Rock Bottom - only way up is by God's GRACE!

Romans 6:1- 4 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  (emphasis mine)


When you became a follower of Christ, you knew that you were saved and your sins have been forgiven.  You probably even knew that any new sin or future sin you committed were forgiven as well.   Once we are forgiven, we realize we need to start "living" the Christian life.   Sermons and books tell you to do your best, go to church, join a bible study and start a relationship with God.  I can do that.  Ok...that's a nutshell version but you get the gist.

Do you ever not feel worthy enough to receive from God?  Do you think maybe you don't measure up?  Maybe you ask God what do I have to do to get my healing or you fill in the blank - What do I have to do to get a job?  Get a spouse?  Get ??? whatever it is you want.  Do you think that if you memorize one more Scripture or repeat a verse over and over again, your mind will be renewed enough to believe the Truth in that verse or get what it says?

When we don't understand our true identity in Christ, we strive to make things happen in our own strength.  We are doomed for failure if we try to make the Christian life work on our own (meaning without God's grace).   We end up becoming burnt out or spiritually bankrupt asking questions like -   Where is the abundant life that is promised?  Where is the joy of the Lord?  Where is the good that God promises?  When will my life turn for the better?   Are you worn out trying to become more "spiritual"?

All these years I've been trying to earn my way into His good graces, earn His provision, earn His love, dot dot dot.  Now,  I don't think God caused my health issues (I'm pretty confident my striving all my life did) but I do believe He has been directing me on this path so that I could come to the end of myself and truly understand who He is and who I am in Him.  Sometimes God has to take us down to zero, zilch, nada.   Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom in our finances, health, relationships, etc before we can truly realize our need and utter dependence on Him. (Thankfully He only shares on a need to know basis, ha).

Recently a friend of mine asked me to read Romans 5 and 6 about law vs grace and who we are in Christ.  At the same time, I started reading a book called Wired for Success, Programmed for Failure and Grace by Dr James Richards.   Another friend gave me a book The Rest of the Gospel, When the partial Gospel has worn you out by Dan Stone & David Gregory.   These things have been like a 2 x 4 upside the head, of course in a loving gentle way.   Even this weeks sermon at church was on freedom - freedom in who we are in Christ.  Watch it here: http://www.lifechurch.org/media.php?pageID=53.   A light bulb went on.   I have recently discovered how I've been living under the law and not under grace.  I am finally coming to an understanding of why I have been "working" so hard to be a good Christian and why it hasn't been working!  Yes, there's been fruit and that's all good, but my heart was still living in old beliefs.  I haven't been totally walking in the newness of my life in Christ.  I haven't been trusting God fully.

When we get down to where there is no where else to go but God - that is when His grace will take over.  As long as we think we can still do something, we get in the way of allowing God to work His grace in us.  Grace is God's favor, it's the unmerited operation of God working in our hearts,  it's the active communication of the Holy Spirit providing us spiritual blessings.  We can't earn it, we can't achieve something to get it, we can't beg or plead for it.  It is truly and purely from God and God alone!

• Our identity is not in our job title, our financial status or anything that we do but only who we are in Christ!  God wants us to see ourselves the way He sees us!
• God wants us to walk in the newness of life from the moment we are saved.  It's at that moment, that Christ is in us and we have everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).   
• He wants us to experience the abundant life filled with the promises in His Word (John 10:10b)  When we truly know that we know who we are in Christ Jesus, our mind and hearts are renewed and the Truth of God's Word can really come to life in us!  

Do you want to walk in FREEDOM? 

We have to say NO to the old life, old self, old ways, old thinking patterns and say YES and AMEN to His ways, His thoughts towards us and believe in our hearts that He does have good for us.   For some, this may be a process because of hurts in your past and may require some tender open heart surgery.  Pray, and ask the Lord to reveal your identity in Him and ask Him to make Himself known to you!  If you are one that has already got this revelation in your heart, praise GOD!  You know what it looks like to walk in freedom and the grace of God and I hope that you are helping others to realize it too!

This is what walking in grace says:

We are redeemed!  We are a child of God!  We are the righteousness of Christ!  We are more than conquerors!  We are overcomers!  We are blessed!  We are healed by Jesus' stripes!  We are deeply loved by the Creator of the Universe!  We have been set FREE from sin!  We are a new creation!  

We are kings and queens!  We are the bride of Christ!  

Our hope and prayer is that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior will grasp the understanding of their true identity in Christ.  I mean really grasp it so that there is no doubt!  When this happens, nothing can get in the way of what God wants to do in us and through us!  

For the Lord is GOOD, His love, mercy and faithfulness endures forever!  

Thank you for those of you who have been so kind to bless us with a financial love gift.  All gifts are greatly appreciated and needed!  God's timing is perfect!   And for those asking how you can help us,  see below.

Ken and I love to pray for folks who need a touch from the Lord - with words of encouragement, words of knowledge and a healing touch.  If you are someone in need, please let us know.  We also have a passion to activate and influence believers to walk in radical obedience to a fun and wonderful God!  There is just nothing like it!  

If you are interested in Ken and I coming to minister to you, your small group or church, please give us a call.  We would be delighted to!

God Bless YOU -

Ken & Michele Cole

http://www.wantinsight.com

michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com

Donate to The Want InSight - Phil 4:19 Fund!

This is how you can give to support the ministry God has entrusted us with, if the Lord so leads you:

Tax deductible donations can be made by visiting:
1. https://www.hhmin.org/make_donation_projects.php, select Ministry Projects, then use drop down box Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight?
2. Or you can donate through my medical account, select Medical Projects, then Michele Cole.  

(any donations made through HH is anonymous..so if you want us to know, please let us know).

3. Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:

4. Paypal - account is michele@wantinsight.com

5.  If you purchase any product from www.bulkfoodinvesting.com or www.preparetheway.com, we will receive a percentage back.

6. Send check to our home. Please contact us for our address.

Events Coming UP!

Welcome to the Prepare The Way 

Your trusted source for preparedness education and products.

Really Ready Weekend, August 23 - 25, 2012

Never before a hands-on preparedness training like this one.

In a weekend, learn vital preparation skills. Connect with people of like mind. Walk away with the skills and confidence to be ready when it counts. And, for the first time ever,experience a private tour of the Prepare The Way cave warehouse. Click Here to Register

Would you like your investment to be a WIN-WIN? Our investments can feed you in times of emergency AND have the potential for a huge return. Profiting From Preparation will help you transform the assets you have today into reliable food stores and potential profit in the future.  Join us in Kansas City for our readiness practicum. Really Ready Weekend #3: PROFITNG FROM PREPARATION August 23-25, 2012 Kansas City www.reallyreadyweekend.com Reserve your seat today. Get In Now »

Jubilee Ministry Center - 189 S Rogers Road, Olathe, KS

Tony Kemp
Friday, August 17th 7:00pm
Saturday, August 18th 7:00pm

Sunday Service, August 19th 10:30am

A love offerings will be taken.