Introducing The New You

Dr. Lewis Gregory

 (excerpts from the book)

Chapter 1

Meet the New You

“The moment I got into my old truck, I knew something was different. As I sat there reflecting, I automatically lit up a joint. Somehow, it just didn’t seem the same. So, I put it out and drove home. I went into the house where my wife was cooking supper. She took one look at me and asked, ‘What is it?’ ‘I don’t know,’ I answered. Then I told her about a man named Lewis that I met while I was fishing.

“Earlier that day I had been standing in a very secluded spot on a riverbank. I kept asking myself, ‘Why can’t I seem to make it? Where are my real friends?’ Unless I have drugs, no one comes around me. I thought—If this is all there is, then I have nothing left to live for. I was so depressed that I wanted to die. My life had no meaning. Nothing could satisfy me. I lived in fear—smiling on the outside and feeling as though I was absolutely dying on the inside.

“Just then, I heard a voice behind me say, ‘Could I speak to you for a moment?’ He didn’t know I had a gun in my pocket. I was so depressed that I thought, ‘If he hassles me, I’ll shoot him.’ ‘Go ahead,’ I said, ‘but it better be good!’

“As he spoke my heart was touched! I listened for three hours, which seemed more like three minutes. He told me about Jesus Christ. He explained that Christ would forgive me, restore me, and live in me—if I would only ask Him.

“He never said I had to go to church, cut my hair, quit drugs, or anything else. He said that if I would just repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, then I could be saved. He told me to ask Jesus Christ into my life, and He would come in to be my friend. All I needed to do was to simply trust Him with my life, and He would enable me to live. I believed what he said about Christ, and I invited Him into my life.

“‘And now,’ I told my wife, ‘things seem so different!’ She joyfully exclaimed, ‘Things are different! You have just been born again. The Lord Jesus Christ has come into your heart. He has changed you, and you have become a new person.’

“Life really is different!”

The story recorded above demonstrates how Jesus Christ can make all the difference in our lives. Becoming a new person in Christ is the greatest thing that happens to anyone! If you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, then you have also been changed. But if you are not sure, then I invite you to turn to Appendix A, where you will find “The First Step to Knowing God.” My prayer is that you will experience this marvelous change for yourself.

A radical change occurs within you the moment you receive Christ into your heart. God gives you the ultimate makeover. You are not the same anymore. You become a new person. And now, it is my pleasure to introduce . . . . MORE

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THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

   Dr. Lewis Gregory   

Christmas! There is a lot of talk about what it means, or at least what it should mean. Various cultures have developed different traditions surrounding this momentous event. It has certainly become significant to the retailers, since as much as 75% of their annual sales occur at this time. No problem there, as even our Lord Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  However if we were to examine the motive for giving and/or the amount given, then that might be another story. The real story we must not lose site of pertains to the true meaning of Christmas.

Scripture indicates that in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son into the world to be born of a woman. When God elected to send man the perfect gift, He did so in the person of His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Herschel Hobbs had this to say about Jesus Christ. “He became man in every sense of the word, apart from sin, that He might both identify Himself with man and fully reveal the Father to men.”

Jesus Christ came to earth as divinity wrapped in humanity. The coming of Jesus Christ into the world was the major turning point in the history of the world. Even the most current calendar dating—in the western world at least—has its date of origin at the birth of Jesus Christ. This type of calendar is known as the Gregorian calendar. According to World Book Encyclopedia, “Our calendar is supposed to be based on the year Jesus Christ was born. Dates before this year are listed as B.C., or before Christ. Dates after that year are listed as A.D., or anno Domini (in the year of our Lord).” Furthermore, one of the most prominent holidays in many parts of the world is Christmas. Although the history of some of its customs, and the accuracy of the date of December 25 are questionable, the original intent is clear. It is a commemorative celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thus, two major events, the year of the Lord’s birth and the date of His birth (although both are approximate) are incorporated into the calendar. More important than the date of Jesus Christ’s birth is the way He was born. “The birth of Jesus was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18). Dr. Donald Guthrie asserts that God performed the miracle of the incarnation with the same supernatural power of the Holy Spirit that He used in creation.

Jesus Christ was born of the Spirit, by a godly young virgin named Mary. Being a virgin, Mary had never experienced sexual intercourse with any man prior to our Lord’s birth. This means that our Savior did not have an earthly father. God is His Father. “Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ was miraculously conceived. This makes Him the only begotten Son of God.

Notice that the root word for Christmas is Christ. Without Christ, there is no Christmas! The world may try to take Christ out of Christmas, but they will never be able to take Christmas out of Christ. Jesus Christ is and forever shall be, the reason for the season! And that my dear friends, is the true meaning of Christmas!

Taken from Introducing The New You, to read more...

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WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

Dr. Lewis Gregory

“I can’t believe you mentioned God. My friends and I have only recently come to conclude that God actually does exist. We even bought a Bible so we could learn more about Him. But something still doesn’t make sense to us. Who is this God-man named Jesus that is referred to in the Bible?”

Her question is extremely relevant for all of us. Who is this God-man named Jesus Christ? The apostle Peter, one of His most loyal followers, gave this answer, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered . . . flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:16–17). God showed Peter who Jesus Christ really is. It is a spiritual truth that could only be revealed by the most high God.

Everyone needs that same personal revelation of who Christ is. Have you discovered who Jesus Christ is and what He means to you? If not, take a moment right now and simply ask the heavenly Father to reveal Jesus Christ to you. You can be assured He will.

Jesus Christ is sometimes described as the God-Man because He is both God and man. He is God come to earth in human flesh—the express image of our heavenly Father. It was His choice to come to earth and to take on a human form in order that He might relate to all mankind. Therefore, God became one of us. Dr. J. I. Packer described it this way: “Jesus of Nazareth was as truly and fully divine as He was human. Here are two mysteries for the price of one—the plurality of persons within the unity of God, and the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus.”

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, “Which is, and which was, and which is to come” (Revelation 1:8). From before this world began until after this world is gone, Jesus Christ is and shall forever remain God. He is preexistent to all of creation, and, in fact, is the means by which all creation exists. In His preexistent state, prior to being known as Jesus Christ, He is described as the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . All things were made by him . . . In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1,3-4). Jesus Christ is the light of the world and He alone can truly enlighten us.

My question for you today is—have you seen the light yet? Jesus Christ died for you, so that you could know God and become His friend.  “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”

(1 Timothy 2:5). He is the solution for all your problems! Discover for yourself by reading “The First Step to Knowing God.”

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THE TRUE MEANING OF EASTER

Dr. Lewis Gregory

Easter is a Christian holiday. It is the most special of all Christian holidays. What makes it so special? Three very notable events occurred which make Easter the most significant holy day of all—the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Crosses. They’re everywhere! Crosses come in many different forms, sizes, and shapes. You see them on church buildings, in people’s homes, or in their cars. People wear them as jewelry—necklaces, rings, earrings, and lapel pins. Some people even have tattoos of the cross on their bodies. Others are seen making the sign of the cross before or after a major event—athletes are especially noted for this. Cemeteries often have crosses marking the graves.

During my tour of duty in 1967 with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, I traveled to the city of Manila in the Philippines. My visit to the city included the cemetery where the U.S. soldiers from World War II were buried. What a sight! I gazed in awe at the seemingly endless rows of white crosses (over 17,000) marking their graves. My namesake, Lewis Richey, one of Dad’s best friends, died in that war while fighting in the Philippines. I couldn’t help but wonder if his name was on one of those crosses.

WWII US Military Cemetery Manila, Philippines

The sight of all those crosses was a vivid reminder of the great price that has been paid for freedom. It was a deeply moving time for me. As a soldier myself, it struck close to home. This was partly because I was in the midst of a war in a distant land, far removed from family and friends. But it was primarily because of the contrast between all those crosses and the one cross they represented. I couldn’t help but think of what the cross symbolized, and what it meant to me personally.

The cross undoubtedly means different things to different people. A repairman came to our house once wearing a very large, ornate golden cross. It was such an unusual piece of jewelry that I finally asked him about it. He had a vague understanding about the Lord, and a somewhat general idea about the cross. However, based on his response, it was evident that he was oblivious to the true significance of the cross. What about you? What does the cross mean to you?

What Is the Real Significance of the Cross?

The cross itself is not really significant at all. The original crosses were just two pieces of wood crossed and bound together and used for execution. They were quite plain, rather crude, and somewhat common. Then what makes the cross significant? The significance of the cross stems from one very special person, who was crucified on a cross. It was the death of the pure and perfect Son of God, upon an old, rugged cross that gave it significance. The critical point for all Christendom occurred when Jesus Christ was executed upon the cross. Therefore, the cross is central to Christianity!

In order to grasp the full magnitude of the cross, you need to view it in its proper context. All the events surrounding Christ’s death on the cross must be taken into account. Only then can you perceive the significance of the cross.

Let's begin with a brief summary. First there is the preexistent, eternal deity of Christ, then His virgin birth, followed by His sinless life of perfect obedience to the Father. Next came His sacrificial, substitutionary, all-sufficient, atoning death on the cross, with His subsequent burial. Afterward, there was His triumphant resurrection, and then His glorious ascension into heaven. As a result of all that, Christians can enjoy His indwelling presence here on earth through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ lived a completely selfless life. He lived totally for the sake of others. He served the needs of His fellow men by feeding the poor, healing the sick, and instructing the masses. Yet, in spite of His sinless life and all His philanthropic deeds for humanity, He was arrested, convicted, and ultimately crucified. Crucified is the term used to describe someone who has been executed upon a cross for a crime. It is a very slow, extremely painful, and grossly humiliating form of punishment. Death is never pleasant, but being executed upon a cross is sheer torture.

However, unlike others who were executed, Jesus Christ did not remain in the grave. Although He was crucified and buried, three days later He arose from the grave! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Every year on Easter morning, atop Stone Mountain in Georgia, a sunrise worship service is held to commemorate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is very inspirational for the more than 3,000 hardy souls who get up early and make the trek to the top. Our family has done it several times. On one particular occasion, the local TV station was there to cover the event. One of the people they interviewed was our teenage daughter, Amy.

When they asked her what she thought about the event, she exclaimed, “I'm glad to be up here. This is what Easter is all about. Today is the most important holiday for Christians. It is the day that we celebrate our risen Lord!”

He is risen indeed! The apostle Paul recounts the event, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to more than 500 people, including His own disciples. Forty days following His resurrection, He returned to God the Father. He did this by ascending bodily into the sky, until He disappeared in the clouds. Now, He is seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realm, where He always lives to make intercession for us.

Paid in Full!

Praise God—Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins! He did this by willingly taking our place, and dying as a ransom for our sins. “You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death” (Colossians 1:21–22). The demands of God’s righteous system of justice were met through Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf. Since Christ was the perfect sacrifice that God required, He now declares our sin debt paid in full. Therefore, God offers a full pardon from all sins for those who will accept Jesus Christ as their redeemer.

The pardon that God offers you comes entirely as a result of His grace, without any merit on your part whatsoever. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Dr. J. I. Packer points to grace as the basis of this pardon. “Justification,” he says, “is the truly dramatic transition from the status of a condemned criminal awaiting a terrible sentence to that of an heir awaiting a fabulous inheritance.” You are justified in the sight of God because of His grace being extended to you through the cross.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ is God’s sole provision for your salvation. Only Christ is capable of redeeming you from Satan’s dominion of sin and death.

That is exactly what Christ did. “[He] gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6). He submitted Himself to be crucified at the hands of wicked men. He willingly subjected Himself to be nailed to a cross, and there He died! “He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). The cross, in the biblical sense, represents Christ’s sacrificial death for sinful humanity.

His death was not limited to any particular race or class of people. The death that Christ died encompassed all mankind. “That He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9). Christ not only died for us, but also as us. His death was in actuality our death. When Christ died on that cross, you died too! Furthermore, when Christ arose, you arose too! Christ became one with you in death in order that you might be one with Him in life. And that’s the real meaning of Easter.

Taken from Introducing The New You, to read more...

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YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER

Dr. Lewis Gregory

The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14–15).

What is the significance of having God as your Father? After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden, not far from the empty tomb. At first, she didn’t recognize Him, but He made Himself known to her as the risen Lord. Then, He introduced her to a most profound concept with these words, “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God (John 20:17). He was saying that because of what He had done, God could be her Father as well as His Father. As a result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is now possible for you to be reconciled to God as your heavenly Father.

There is only one kind of family relationship that can ever completely fulfill your need for belonging, and that is the family of God. Becoming a part of God’s heavenly family provides the only opportunity for fulfillment of this kind.

God offers each of us a place in His heavenly family. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate . . . and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17–18). How does this affect you personally?

When you receive Christ, you are born of the Spirit of God. At that moment, your Creator God becomes your heavenly Father. You become a part of the grandest family of all—the family of God.

Now, God is your Father and you are His child. Paul writes, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:5). People often wonder what God’s will is for their lives. This verse makes it very clear regarding at least one aspect of His will.

He wants you! He wants to bring you into a vital union of intimate relationship with Himself. Therefore, He made provision for you to be a part of His family. When you accept Jesus Christ, He adopts you into His family. It gives God great pleasure for you to be one of His children. He is delighted to be your Father, and to lavish His tender loving care upon you. As a child of God, you are now the recipient of the heavenly Father’s unconditional love and acceptance. Being a member of the family of God also provides you with a permanent place of belonging. God Himself has chosen you—you are needed, wanted, and very special.

When Jesus Christ was baptized, the heavenly Father announced, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God the Father affectionately referred to His firstborn as Son. He now calls you by the very same name as your Lord. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).

Astounding, but it’s true—God calls you His son or daughter. This term of endearment, which the Father used for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is now bestowed upon all of His adopted children. “That we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:5). Yes, you have been adopted into the family of God. So, you are His child, and He’s the proud Papa! “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6).

The word Abba is from the ancient Aramaic language commonly spoken in Jesus’ day. It is an intimate, affectionate term, somewhat like our word daddy. Because you have been granted the same filial relationship as Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit causes you to view God as Abba, Father—Daddy, God.

The Royal Treatment

Through Christ, we become sons and daughters of the living God. The privilege of sonship is the greatest honor that the Father can bestow upon you. He has chosen you to be a part of His family, to be one of His very own children. Sonship is not something you have to wait until you die and go to heaven to receive. It begins right now. “Now are we the sons of God” (1 John 3:2). This is an amazing fact! Every time I consider it, I am overwhelmed. Sometimes when I attempt to share this with others, I get all chocked up and teary-eyed. I am deeply moved that God has granted you and me the privilege of being His sons and daughters. You might want to take a moment to reflect on this very fact.

When you became part of God's family, you entered His heavenly kingdom—one that is a spiritual kingdom. It is not of this world. Your heavenly Father has ushered you into this heavenly realm by a spiritual birth. “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).

God's kingdom has come into your heart and your heart has become His throne. Your heart is now the abode of the King of kings. You are seated together with Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6). Although you are still physically in this world, you are no longer of this world. You are now part of God's heavenly kingdom, the family of God. All hail King Jesus!

Regrettably, most Christians have yet to comprehend that they are part of the ultimate family. This is a more common dilemma than you might think. For instance, a good friend of mine belonged to one of the most exclusive private clubs in the nation. Membership in this club had been a family tradition for several generations, so it was very important for him to be a member of such an august group. However, once he began to discover his true significance as a part of the family of God, with his true identity in Christ, the club lost its appeal. He realized he no longer needed that earthly status symbol, so he gave up his membership, which was a huge decision.

Perhaps you need to make a similar decision. Stop trying to get your needs met from lesser things when you are a part of the greatest One. Settle it once and for all. You already belong to the most elite group in the world—God’s family! The beauty of this is that God’s family is all-inclusive. Being a part of His family is available to everyone. It is a great privilege to be a part of God’s family and to have God as your heavenly Father!

Taken from Introducing The New You, to read more...

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LABOR DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

Dr. Lewis Gregory

Papa & Taylor Grace, Resting Easy

Labor Day in the United States has traditionally been a day to cease from one’s labors and rest.  God offers a lifetime of rest to all who will cease from their fleshly labors and enter His rest.   Easier said than done!  It is very difficult for most of us to give up on all our  “so called good works.”  I know it was for me.  My thinking went something like this.  “I’m trying as hard as I can, doing all that I can, the best that I can.  It may not be the greatest (admittedly I was defeated), but I’m giving it all I’ve got.  If all my hard work has only gotten me this far, just think what would happen if I gave up.  Why, it would be a disaster, and I would become passive.

Since then I’ve discovered this kind of thinking to be all too common among Christians.  Ceasing from our fleshly efforts in order to enter God’s rest is actually shifting from a works-oriented approach, to a grace-oriented approach to living.  Ironically, many people have mistakenly thought that this emphasis will lead to a life of passivity. The concern is that a strong emphasis on grace—which declares that the responsibility for our lives belongs to Christ and that He will take care of everything for us—will cause many to become passive. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

When you truly realize your union with Christ, you are not about to sit back and do nothing. Passivity is the last thing on your mind. Once you have discovered what it means to be a new creation in Christ, you are finally ready to do something of eternal consequence. As you begin to realize your true identity in Christ, it actually liberates you to an even greater level of activity—Divine activity. You are fully equipped for godly living. At last, you’re free to do what God has put in your heart to do.

Paul, the chief proponent of this truth, was no slouch. In fact, he was one of the most active Christians on biblical record. Here is what he wrote, “By the grace of God I am what I am . . . I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Did you notice he said he labored much more than everyone else? He is not bragging—far from it. It is merely a statement of fact. Yet, in a sense, it is bragging, though not about himself. Who did Paul credit for such fervent activity? He emphatically stated that it was God who made him who he was, and enabled him to do what he did. He described this remarkable phenomenon as the grace of God. Paul declared that his labors were a result of God and God alone. He was bragging all right—on God!

The grace of God does not result in passivity. Paul made it very clear that this life of grace, as a new creation, is anything but passive. He told the Colossians, “I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29). Paul declared that such a lifestyle is a labor, which involves striving, and results in work being accomplished.

What was the source of Paul's labor? The energizing source of his dynamic labor was none other than the indwelling Christ! He also asserted that everything he did was a result of God’s work in his life. It was Christ who did the work, but He has chosen to do it in and through human personalities. That's you and me. We have been granted the marvelous privilege of being co-laborers with Christ. We are the human instruments through whom He has chosen to accomplish His Divine purposes. Divine activity is to be the order of the day for those believers who are living by the grace of God as new creations in Christ.

On one hand, you don’t do anything; yet, on the other, you do everything. You, in your human strength, are not to do anything. However, you, in the strength of the Lord, are now able to do all things! In Philippians 4:13, Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This is now your motto.

Once a young Christian told me this was her favorite verse. When I asked her why, she answered, “It gives me hope and confidence. I am hopeful that things will be different for me as a Christian. I also have a new self-confidence, because God has made me a new person in Christ. Therefore, I am confident of what I can do through Christ, who is now my strength.” May God grant you this same outlook on life!

Once, a friend met a young man who said he had been a Christian for a few years. After determining that the young man had truly met the Lord, he began to quiz him about his Christian walk. As they became better acquainted, several interesting things emerged.

It became evident that the young man’s life was stagnant. In fact, he seemed to just be going in circles. To make matters worse, he blamed others for his dilemma.

When my friend realized the young man was stuck in a rut he exclaimed, “Man you’re sitting on a gold mine, and you’re just letting it go to waste. As a Christian, God has endowed you with a brand new life. Are you telling me that you have Christ inside of you, and yet you are not allowing Him to live His life through you? That’s just not right. It’s time for you to get with the program!”

The same is true for you. If you feel as though your life is going nowhere, then it’s time to get with the program. The transforming truth of the new creation made it possible for the apostle Paul to do God’s work. Likewise, you must be about your Father's business!

May this Labor Day be the beginning of a lifetime of resting in the Lord. As you do, you will find His grace sufficient for all your labors. And you can rest assured that your labor will never be in vain in the Lord!

Taken from Introducing The New You, to read more...

all previous excerpts from

Introducing The New You

THE END

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A Fish Out of Water

Dr. Lewis Gregory

Drew Gregory (Basser Drew)

  During a fishing trip with my son Andrew, I observed something very interesting. He hooked a large bass, and attempted to land it after just a short while. I cautioned Drew to wait, because it looked like the fish had more “fight” in him. Sure enough, the fish gave one more surge, flipped himself free of the hook, and swam away. I'm sure anyone who's ever fished has experienced this same frustration. Fortunately, Drew has caught plenty more to make up for it!

As I reflected upon this, I thought, how amazing it is that the fish had such strength. He was able to overcome a grown man, many times his size. I thought of the phrase “a fish out of water.” A fish, in his element, has phenomenal strength. Yet, once you get him out of the water, he is quite powerless.

In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by water. Just as water is the element for the fish, so the Holy Spirit is your element. As a believer, you are “in the Spirit” and therefore you are strong “in the Lord.” Since Christ is the source of your strength, you can now do all things through Him. But only as you walk in the Spirit, will you experience His mighty power.

Do you feel powerless, weak, or defeated? If so, then you are outside of your element. You are relying on your fleshly strength instead of His strength. And that makes you just like a fish out of water!

Remember your true element. You are no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Therefore, cease from your fleshly efforts. Stop living after the flesh and start walking in the Spirit. Now, that's your true element!

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WHAT A BLESSING

Dr. Lewis Gregory

“Oh, if only God would bless me!”  And so we pray, “God bless me . . . with wisdom, with patience, in this decision, in my job, as I teach . . .” and the list goes on.  Yet, with all our sincere seeking and praying, we miss the blessing.  Why?

One day as I was frantically searching through the house, my wife asked, “What are you looking for?”  “My keys.”  “What is that in your hand?”  Much to my amazement, I discovered I had picked up the keys without realizing it.

What is that in your hand?  Just consider what God has given you in Christ.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).  It states that God has already blessed us with all the blessings.  He has blessed us, past tense.  But what have we been blessed with?  Everything!  We have been blessed with the blessing of Christ Himself.  And because we have Christ, we have all the spiritual blessings of heaven.  Through Christ, all the heavenly resources are at our disposal.  You are blessed!

The blessing comes to us through Jesus Christ, and is received by faith (Galatians 3:14).  “Knowing that you are thereunto called, that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).  The blessing is your inheritance.  Therefore, possess your possessions!  Simply accept, by faith, God’s bountiful provisions for your new life in Christ.  Take it, it’s yours.

Why?  It is certainly not to consume them upon your own lusts.  God has blessed you, that you might be able to render a blessing.  What God told Abraham applies to you as well.  “I will bless you and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).  God has blessed you, and now you can be a blessing!  So, be who you are!

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A PERSONAL WAKE-UP CALL

Dr. Lewis Gregory

              My wife Lue and I were looking forward to enjoying our first holiday weekend together as a married couple.  But since the news media emphasized the high risk of traveling during the holidays, we decided to play it safe and spend a leisurely weekend at home. 

However, after the second day, we became bored.  Solution: go fly a kite, except we didn’t have one.  So off to the store we went.  Little did we know what awaited us on our return trip.  As we rounded the curve, our nice quiet holiday came to a screeching halt.  A large Asplund Tree Company truck crashed right into us.  As I peered through the broken windshield at the front of the truck, I heard my wife moaning.  The next thing I knew we were leaving the hospital in a daze.  Someone mentioned how lucky we were.  Yet, I kept thinking, this was not luck, it was a miracle!  This was God!  We had faced death, and survived.

During the next few days, I had plenty of time to reflect.  I did a lot of praying and personal soul searching, especially after I viewed the damage to our automobile.  Wow!  Our beautiful new car, which I had idolized as a symbol of success, was now merely a crumpled old junk heap.  It was totally demolished.  Scratch one status symbol.

My eyes were opened.  It dawned on me that this could have been very serious.  Life is extremely fragile.  So, I began to ask myself some very probing questions.  What did all this mean?  Who am I?  Where am I going?  And how am I going to get there?  Although it took many months to satisfactorily resolve these questions, God showed me one thing rather quickly.  True life can never be found in the temporal things of this world (Luke 12:15).  Therefore, I concluded that climbing the worldly ladder of success is not the answer.

Well, so much for a nice, safe, relaxing weekend.  However, I’m thankful for that accident.  Yes, thankful!  You see it woke me up to the realization that the source of genuine fulfillment is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He alone can provide lasting peace and joy.  And He has!  The outcome has been much safer and more relaxing than anything I have ever known.  I have experienced a “value shift” from the temporal to the eternal.

Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).  That is exactly what I did.  Since I have made Him my primary focus, He has taken care of all the rest.  When we focus on the eternal, He will guide us regarding the temporal. 

What are you seeking?  God promised if you would seek Him, then you would find Him.  He’s here for you.  But you must seek Him with all your heart.  It’s time to seek the Lord!

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THE WONDER OF IT ALL

Dr. Lewis Gregory

    There is a lot of talk these days about knowing God. Yet most Christians still don’t really know Him. So, let’s get to know Him!
    Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. Knowing God begins with a reverence for God. The starting point for becoming truly wise is to recognize there’s a power greater than us. That power is God Almighty through His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.
    We, as humans, think we understand things. But we only have a surface awareness. No true understanding exists apart from the knowledge of The Holy. There is only one who is holy, and that is God Almighty. In knowing Him, we begin to understand what life is all about. Then, and only then, can we truly live life. That is why you must know God! It is time to seek the One Who is all wise.

THE NECESSITY OF KNOWING GOD
    The scripture doesn’t say the knowledge “about” the Holy. It says, “the knowledge of the Holy.” There is a vast difference between having information and having true understanding. We live in an information age. There is a knowledge explosion. Everything is geared to the philosophy that “the more we know, the better we are.”
    But that is not the case! The reality is that information is not enough. A true spiritual transformation must occur. Therefore, the knowledge of God is absolutely essential.
    Oh, the wonder of it all! Just think, He actually desires to give us the guided tour through life.
    The Apostle Paul’s burning passion was that I may know Him (Phil. 3:10). Yet he, of all men, knew Him! Paul knew the Lord in great depth and intimacy. If it was essential for Paul to know him more fully, then how much more do we need to know Him.
    Philippians was the first book that really came alive to me. When I read Philippians 3:10 I said, “That is my desire, my prayer. Yes, I want to know you, Lord!” Is it your prayer? May your passion be, “Oh, that I may know Him!”
    Once I began to know Him, my desire became two-fold. “Lord, I want no only to know You myself, but I also want to help others get to know You.”
    A few years later I came across a phrase by Dawson Trottman, founder of The Navigators. He said our objective should be “To know Him and to make Him known.” What an excellent summation of the Christian life!
    That’s basically it. Once we begin to know Him, we have the privilege of making Him known. We can tell others about how Christ has radically transformed our lives. That is making Him known.
    Yet the focus must remain on knowing God. So what does it mean to know Him? It is not learning about Him. It is having a vibrant relationship with Him. This should be ongoing, ever growing and maturing. Do you know Him like this?
    You can. Let me explain how.

THE FIRST SECRET
    I met Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at age eleven. Ten years later, Lue and I were married. About six months afterward, I discovered one of God’s fundamental secrets.
    I was so challenged by Lue’s life, that it motivated me to seek the Lord. I began to reassess my relationship to Him. I prayed, “Lord I want to get to know You afresh and anew.” Lue and I began to search the scriptures together. I kept trying to understand them. I wanted to get a handle on this Book.
    At age three, I remember my mother, who was a Christian, frequently reading the Bible to me. Over the years, she continued to tell me about the Lord. Most of all, I saw her live out the Bible. So, I knew the Bible stories. I could even debate Bible facts, but there was still something missing.
    Finally, it dawned on me! What I saw in the Bible and what I saw happening in my life weren’t the same. I concluded that since it happened in Bible times, it could happen now! In fact, it should be happening in my life today!!
   “So, Lord, why isn’t it happening? How can I begin to see in my life what those in the Bible saw?”
    One evening I got my answer. As we were reading John 14:26, I saw it! But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. This was my first spiritual secret to knowing God.
    I locked in on that one verse. I said, “Now wait a minute. All this time I have believed the Bible was true. I have gotten information from it. I have tried to follow it. I have attempted to apply its principles.” Yes, I failed in some areas, but I made progress in others. The bottom line—it wasn’t working. “Dear Lord, what’s the problem?”
    God said, “It’s because the Bible is a Spiritual Book and only My Spirit can make it real in your life.” My problem was I had been reading the Bible like a textbook. Since I had been a good student, I thought I could figure this out. I was able to learn Bible facts and even analyze them, but it never connected with my life. I could see it, but not fully experience it.
    I got some further insight from 2 Peter 1:21. It says, The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. What I realized was that this Book is truly God-breathed, inspired by God’s Spirit. The Author of the Book is God Himself. The Holy Spirit worked through human instrumentality. It was God speaking through the uniqueness of distinct personalities with different backgrounds and occupations, but it was always God bringing forth His Word to mankind! The Bible originated with God who is Spirit. Therefore, as a Spiritual Book, it can only be understood by the Holy Spirit.
    Another glimmer of light began to dawn on me from 1 Corinthians 2:9. It says, As it is written eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him. It is not possible to grasp what God has prepared for us.
    There is only one way to know God. Verse 14 says, The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. It is humanly impossible to grasp the things of God. The natural mind, which encompasses the physical human realm, cannot possibly comprehend the things of God. They are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them. They cannot be known on the human plane. Why? Because they are spiritually discerned.
    There it is again! The things of God are known only by the Spirit of God. They are Spiritually interpreted. The Spirit gives us understanding. He alone can make God’s Word real to us. That’s the secret!
    So I prayed again. “Now God, I realize that You are saying this is a Spiritual Book, and the Holy Spirit, who indwells me, is going to teach me. Therefore, Holy Spirit, I trust you to cause me to understand the Bible.”
    I concluded that since the Bible is a Spiritual Book, only the Holy Spirit can teach me. Furthermore, only by God’s Spirit can I know and understand the things of God. Therefore, every time I open this Book, my prayer is, “Holy Spirit, show me what to read, and speak to me through Your Word. Make this Book real and alive in me.”

LIVING EPISTLES
    Yeah, what about this matter of Scripture coming alive in us? It’s one thing to talk about it, but quite another to live it. Numerous Christian seminars contain powerful truths that we are admonished to go out and apply. Often we think, “Wow, there is so much here, how can I ever apply it?” Good question!
    One man, overwhelmed with the volume of information he got at a seminar, said, “There’s so much, I don’t know how I can possibly apply it, but I guess that’s what God expects.”
    Or does He? No, He doesn’t! God realizes that we can’t apply Spiritual truth. He knows that it is humanly impossible. Thus, enters the Holy Spirit. He is the Divine applicator. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can apply Spiritual truth.

A MULTIFACETED SECRET
    Therefore, we must rely on the Spirit to enable us to live life. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit (Zechariah 4:7). The Lord is telling us that we, as humans, don’t have the ability to live life. It requires God’s Spirit to enable us. It is God’s Spirit that brings forth the life of Christ in our daily walk. Only by God’s Spirit can this happen!
    God won’t overload us. He has promised not to give us more than we are able to bear. He also gives us the One Who will enable us to bear it. That, of course, is the Spirit of God. He has come to indwell us in order to empower us.
    Furthermore, He will guide us. Christ says in John16:13 that the Holy
Spirit will guide you into all truth. He is not an external guide to show us the way; He is a Guide from within who lovingly directs our lives. Just as the internal tracking device of a homing pigeon enables it to maintain its bearings, so the Holy Spirit causes us to go in the right direction. He keeps us on course.
    The Holy Spirit guides us by prompting our thoughts, stimulating our emotions and motivating our desires. Words fail to adequately describe God’s marvelous provision through the Holy Spirit.
    Oh, the wonder of it all! Just think, He actually desires to give us the guided tour through life. Are you letting Him!

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GOD SAVE THE FAMILY!

Dr. Lewis Gregory

Rich, Charis, Thomas, and Taylor Butler

The family is the most basic and vital building block of society.  Yet, we are living in a day when family values are rapidly eroding away.  The very sanctity of marriage is being challenged. Those who are committed to the family unit are becoming a vanishing breed.  If we’re not careful, the family may someday be an endangered species.  It is up to the household of Faith to turn the tide.  Therefore, God’s people must come together under the Lordship of Christ, and seek Him for the preservation of the family.

The Lord Jesus Christ has removed every human barrier, and made us all one in Him.  God’s solution to a unified harmonious relationship is found in Ephesians 4:3, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”  Make this a commitment for your life.  And make it a prayer for all your relationships.  But especially pray that God would preserve the family unit, and make it a peaceful, harmonious relationship for all concerned.

The bottom line is that God has provided a lasting solution for our relationships.  Therefore, we must avoid settling for a quick fix to our surface problems.  That is never God’s approach to harmonious relationships.  Jesus Christ offers more than just a way to cope with life.  He offers unified, enduring relationships.  And His relationships are both peaceful and joyful.  Now that’s true harmony!

Jesus Christ is the rightful head of the house.  Under His wise and capable leadership, the family unit can remain a viable force in the world today.  And by the grace of God, it will!

MORE ON THE FAMILY

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FAITHFUL LIVING

Dr. Lewis Gregory

The following comments are all too common.  “I just can’t see giving to their ministry since they make their needs known.  Anyone who doesn’t ‘live by faith’ doesn’t get my money.”

What does it mean to “live by faith?”  It simply means that an individual looks to God as his sole source of life and therefore lets Him direct and provide for every detail. 

Christ is revealed as the source of life in Col. 1:16-17, . . . all things were created by Him . . . and by Him all things consist.  Thus, we realize that Christ is all and in all.  In Him we live and move and have our being, physically and spiritually.  This is to be the norm for all Christians since the just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17).

Because a person “living by faith” is under the Lord’s direction, what he does will depend on how God directs.  Such directions may vary as is illustrated in I Kings 18.  God sent Elijah out into the countryside where he waited for his food.  The ravens brought him food there.  Later, however, the Lord directed him to a widow woman who he asked for bread and water.

The real crux of the matter is not what we are doing, but the source of our living.  Is Christ doing the living?  “Living by faith” taps into the source of life and thus results in living.  Are you living?  You are, if it’s “by faith.”

MORE ON FAITH AND FINANCES

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DEALING WITH THE DEMONIC

Dr. Lewis Gregory

        The Apostle Paul cautioned us about Satan’s deceitful ways when He said,  “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:  for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11).  Tragically, that is not the case today.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” would be a much more accurate description of our condition (Hosea 4:6).

Ignorance of Satan’s devices has resulted in large-scale spiritual blindness among God’s people. In Ephesians 6:11-12, the Apostle Paul described the spiritual warfare that we face.  He specifically stated that our struggle is not with people, but rather with the spiritual forces of wickedness.  These wicked spirits are actually Satan’s ministers, disguised as messengers of light in order to deceive God’s people.  These Satanic forces are classified in the Holy Bible as “the powers of darkness.”  The phrase, “powers of darkness,” is a reference to demons or evil spirits.  Both Paul and Christ referred to such wicked forces as demons. 

So, what hope do you have against such demonic forces?  If you have accepted Jesus Christ, you are protected by a much greater power.  “Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).  This means that the indwelling Christ is far greater than the powers of darkness.

Tragically, many Christians are unaware of this.  Therefore, they are constantly engaging in futile attempts to overcome Satan.  Christians have been known to try wearing crosses, clinging to the Holy Bible, chanting the name of Jesus, quoting Scriptures, fasting, and many other things to ward off evil spirits.  Ironically, Satan has already been overcome.  Christ defeated Satan on the cross!  Your union with Christ makes you an over comer.  You have overcome the world!  “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (1 John 4:4).  Overcoming Satan is simply walking in the victory that is already yours in Christ.

So, how can Christians counteract the demonic forces they face?  The Bible refers to resisting the devil, rebuking him, and binding him.  The Apostle James instructed us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  Our Lord Himself firmly rebuked Satan when He said “Get thee behind me, Satan”.  He also spoke about binding Satan on at least two occasions. In Matthew 12:29 and Mark 3:27, Jesus referred to the necessity of binding the “strong man.”  The “strong man” Christ was referring to, according to the context, was Satan.  But we must always remember that Jesus Christ is the strongest man! 

Christ made it clear that it is possible for Satan to be bound from a person’s life.  Following His resurrection, Jesus Christ said this about those who would believe, “In my name shall they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17).  However, this is only possible as we act in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even the archangel Michael, “when contending with the devil . . . said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9).  In Matthew 16:19 Christ explained that believers have the authority to bind Satan.  “Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”  To bind Satan means to curtail his activities, by dispelling any demonic influences from that person’s life. 

You may wonder how these demonic forces can be bound.  They can be bound because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it [the cross]” (Colossians 2:15).  Jesus Christ defeated Satan through His triumphant death, burial, and resurrection!  Thus, He proved Himself to be the strongest man in Heaven and Earth.  Since Satan is a defeated foe, Christ said that we could now bind him by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Therefore, as an over comer, the weapons of your warfare should not be fleshly but spiritual, in order to effectively destroy the works of the devil.  This means that you must recognize your human inadequacies, and yield yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ for the victory.  Then acknowledge that you are now strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10).  Finally, after having done all, just stand.  The victory is assured! 

A word of caution is in order; you must exercise this spiritual authority on behalf of God’s kingdom wisely.  This requires that you deal with the demonic only under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, if the Lord leads you to bind these demonic forces, you must do so in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.  He is the Victor, and only He can evict the enemy. 

Such provisions for dealing with the demonic should compel us to thank God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).  Because you have the Victor, you have the victory!

For further information on this subject read my article on Generational Curses.  

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DECISION MAKING

(Knowing God’s Will)

Dr. Lewis Gregory

Ever since that initial decision by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, people have been faced with the challenges of decision-making.  One obvious fact, which came out of the garden experience, is that people are incapable of making the right decisions.  And yet making the right decisions is the essential precursor to right living.  So, what’s a person to do?

At least 2 things are necessary to make the right decisions.  The first thing is a valid set of guidelines.  This should form the basis of all decision making.  The best set of guidelines is the Holy Bible.  Through it God reveals the quality of life He has for us, and the way we are to live.  The Holy Bible is God’s standard by which we should conduct our lives.  But such profound guidelines require a guide. 

Thus, a guide is the second prerequisite to right decision-making.  Therefore, God graciously sent the Holy Spirit to all who would accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  When we do, we are born of the Spirit (John 3:5-7).  The Holy Spirit indwells us in order to lead us and guide us.  “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).  The Holy Spirit acts as our instructor.  We are blessed with a twenty-four hour tutor!  “He shall teach you all things” (John 14:26).  The Holy Spirit not only instructs us, but He also empowers us to accomplish the task.  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8).  Therefore, you are well equipped for making right decisions, and living life!

So, how should you proceed when faced with difficult decisions?  Because you are a Christian, you want to make the right decisions.  This is indicative of your new nature in Christ.  However, even though you sincerely want to do right, you may still find yourself in a quandary.  Therefore, several things should be taken into consideration. 

1) In order to go God’s way, you must first give up your carnal way of thinking, and cease from all your fleshly efforts.  “For to be carnally minded is death” (Romans 8:6).  “For he that has entered into His rest, has also ceased from his own works” (Hebrews 4:10).

2) Be sure that you are completely yielded to the Lordship of Christ. “Yield yourselves unto God” (Romans 6:13).

3) Allow the Holy Spirit to so control your life that He can control His purposes through you. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

4) Gather all the pertinent facts in order to know what is required of you.  “Count the cost” (Luke 14:28).

5) Trust the Lord to give you an inner peace about the right decision.  “Let the peace of God rule in you” (Colossians 3:15).

6) Ask the Lord to confirm His will by giving you a specific verse of Scripture.  “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).

7) Seek Godly counsel for an additional confirmation.  “In a multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

8) Act decisively!  Step out in bold faith with the confidence that the Lord will bring it to pass. “He... will perform it” (Philippians 1:6).

9) Wait expectantly.  After you have trusted and obeyed the Lord it may be necessary to simply wait patiently upon the Lord to work out the details. “You have need of patience, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).  Patience involves giving God time to work in His time, and in His way.  In Habakkuk 2:3 we are told that though the vision tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come to pass!

God knows exactly what you need, and He will lead you to make the right decisions.  He promises to order your steps if you will let Him (Psalm 37:23).  I pray that as you seek His guidance, you will hear Him say, “This is the way; walk in it.”  And with His guidance, you will make the right decisions!

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GOOD NEWS FOR YOUR WEEK

THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY!

The Word Is:  The mystery . . . which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

                                                                      Colossians 1:27

The Point Is:  The mystery—God’s secret for living is a person, Jesus Christ.  As a Christian, Christ indwells you.  God’s glorious life is now available to you.

The Application Is:  There is hope for you because you are now in union with Christ.  The life of Christ within you is your hope of a grand and glorious life.  Recognize His indwelling presence.  Rejoice that His glorious life resides within you.  Be hopeful!

Have a great week,

Lewis & Lue

Believe it, receive it, print it, post it.
Most of all, live it!

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