Howdy Folks!

     For some time now the Lord has been laying this scripture on my heart. Recently I began a series of messages entitled, “The New Creature Life Style.”

    A life style is how we live our lives. It includes every detail right down to our favorite colors and more. It also has to do with how we respond to any given situation that comes our way and how we daily respond to Gods leading in our lives.

Let me share eight things that a New Creature Life Style will include.  

2 Cor 5:17-6:1 NKJV 

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

First, this life style will include entering into a life of constant prayer. Not just saying we’ll pray about things, but actually taking on the responsibility to cry out to God. A life of constant prayer sounds extreme but for a true Believer it is an absolute requirement.

    I have found that you can pray no matter where you’re at or what you might be doing. However I should caution you that if you are driving, don’t close your eyes. 

Second, this New Creature Life Style will involve a greater sense of giving. Not just of your finances but of your whole being. It will include your time, talent, and labors as well.

Gal 6:7-10 NKJV 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

If I watch the seeds that I sow and where and how I sow them, I will find that a great harvest will come my way.

Third, we will learn to serve in a greater capacity. Watch where I am going, in John Jesus said that we were no longer called servants but Friends.

John 15:15-17 NKJV  15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.  16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.  17 These things I command you, that you love one another.  

     In this portion of scripture Jesus is laying down the ground work or the foundation of how we are to minister. We minister by His power and authority flowing in our lives. We can minister freely because He speaks to us and reveals His desires for us. Some have taken this scripture as a sign that we are no longer called to serve. But what we really see here is that Friend, defines our relationship and serving defines what we do as a result. There is nothing that a true friend won’t do for another. As long as it’s legal and moral that is.

    I’d do anything for my friends. So if Jesus is now my friend, I’d do anything that He asks me to do.

Fourth, we learn to love without the fear of man.

    In John 13:35 we find that loving one another is the sign of a true disciple of Jesus. We must learn to love each other regardless of what church a person might attend, their social status, or their economical status.

    We must also realize that every one is our neighbor and that we are called to love them. Mt. 22:37-40

    Maybe the most difficult one is we must learn to love our enemy. Ouch!

Matt 5:43-48 NKJV "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,   45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?  48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Fifth, we will learn to walk with a conscience void of offense towards God and man.

    We must learn to never allow ourselves to become easily offended. We must also learn to never take the offenses of others. Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. You can’t be a peacemaker if you take sides. I can hear it all now, But Larry, you don’t know what so and so did to my friend. You’re right I don’t. But I can say, listen to both sides and then make peace between them.

Six, we must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. Nothing happens in the Kingdom of God until Faith is released. Salvation comes by faith. So does healing and God provision for our every need.

    Faith is a BIG DEAL to God and His Kingdom.

Seven, we must become a people of vision. Proverbs 29:18 tells us “where there is no vision the people perish.”

    We must constantly be looking to the Lord to give us freah and living vision to guide us into His perfect work for our lives.

Eight, we must learn to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Acts 1:8 tells us that we will receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon us. Luke 9:11 tells us that we have been given power over the enemy. Luke 24:49 tells us that we should tarry or wait until we have received power and then go. Romans 1:16 tells us that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Gospel is full of power. 1Corinthians 2:24 tells us that we are to come with a demonstration of power.

    Honestly there is no excuse for us to go out to minister for the Lord without His power flowing in our lives. We have been given all of the authority and power that we need in the Name of Jesus.

    We have an awesome responsibility to re-present Christ everywhere we go. If we are to do so accurately we must live as a new creature.

    Remember, “OLD IS OLD and NEW IS NEW.” I say out with the old and in with the new. Ever since I was young I had a thing for having new. I liked new bikes nit used bikes. I liked new clothes not old clothes. In living for Jesus I like being new, not old. The old man is dead, Buried with Christ. The NEW MAN has risen and should be living in us with great energy.

    If you keep resurrecting the old man, he’ll keep ruling your life. Let the “New Creature Life Style” flow out of you. 

Larry