I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20 NASB)

Wow! I love reading Gods word and reading a verse that I have read a dozen times and then on the 13th, SMACK, right in the face it hits me. And it hurts sometimes.

What a notion, that it’s not me but Jesus living in me. That is great news, but also tough to think about. I’m way too selfish for this to be Jesus living in me. Sure it’s fine when everything is going well and I’m happy and getting what I want. But just put me in a situation where I’m not getting what I want and tell me if I look like Jesus. Not so much!

Paul said he was crucified with Jesus and it’s no longer him who lives but Christ. This is a choice and an attitude this is an opportunity to display Christ. It reminds me of that four letter saying it came out in the 90s WWJD. What would Jesus do, so every time a situation comes my way I need to think and ask myself what would Christ do. Then instead of reacting in my selfish flesh I need to act in Christ’s Spirit.

I have so much to be thankful for in this life. In 11 days I am marrying the most incredible woman I have ever met. I am blessed by all of our children I have a wonderful job. I have never gone without. Yet I still complain still grumble and I still can get a sour attitude. Hmmm? I wonder where my kids can get it from?

What’s happening is when something that I don’t like happens, I am focusing on the flesh the here and now living off of my emotion. Quite honestly I’m not called to live off of the way I feel, i’m called to die to myself to live for Christ. I’m called to think about things that are lovely holy pure and righteous and true (Philippians 4:8).

This is that hope that is spoken of. The thing that is inside of us that separates us from the rest of the world. The ability to face trials and tribulations look them square in the eyes and smile and say “it’s all good, God’s got this”. That’s easy, right? Hahahaha not for me. But it is something that I’m praying about lately it is something I’m asking God to change in my heart.

Yesterday was Father’s Day and I was truly blessed by Ingrid and my children. I was shown so much love and treated to a wonderful day. It made me start to reflect on my heavenly Father. To think about His love, His sacrifice and His attitude. It reminded me of why I need to die to myself to be crucified with Christ so that it can be no longer being me who lives but Christ living in me.

“Heavenly Father

Teach me to die to myself and to live for Christ. Teach me to show your love at all times to live in your joy and your peace at all times. Lord you have shown me the greatest example of love the greatest example of a father the greatest example of a husband, by the power of your Holy Spirit Lord Make my heart like yours. Help me to live with Christ in me and loving others above myself.
God help me with this in all areas of my life. In my relationship and coming marriage with Ingrid, with our children, with my friends and family and with my coworkers. Let it be something different in my heart, let it be a heart filled with love and peace and joy. Not feeling happy for the brief temporary moments of life but joyful for what Christ is done in me for me eternally.
Thank you Lord for the wonderful Father’s Day thank you for the love that you have given me and Ingrid and thank you for our children. Thank you for the opportunity to show your love your grace and your mercy to all of them and help me to be the man that you want me.
In Jesus name amen”