New Life in Jesus Christ: Part 1
"New Life in Jesus Christ" is a six part devotional series. Many find it both helpful and empowering to learn about new life in God through daily reflections. Contemplative spirituality helps us rest, relax, retreat and revitalize! Through the reading of sacred words, we can linger in refreshing moments of holy leisure before returning to our busy lives. If you desire prayers to assist your spiritual experiences, you are cordially invited to email your prayers to www.mccdc.com/inside/prayer.html.
Come and be blessed! Everyone is welcomed. Enjoy enriching moments of soul care as you savor these morsels of soul food. These simple thoughts represent a welcoming and growing global Christian voice of respect and inclusion for people of all sexual orientations. Jesus Christ is the most non-homophobic spiritual leader in world history and welcomes everyone.
About the author: Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok earned her Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC and Masters of Divinity degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. She studied at the famous ecumenical Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland. Her ministry training includes four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. She facilitates retreats and labyrinth events, provides ecumenical and interfaith pulpit supply and writes spirituality materials for international Internet readers. You may email your comments to her at revsandyb@aol.com
Contents of this page:
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Day 1: New Life in Jesus Christ
"In the beginning was…" John 1:1a
"The coach at a nearby university always begins the first practice by holding up a football and telling his players, "This is a football." After the laughter dies down, he makes his point: Good players never outgrow their need to review the basics, no matter how advanced, sophisticated, or successful they are" (Upper Room Daily Devotional, February 28, 1997).
So true! Just as the football players never outgrow their need to review the basics, so we, as spiritual seekers, need to review the basics about new life in Jesus Christ. No matter how advanced and sophisticated, successful or unsuccessful we may be, there are times when we need to rediscover Jesus Christ again and again for our spiritual empowerment.
A fresh discovery of Jesus in our lives can be transforming. So let’s pick up the football and review some of the basics of God’s Good News for our time and place in world history. Through the remarkable person of Jesus Christ, we can experience strength for day, with inner peace, joy and courage. New life in Christ ushers us into an adventure with God characterized by spiritual generosity, hospitality and respect for our differences. Respect is a holy word in these meditations.
Many readers might be unfamiliar with the gospel stories about this remarkable teacher-rabbi-healer-counselor-friend of both irreligious and religious peoples. Even those attending churches sometimes have difficulty is explaining "The Gospel." If this describes you, you are in very good company!
The following reflections are dedicated to explaining "The Gospel" of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is profoundly simple. So enjoy yourself with these humble thoughts. May each reader experience the kindness of Christ during your reading experiences. God bless you.
Prayer: God, bless our questions and doubts as we begin this spiritual journey. Amen.
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Day 2: The Most Important Truth in the Bible
"For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only Son…" John 3:16a
Many people are often overwhelmed at the idea of reading the Bible. Yet the Bible speaks powerfully and offers fresh understanding and spiritual empowerment for each new generation of readers. The Bible is a wonderful love story for those willing to take the time and effort to read it. Strengthening words of life, hope, faith and courage are found between the covers. There are many reasons why the Bible has been a bestseller for centuries.
A famous theologian named Karl Barth was once asked a question about what was the most important truth in the Bible. He answered by quoting the words of famous children’s hymn; "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so." This is the Gospel, the Good News of God. This hymn offers us great insight in the most basic and fundamental truth in the Bible.
Welcome into God’s great love story. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you’ve done, however you’ve found these devotional thoughts, prepare for an adventure in God that is only just beginning. God is passionately and deeply in love with you.
Perhaps you’ve never fully felt the unconditional, extravagant and abundant love of God. Perhaps you feel unlovable. Take a chance with God. Linger with these simple reflections and be open to the possibility of new life in God. You’ll be glad you did!
It is very easy to make Bible reading more personal. Readers have been doing so for centuries. Prayerfully consider inserting your name in today’s portion of this famous Bible verse. Perhaps it could become part of your centering prayer or mantra for the day. Quietly repeat this phrase again and again and let it linger in your heart. "For God so loved me, that God gave me his only Child."
What does this mean for you? How does it feel to be God’s beloved? Take a minute or so and jot down your thoughts and prayerful response to your meditation. Be open to loving, holy Presence. Linger and enjoy your moment of holy leisure. Savor the experience. Now have a wonder-full day. God bless you.
Prayer: God, help me be open to your love. Teach me about Jesus, your only Son, and what this could mean in my life. Amen.
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"We are born into the world of nature; our second birth is into the world of spirit" (attributed to the Lord Krishna, from the Bhagavada Gita). "… so that everyone who believes in him (Jesus) may not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
God is deeply in love with us. Through personal belief in Jesus Christ, we can have peace with God and eternal, everlasting life. This life with God is better than finding the proverbial fountain of youth. Belief in God through Jesus Christ is life-giving, sustaining and strengthening in the here and hereafter.
Some people might call this being "born again," "reborn," "twice born," "saved," "born from above" and "making a decision for Christ." While our words may differ, these words all basically mean a new spiritual life in Jesus Christ. It is like a spiritual awakening and renewal. We are created to have a "second birth." It is the most important moment in our life on this side of eternity, as we chose to follow Jesus for the rest of our lives.
Jesus Christ welcomes people of all sexual orientations into this precious relationship. Jesus offers "whosoever," "all," "everyone" and "anyone" this wonderful gift of eternal life to all that are interested. This gift of eternal life comes with no strings attached. It is completely free and unconditional. The gift does not have to be earned or competed for. It is as simple to receive as breathing. It is for everyone who wishes to receive this gift from God.
Once the gift is received, it can never be taken away. Accepting this gracious gift from God for eternal life begins a new life as a Christian. People from all walks in life, from all cultures, countries, sexual orientations are welcomed into God’s household of faith. God’s household celebrates diversity and respect for one another.
Jesus is for everyone. He does not require any change in sexual orientation, but does ask for our heart and souls. He wishes to live in our heart rent free, forever, and help us live one day at a time.
Prayer: God, give me this eternal life through Jesus Christ. I want to be a Christian. Amen.
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"Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." John 3:3
Many hotel and motel rooms have Gideon Bibles for the weary traveler. A prayer in a Gideon Bible reads:
"My Decision to Receive Christ as my Savior. Confessing to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification, I do now receive and confess Christ as my personal Savior."
Perhaps someone even today wants to pray this prayer and write it down in a Bible. Consider it. The palest ink is better than the best memory! This marks your spiritual birthday and is a good day to celebrate and remember in the years to come.
The following prayers might also be helpful for your meditations today and come from a variety of sources. But all of them help us experience our spiritual birthday in God!
Sometimes people will even ask us to help them pray these kinds of prayers. Rather than be nervous, encourage them to write their names and the date of their prayer. Help them get some follow-up discipleship materials to help people continue to pray, read spiritual words, find a welcoming and affirming church for people of all sexual orientations with some sort of small group to encourage them in their faith.
Let me cordially invite each and every reader to read New Life in Christ: Part 2. Part 2 will launch you into an adventure with God many Christians call "discipleship."
But do take a moment to celebrate! Something significant happened. It’s your spiritual birthday. Blessed be!
Prayer: God, bless our spiritual birthdays. Thank you for the joy of new life with you. Amen.
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Day 5: Five excellent spiritual practices as new babes in Christ
Spiritual birth is literally being born again. As spiritual infants, we need soul food, Christian nurture and care. We need more than TLC (Tender Loving Care) to grow up and mature in our faith. Let me share five excellent spiritual practices recommended by the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham in your new walk with God. These can be found in his popular pamphlet, "Steps to Peace with God."
Dr. Graham encourages Christians young and old alike to do the following:
Our lives will be transformed as we read our Bibles and pray every day. Our faith will be strengthened and others are encouraged when we share our experiences with others. Some wonderful places to begin Bible reading are all the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).
Some helpful and free study resources to begin your reading are:
http://soulfoodministry.org/docs/AhWhatIsGospel.htm.
"Ah, excuse me, but what is a "Gospel" is available in English and Spanish.
Study the prayers of Christ. They are practical and remarkable. They will help you live greatly and help others. A popular prayer resource in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French is located for your enjoyment at http://soulfoodministry.org/docs/sf_simplicity.htm. Another helpful article is located at http://soulfoodministry.org/docs/GodPower.htm. When we dare to pray like Jesus, our lives will never again be the same!
Prayer: Loving, caring God, bless our new beginning with Christ. Help us with everything we need. Amen.
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"…that we are all children of God through faith…there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26,28
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become cherished and beloved children of God. We can include sexual orientations to this listing with our 21st century understanding of human sexuality. There is no longer heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or transsexual divisions and divisiveness, we are all one in Christ Jesus. Each person is precious in the sight of God. Jesus Christ is a missionary Savior for all people. Thank God!
You may find certain people insisting gay and lesbian people cannot be Christians. But they are mistakenly divisive and even arrogant in their exclusion. When Jesus invites everyone, he means just that! You can be assured that homophobia is never found in the Gospel stories in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus Christ is actually the most non-homophobic spiritual leader in world history. Jesus never mentioned homosexuality in all his teachings, although he had plenty to say about loving God and our neighbors as ourselves.
Some of the finest Christians are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people of faith. There is an exciting global Christian movement welcoming spiritual seekers from all sexual orientations. Through their lives and churches, we see Jesus in gay apparel. You can find many of those affirming churches through websites such as www.ufmcc.com, www.christianlesbians.com, www.whosoever.org and many others.
As increasing numbers of gay and lesbian Christians come out in their faith, the face of the Christian church is changing forever. One LORD, one faith, one baptism, and one gospel for all. And people will know we are Christians by our love for each other.
Certain books in the Bible written by Paul, a first century missionary, are harder to understand and some parts have controversial translations and interpretations. Throughout world history, these have actually been used by people in power to defend and promote slavery, justify religious inquisitions and (un)holy wars, keep women in subordinate relationship roles that can actually promote abuse and domestic violence, while excluding many gay and lesbian people from joining and serving the church in leadership positions.
So read the Bible with great care and humility. Ask God for understanding. Take time to study carefully and search for your own understanding of Holy Scripture. Ask many questions and refuse to be satisfied with cliques and "pat" answers. Misinterpretation of Biblical texts can cause great suffering and anguish.
It is very important to learn how to read the Bible without prejudice and preconceived ideas. God is big, bigger than our limited human understanding can fathom. Be assured that there is a place for everyone in the Biblical stories.
Today’s Bible verse comes from Paul’s very first letter to churches in first century Galatia. Galatians has often been called the "Magna Carta" for Christian freedom/liberty. Galatians offers six chapters that offer us a wealth of relevant insights for the 21st century. Galatians helps us understand the timeless struggle of formal religious practices versus the profound simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ. Consider reading these pages and you’ll be challenged, encouraged, and strengthened in your faith walk as Christians.
Prayer: Oh God, thank you that we are one in Christ Jesus. Help us live in loving, Christian unity while celebrating human diversity. Amen.
(For further reflection, http://soulfoodministry.org/docs?TheGospelofJesusChrist.htm is suggested.)
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"I have come that people may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10b
We are deeply loved by God, made in the divine image and are of great value. God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives. It is God’s wish that we experience abundant life. It is actually God’s deepest desire that we experience joy through a personal relationship with God, our Creator, through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
As new babes in the Christian faith, we need to be fed, nurtured, mentored, taught, and matured in discipleship in order to grow up and thrive in our new faith. A disciple is a person who has chosen to follow Jesus and his teachings in word, thought and deed. Discipleship is a lifetime process. While "making a decision" might only take an instant, "making disciples" takes time, effort, commitment and accountability. Discipleship is worth every minute of learning and discipline.
Have you ever noticed how new babies need everything? They need feeding, holding, diaper changing, love and affection. The more care they receive, the more they thrive. Our new life in God is very similar. As newborn babes in the faith, we need spiritual milk in order to grow strong in our new faith and experience God’s abundant life.
There is even a Bible verse that tells us we need frequent and regular spiritual feedings to thrive! "Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Where do we find this milk? The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible are very good sources. In these timeless stories, we find our own place in God’s love story. These sacred words have enormous power to transform us from the inside out, if we are willing to give God a chance to work in our lives.
Consider reading a daily chapter in the Gospels and enjoy regular quiet time with God. Imagine yourself as a newborn babe, safe and snug in the arms of God. Savor these nourishing words and let them enrich your soul. You’ll find help in your times of need with many new insights for living.
Many readers better understand their spiritual readings with a beginning and closing moment or two of prayer. Offer your needs to God, ask for daily help and remember to thank God for answered prayers. Take time to confess any wrongdoings in your life. These simple but profound practices will help you experience abundant life in Christ.
Prayer: God, I want this abundant life Christ offers. Help me read spiritually empowering words and grow stronger in my faith. Amen.
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Day 8: Jesus never drives anyone away.
"…anyone who comes to me I will never drive away." John 6:35b
Jesus is available to everyone. Over the years I have met many people who feel unworthy in their lives. They carry shame and despair within their hearts for many reasons. Some earnestly believe God could never love them. Others fear they have committed unforgivable crimes and sins. I have heard many stories from those with broken hearts.
But the good news of God is available to anyone who comes to Jesus Christ. New life in God is just that simple. Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, broken hearts can be healed. Courage is given to the despairing. Hope brightens the darkest of desperate hearts.
Jesus is a spiritual leader and friend for all people. He is the tender Searcher who will not rest until everyone comes home to God. He is the Good Shepherd of our souls. Listen to these wonderful words of life: "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold, I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16).
Consider a new life with Jesus Christ. He will never drive you away. In him, you will find worth, value, respect and belonging. In Christ, you will be loved with a love that defies description. Listen to his voice through the wonderful gospel stories in the Bible. Come home. The Good Shepherd is calling you by name. Begin new life in God today. Begin this new life by saying "yes" to God’s great love for you.
Prayer: God, thank you for including me in your flock. Thank you for Jesus Christ. I don’t understand the entire story, but I understand Jesus is calling me by name today. Amen.
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"And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3
The gospel of Jesus Christ is profoundly simple. Here is how we receive eternal life. Know God. Know Jesus Christ. New life in God begins with a personal relationship with Jesus as our spiritual guide and friend. He is God’s very special messenger to planet earth for all generations.
How do we know anyone? For myself, spending time together is essential in getting to know someone. Quality time is often more important than quantity time. I love to spend time with my dearest friends. I love getting to know them better over the years. I cherish learning about their deepest thoughts and dreams. I love being comfortable enough to even sit quietly together without words in companionship. Sometimes I learn more about them through a moment of insight, but often my knowing them is the ongoing result of years of growing and deepening friendship.
Our spiritual relationships with God also grow and deepen with time. Sometimes knowing God is the result of combining personal knowledge and experience. Other insights may be more intuitive and instinctive. But there is no substitute for spending time together.
Relationships with people take commitment and time, so why should a relationship with God be any different?
God is extremely approachable and available with all the time in the world. We are offered friendship with God through the remarkable person of Jesus Christ. Through the timeless gospel stories in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus offers us the mind and heartbeat of God. These wonderful words of life help us know God. Knowing about God can lead to trusting and loving God.
There are many ways of knowing God. The simple spiritual practices of stillness, silence and moments of solitude in loving, holy Presence brings inner riches that money cannot buy. Experiment and explore them. Find out what nourishes your soul. Prioritize getting to know God. Your life will never be the same. God is wonder-full to be with. Eternal love, abundant life and spiritual insights are ours, if we will accept them. Knowing God is our highest calling. Through the stories about Jesus and his teachings, we can experience life in it’s fullest.
Chose life today. Know God more fully. Explore the stories about Jesus Christ and his remarkable message that continues to change our lives and world history.
Prayer: God, I would like to get to know you better. Teach me. Amen.
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Day 10: Reading empowers belief
"These things are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in Christ’s name." John 20:31
Knowledge is power. While researching the Internet for my Doctor of Ministry project in 1998, I learned that many people from developing countries quickly access online libraries. Why? Knowledge is power. Through a click of the mouse, we have instant access to the information superhighway.
Sometimes I feel information overload. In North America we jokingly say, "Too much information!" There are literally millions of websites promoting many religious and personal beliefs. Sometimes of the sites are shallow and judgmental. Some are actually dangerous and intolerant. Others are more welcoming or annoying than others, depending on our values, perspective and points of view. But there is something for everyone online. The Internet abounds with evangelists from every religious persuasion imaginable.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned to be a little skeptical with certain websites and the people associated with them. Not all are who they claim to be, although they seem very eager to speak for God and tell readers how to live their lives. I don’t believe everything I read. There is a great deal of Internet fiction and myth posturing as fact.
But the gospel stories found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are really rather amazing. They seem to offer timeless insights about people, life and God. They are spiritually generous for readers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and are counter-cultural for every era in world history. These stories seem to have amazing spiritual power for those inclined to read them again and again.
The gospel of John is a beautiful love story about Jesus, written by his beloved soul friend, John. John writes as a lover and helps us linger with Jesus in ways the other gospel writers do not. Many North American Christians wear bracelets with the famous initials, "W. W. J. D." This abbreviation means, "What would Jesus do?"
But the beloved friend and disciple known as John, brings us into profound life-changing moments of what I would describe as simply lingering with God. Simply being with Jesus. Perhaps John’s greatest insight for us is "H. W. J. B.?" H. W. J. B. is my abbreviation for "How would Jesus be?"
Being and doing are very different mindsets and understandings. Jesus was a contemplative activist, evangelist, teacher, healer, and spiritual leader of great renown. He knew how to linger with God before ministering among people.
Knowledge is power. Reading the gospel of John will offer you insights that will astonish and challenge you. John writes about belief ninety-nine times with remarkable depth and compassion. So be careful in your spiritual readings! These words have more power than dynamite.
Please consider reading the Bible. It will change your life and offer great moments of spiritual empowerment when you need it most. The Internet offers an amazing variety of hypertext Bibles. One of my favorite sites is the Unbound Bible. The Unbound Bible offers 10 English versions and 31 other languages at http://unbound.biola.edu. Additional hypertext Bibles offering translations in forty-seven languages can be found at http://www.crosssearch.com/Bible/Translations. Enjoy your reading and new adventure in God.
Prayer: God, bless our spiritual readings today. Amen.
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"…whom Jesus loved…" John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20, 24
Living as the beloved is our spiritual heritage in Jesus Christ. It is one of our highest callings. Belovedness is our birthright. But many live as though they are the despised and not the beloved. What a wasted life that would be! Be loved, beloved reader! Living as the beloved is God’s best for our lives.
There is no substitute for reading sacred words while lingering in safe, loving, holy Presence. Spiritual growth, healing and inner wholeness begins when we dare to live as the beloved on a daily basis.
Learning the Jesus story is vital for your spiritual growth! If reading the Bible feels uncomfortable, consider reading other soulfoodministry.org materials throughout the year. Two excellent resources that can be enjoyed throughout the year will bring you through the entire Jesus story, from crib to beyond the cross. They are located at http://soulfoodministry.org/docs/English/AdventDevot2000.htm and http://soulfoodministry.org/docs/English/Lent2000.htm.
In order to assist your personal growth, a daily devotional is presently available as the "One Day at a time, a daily devotional" by surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com at www.soulfoodministry.org. This resource is limited however, and will be removed from the website when the book is available for purchase through www.ChiRhoPress.com by November 30, 2001.
Enjoy your new life in Christ. Continue growing as a disciple of Jesus. God bless you.
Prayer: Dearest God, help us thrive and grow as new babes in Christ. Help us live as your beloved people. Teach us lessons in discipleship through New Life in Christ: Part 2. Amen.