in my life and the life of others. Their testimonies were so personal and authentic yet relatable. Each spoke of their struggles with trying to control their own lives leading to the realization they needed a Savior to come rescue them. After testimonies, the women followed in their next step of obedience which was baptism. What a powerful illustration of Christ's work on our behalf! Christ takes all our filthiness and makes us clean; not only clean but spotless. Sin and shame are replaced with redemption and restoration. The underlying theme of hope for all creation always take me before the throne of grace as a means of gratitude.

I, too, was baptized on Mother's Day- six years ago. As I watched the ladies take that step on Sunday, I reminisced on the journey God took me through. Before that point I was so afraid... of what I can't even tell you. As the time approached to join Pastor Bill in the baptism pool at Cascade Hills Church my heart almost pounded out of my chest. Going down in the cold water and springing back up to life -new life- accompanied by the sound of hundreds of people cheering was more than my emotions could take. The internal workings in my heart collided with the external obedience of baptism. I was a new creation in Christ Jesus and was fully surrendered. Baptism did not save me but it did show others what I already believed in my heart. Hearing my brothers and sisters in Christ cheer with me was icing on the cake.

Similar to the three women and myself, God is calling you to take steps of obedience in your life. It may not be baptism but it could be. Remember, God is more focused on your heart than anything else. He is the only one who can truly change you from the inside out. He can and will make you a new creation if you allow Him. Ask God today for your next step of obedience and follow Him forward.

In Christ,
Alissa


"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2 ESV

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15 ESV

Fill Us Up

God, I need you to fill me up. Fill me up with your Spirit. Fill me up with your grace. Fill me up with your confidence. It is easy to think I'm in control of my life. Intellectually I know you are in control but in my day to day interactions I work out of my own power. I'm often exhausted trying to do all things through my own strength. I need you to show me the way. I want your thoughts to be my thoughts. I want your words to be my words. God empty me of myself and give me more of your nature. I need more of you.

If the above paragraph resonates with you then cry out to God. Tell him what you need in this moment. Do you understand that when you cry out to God he actually hears you?  Do you know that He wants a relationship with YOU? Do you realize He is waiting for you to come to Him whether it's the first time or the fiftieth time? Don't interfere with the work He is trying to do in your life. Allow Him to fill you up. 

If you are drowning in your circumstances grab hold of the anchor that is Christ. No matter what you have done or what situation you currently find yourself in, God will bring you out and fill you up. When we receive Christ and walk with Him daily, chains will be broken. Captives will be set free. He will redeem and restore us. Don't go one more day without crying out to God with what you need. He is there and has always been there. He is waiting to fill us up when we surrender to Him.

In Christ, 

Alissa 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade." 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV