By Bill Gaultiere © 2012

We all want 2012 to be better than 2011 — even if last year was a great year. How does that happen?

Not by having better circumstances. (They always go up and down.)

Not by keeping a typical New Years’ Resolution. (They don’t deal with personal character and besides they fizzle out by February.)

Not by making no resolutions. (It’s a good and necessary thing for all of us to resolve to be and do better, as long we’re inspired by God’s wisdom and relying on his strength.)

Not by following the typical Christian advice: “Three Steps to a Blessed Life” or “Five Biblical Principles to Help You Succeed.” (True life in Christ is so much larger than using God to make our life turn out more like we want it to.)

The Way to a Better Year

“I am devoted to you,” David proclaimed to the Lord (Psalm 86:2). That is the one and only way to enjoy a better year this year than last.

Imagine waking up each day and stepping into the kingdom of the heavens. (It’s not just a far off and way later — it’s wherever Christ is King.) That is the life of beauty, goodness, and adventure that God has for you and I!

I have found that beginning my day with a prayer of dedication to the Lord is the right start to remind me that I am not living from the visible world, but God’s kingdom, invisible and yet more real and glorious than anything I’ve ever seen with my eyes. Then continually, as often as I can remember, I offer up prayers inspired by a fragment from a Psalm or other Scripture.

A Prayer for a Better You

Try this morning prayer of dedication with me:

Good morning Father! Thank you for this day of life you’ve given me. Jesus, be my Lord and Teacher today in all things. You mean everything to me — what a blessing that I am the disciple you love!

O God, whatever happens today, however people treat me, whether or not I succeed in the things I do I will rejoice because I am with you being formed by the Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus, more at peace and more loving to the people near me.

Father, Son, and Spirit I am in you and you are in me! Think with my thoughts. Stir in my heart. Look with my eyes. Speak with my mouth. Love with my hands.

All I want today is to glorify and serve you, my Lord. So I abandon to you the outcomes of this day, trusting that you are good and you are working good in my life — even when it doesn’t feel like it. In Jesus’ name I pray and live. Amen.

This is a prayer to offer from our hearts. It’s an attitude to live by. Why? To exalt the Lord Jesus Christ! To be devoted to God! When we abandon ourselves to God we find that we couldn’t be happier, we couldn’t have a better life  – not matter what our circumstances are at the moment.

More Soul Shepherding

“Devoted to You” is one of my favorite prayers of devotion. It’s inspired by Psalm 86, a special, but little known prayer by the man after God’s heart.

“The Apprentice Prayer” is a prayer of devotion that I wrote during my spiritual renewal that began in 2002.

Is your life devoted to Christ? I think it is or you wouldn’t be reading this! How can we help you to better follow the Good Shepherd in the New Year? Let us know. Soul Shepherding is for you and your ministry. 

Bill & Kristi Gaultiere ~ SoulShepherding.org

By Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. © 2011

“Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: ‘Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.’

“Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.” (Matthew 11:25-27, MSG)

Most of us try to have a prayer life and feel guilty that we don’t spend enough time praying, especially for the needs of others. This is not the right way to think about prayer. Don’t seek a prayer life—seek a praying life, a life permeated with prayer.

Jesus shows us what a praying life is like. Routinely he got alone to pray, often for hours at a time. But his intimate conversation with the Father didn’t stop when he had work to do. He said, “I only do what I see the Father doing” (John 5:19, par).

Jesus’ Example

In Matthew 11 we have an example of Jesus at work in a prayerful way. He was explaining to those following him why some people rejected him and his message. It was getting heated. Until… “Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer.” Then infused with Abba’s love, “Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.”

If you limit your prayerfulness to “quiet times” and church activities and don’t include your ordinary life with problems to solve, work to do, and people to see you’ll live largely separated from God’s grace.

“Abruptly break into prayer”—even if for just a moment—as often as you can remember and the Father’s tenderness toward others will flow through you naturally.

More Soul Shepherding

Worry, more than anything else, is what distracts us from appreciating God’s presence with us. Try turning your worries into prayers. Pick a simple, but deep Breath Prayer from “Bible Prayers to Live Worry Free.”

Do you ever become jealous? Or get competitive? Most people do.

These are problems of insecurity that come from trying to find our value in the things we have, the way we look, or what we do. This is the way of our culture which says, “Blessed are the rich, the good looking, and the successful because they have what the best that the world has to offer.”

Who is Really Well Off?

But Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor and the shy because the kingdom of the heavens is open to them.” But don’t stop there. He would also say, “Blessed are the rich, the good looking, and the successful because the kingdom of the heavens is open to them.” In other words, the great opportunity of anyone’s life is to be alive in God’s kingdom—whatever circumstance they might find themselves in. (See Matthew 5:3-10 and Luke 6:20-23).

If you’re rejoicing in the smile of Christ the King then you won’t be overcome by jealousy or selfish ambition when you see someone who looks to be fortunate. Instead you’ll want to share the blessings of Christ that you’re enjoying. You’ll naturally and routinely “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

Be a Friend of the Bridegroom

John the Baptist’s disciples became jealous and competitive when they saw that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing more people than them. John replied along these lines, “Jesus is the Bridegroom and the people are his bride so of course they want to go to him! I am the friend of the Bridegroom and it’s my great joy to stand at his side, give him praise, and encourage everyone to go to him. Jesus must increase and I must decrease!” (John 3:29-30, paraphrase).

Oh to be a friend of the Bridegroom! There is no greater joy than to draw people closer to Jesus! That’s why we need to eliminate selfish ambition and the insecurity that underlies it by discovering the treasure of God’s kingdom.

A Breath Prayer Exercise

Here’s a Breath Prayer to help us cultivate the faith, humility, and generosity of John the Baptist: “More of Jesus… Less of me” (based on John 3:30).

As you breathe in appreciate Jesus… As you breathe out let go of the sin, striving, stress, or whatever it is that distracts you from Jesus…

It helps to name whatever it is in your life that crowds out Jesus, even to imagine that struggle as you pray: “More of Jesus… Less of me…”

Breathing in, “More of Jesus…” Breathing out, “Less of my striving…” (or worrying or trying to please people or…)

More Soul Shepherding

Here are some of wonderful promises of the blessing for those who open their heart to God and find their true Identity in Christ.

Here are my favorite Breath Prayers from the Bible. So easy to memorize and carry with you as you go about your day. So delightful and transformational to pray from your heart.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

With Ray Ortlund Sr. in 2004

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

Much of who I am comes from my spiritual mentors. The same is true for you. The men or women who you have looked to as Christ’s Ambassadors are used by God to shape you and your ministry to others (2 Corinthians 5:20). Nurturing those relationships and memories is vital.

Ray Ortlund, Sr. was a wonderful spiritual father and soul guide to me. He discipled me to Jesus and God used him to raise me up to start the ministry of Soul Shepherding.

I especially remember Ray looking me in the eyes as we were talking over lunch one day: “Bill, be like Jim Elliot. Be all and only for Jesus! Be on fire and let your life flame out for his kingdom!”

Be All and Only for Jesus

“Be all and only for Jesus.” That’s how Ray lived and it’s how he died. “Spiritually, Ray was strong to the end,” his wife Anne told me recently. “He had many struggles lasting ten to fifteen minutes when he was gasping desperately for air, and when they subsided he would often say, ‘This is God’s gift to me!’—Ray so totally trusted the Lord.”

I keep thinking about Ray gasping for air. Even in those frightening, painful moments in which he couldn’t breathe he relied on Jesus and rejoiced in him.

It’s easy to forget that spiritually we’re all gasping for air continually, desperate for the spiritual oxygen that only comes as we trust in the Lord Jesus who breathes his Spirit into us (John 20:22).

Take a moment now to thank God for someone who has encouraged you to “Be all and only for Jesus.” It’s the breath of life for your soul!

More Soul Shepherding

“The One Benediction You (and Others) Need” is a short post inspired by the Psalm 20 blessing that Ray offered me and my son, who Ray also mentored.

“Be Devoted to Christ like Ray Ortlund.” I wrote this article shortly after Ray died in 2007 to share with others the wonderful, life-shaping lessons that I learned from Ray. I love reading and re-reading these precious insights and you will too!

Soul Shepherding is a ministry for those who minister to others—pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, and other Christian leaders and care-givers. We offer counseling, spiritual mentoring, seminars, and retreats to help people “Be all and only for Jesus.”

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Discipleship to Jesus changes how we live. We gain a new perspective and new resources—a new life takes over our life. We learn to do whatever we’re doing from within God’s kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).

What does this look like? Dallas Willard says it’s like becoming an apprentice to Jesus. It’s not about being religious—it’s about being with Jesus to become like him, holding his hand and learning from him continually.

Learning from Jesus, the Master, changes everything about our lives because it changes us on the inside. What difference does discipleship to Jesus make in our daily lives? It’s huge!

A Plumber’s Story

I love the way Dallas Willard, my personal mentor, explains the practical life transformation that takes place when we apprentice ourselves to Jesus:

Let’s say I’m a plumber and I’m going to clean out someone’s sewer. How will I do this as Jesus would do it? If you encounter difficulties with the people you’re serving or with the pipe or the machinery, you never fight that battle alone. You invoke the presence of God. You expect to see something happen that is not the result of you.

If you train yourself to thank God when those ‘coincidences’ happen, you’ll see them as patterns in your life. The crucial thing is to be attentive to God’s hand, not to get locked into one-on-one thinking: It’s me and this pipe! Never do that. A person has to train himself to think, Now is the time to rely on God and to praise him for the solution that will come to me. That’s called ‘life in God.’ Training brings you to the point where you don’t have to say, “I have to pay attention!” You routinely think, This is an occasion when God is present. This is a time to pray, to praise. (Quoted in When the Soul Listens by Jan Johnson, p. 145.)

It’s Not Just Me and this Pipe!

What has happened for this plumber? God has a solved his problem with the pipe. Yes, but what is far more important is that the plumber has become the kind of person who prays and praises God as he works on broken pipes. That is a miracle because plumbing problems can lead even an expert plumber to become grumpy and irritable! In all the circumstances of his life he knows that the living Christ is with him and so he remains at peace and he is more effective in whatever he is doing because he relies on God’s wisdom and power to help him.

Imagine you being a person like that plumber. Imagine doing your job as Jesus’ apprentice. Imagine doing whatever you’re doing in Jesus’ easy yoke: cooking, caring for your kids, going through your e-mail, driving in traffic, listening to someone who is angry with you, waiting in line at the bank. Doing it all with a smile because Jesus is with you and the two of you are in partnership.

You can learn to live for Jesus. You can be like the man who discovered hidden treasure in a field and joyfully sold everything he had to buy that field. The treasure is knowing Jesus intimately. The field is your life (Matthew 13:44).

More Soul Shepherding

What have a learned from Dallas Willard? A lot! Here are my “Reflections on Dallas Willard’s Ministry to Me.”

How important is it to you to learn to devote your whole life to Jesus? It’s the best life and the easiest life! I my book You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke I show you how living as Jesus’ apprentice can give you peace in any situation of stress.

Through counseling and spiritual mentoring, seminars and retreats we help pastors, ministry leaders, and other servants of the Lord to live in Jesus’ easy yoke.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

“It’s no sweat!” we say when something is easy for us. What if we lived life without sweating? Without straining, hurrying, or worrying?

That’s how Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden—till they separated themselves from God. Ever since people have been working by the sweat of their brow. But we misunderstand this and think that work is the curse. No! We were created by God to rule and reign with him (Genesis 1:28). Work is not the curse—sweat work is the curse.

How do you do your Work?

I talk with a lot of pastors and many other kinds of ministry leaders from presidents to parents and so many of them tend to live by the sweat of their brow. They’re straining to serve God, help people, and accomplish their work for God. Often they’re rushing from thing to thing, running late.

I understand. Most of my life that’s how I lived—till I discovered Jesus’ way.

How about you? Are “sweating it out” as you do your work and face the challenges of your life?

Jesus’ “No Sweat” Way

Jesus redeemed us form the curse, setting us free from sin and sweat too. Often sin and sweat go together. Sweat work—continually straining to do more, faster, and better—is likely to be a manifestation of our pride, relying on ourselves rather than the Spirit of Christ with us. It’s said, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Well, it’s just as likely to be true that “Busy hands are the devil’s workshop.”

The issue is how we do our work—how we serve customers, teach students, parent our kids, clean our house, run errands, and minister to the people in our church. Jesus invites us to do our work in his “easy yoke” (Matthew 11:30). He did his work with a relaxed attitude and a smile on his face—that’s Jesus’ way.

How about stepping into Jesus’ easy yoke today as you do your work? Remember, ”The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

More Soul Shepherding

Recently a Soul Shepherding reader wrote: “I was highly encouraged as I read this blog on hurry. The connection between my own hurried agenda and the sin of pride is an excellent reminder to live in the present moment and celebrate the moments we have been given as a gift from God. This was a great reminder to live in the present grace of God.” If you go to our page on “Overcoming Problems” you’ll find this and other similar articles under the category “Hurry Sickness.”

In my book, “You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke” you’ll find uncommon insights on dealing with stress, creative and refreshing ways of praying Scripture, and an opening to walk the path of life with the Prince of Peace.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Could eight words transform your life for God? Yes! They did for Jesus and they will for you if you pray them from your heart — and keep praying them.

Let me set the stage for these words of power and peace to live in you and I as they did in Jesus…

Jesus’ Way for You

Remember that Jesus was tempted to sin in every way that we are and he experienced all the stresses and pains that we do — and far more besides — and he remained loving toward God and neighbor and always at peace (Hebrews 4:15). The Son of God was also the Son of Man and he had to “grow in grace” just like we do (Luke 2:40, 52; 1 Peter 3:8).

Contrary to popular belief, the key to Jesus’ holiness and success was not his giftedness or asserting himself to make things happen. No. Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing” (John 5:19).

In all things Jesus submitted himself to the Father’s will. He pursued intimacy with the God he called “Papa.” He listed to God’s wisdom through sacred Scripture. He waited for his Father to show him what to do. He relied on the power of the Holy Spirit always.

If you and I want to be like Jesus then we need to do things in the way that Jesus did them — actively submitting ourselves to our Father in the heavens.

The Prayer

On the cross in his moment of most severe trial, greatest need, and most important opportunity Jesus prayed the eight words that change everything: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Jesus borrowed this prayer of submission to God from David (Psalm 31:5) and adapted it by praying it to God as Father. Jesus was able to offer this prayer on the cross because it was already living in him.

This humble prayer defined Jesus — it was his attitude and demeanor always. For instance, we see Jesus’ submission to the Father in his setting aside the privileges of the Godhead to become human, the way he lived on earth as a servant for 33 years, his sacrificial death on the cross, and his sitting at the right hand of the Father in glory.

For Jesus’ prayer to transform your life you need to learn to pray it earnestly from your heart and apply it in all of your daily relationships and activities — each opportunity, each stress or challenge, each hurt and each blessing.

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

More Soul Shepherding

“Put it in the Father’s Hands.” Let me show you how you can use Jesus’ prayer in your life.

“Discover the Secret of Jesus’ Peace and Power.” You’ll be inspired to follow the way of Jesus in this inspirational Bible study of Jesus walking on the water (Mark 6:44’52).

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Christ is risen! What does this mean to how you are living your life today? How are you interacting with the risen Christ as you do what you are doing?

If we’re not careful we go through a typical day relying on our own wisdom and strength without appreciating that the grace of God is with us — we react to situations without following the Spirit’s leading or joining with his love and power.

“Awake my soul!” the Psalmist urges himself (Psalm 57:8). May our minds and hearts awaken to the opportunity at hand, which is the open nail-pierced hand of our risen Lord.

This little devotional will help you participate intentionally in the life that Jesus is right now living all around you. This is the last excerpt from a series of Scripture meditations and applications I’ve written on the ancient Stations of the Cross.

Jesus’ Resurrection is Announced to the Women at the Tomb

Read Scripture

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body… They saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

“’Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you’” (Mark 16:1,4-7).

Pray Scripture

Lord Jesus Christ, you’re alive! You were crucified for us and you’ve risen from the dead! You’ve brought us God’s forgiveness and new life and you go ahead of us wherever we go to care for us and guide us in your peace.

O Risen Christ, forgive me for the ways that I have not worshiped you as the women did on that first Easter morning. Roll away the stone in my life that blocks my vision from seeing you alive and working with me in all that I do. And give me courage to share with others the Good News that you are the Savior and Lord.

Reflect

In what situation in your life are you struggling to see the risen Christ at work? What large stone in your life needs to be moved so that you can better appreciate Christ with you?

Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus

Remove the activity or relationship that is distracting you from worshiping Christ in your midst and being a witness for him to others.

Breathe a Prayer

“The risen Christ goes ahead of me into _______” (~Mark 16:7).

More Soul Shepherding

Join my prayer walk with Jesus. “Follow Jesus on the Stations of the Cross: Enter a Gospel Scene to Participate in Resurrection Life” is my e-booklet  that will foster greater intimacy with Jesus and soul transformation. The 15 two-page devotionals go into greater depth to help you connect powerfully with the presence of the risen Christ in your life. Learn more.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

There is comfort for you in the cross of Christ if you seek it properly.

Many people won’t let themselves feel sad about what they should feel sad about. When they or a loved one suffer from a hurt, lose something important, or struggle with a sin they tell themselves to “be strong” or they busy themselves. They miss out on God’s comfort and may become depressed because they don’t understand the cross.

The cross ministers God’s grace and mercy to us if we grieve in the right way, putting our trust in Jesus Christ and opening our hearts to him. This is the message in the 8th Station of the ancient Stations of the Cross.

Jesus Comforts the Weeping Women

Read Scripture

“A large number of people followed Jesus, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children’” (Luke 23:27-28).

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).

Pray Scripture

Lord Jesus Christ, even as you were suffering under the weight of your cross you offered comfort to the mothers and children who were weeping as they followed behind you. The mothers didn’t understand your cross — they were grieving over the injustice and pain you were experiencing when they needed to grieve for themselves and their children. You showed them that they needed your mercy and forgiveness to begin a new life and so like a mother hen you opened your wings to gather these women and their children close to your heart.

O Jesus, forgive me when I have not relied on you for comfort in my times of need. I pray that I would find refuge under your wings and invite others to join me there.

Reflect

When you’re hurt, disappointed, or struggling do you let yourself feel sad? Where do you tend to go for comfort? Maybe to food, alcohol, unhealthy relationships, busyness, television, or Facebook? What would it look like for you to seek refuge under the wings of the Lord Jesus, making him the center of your thoughts, desires, and activities?

Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus

Deny yourself something you turn to for comfort (or to avoid feeling sad) in order that you would learn to rely on Christ alone as your source of true comfort and then be in a better position to share his comfort with others.

Breathe a Prayer

“Lord Jesus… cover me with your wings.”

Just a Few Retreat Rooms Left!

Join me for a special time of intimacy with Jesus April 5-6 at “On Cross Roads,” our Soul Shepherding retreat at Prince of Peace in Oceanside, CA. Can’t come? We can customize a “Soul Therapy Day” for you or your group anytime, anywhere.

More Soul Shepherding

“Comfort for the Lonely” and “Lightposts for the Depressed” are short articles featuring topical Bible verses for your soul.

In the ministry of Soul Shepherding we help pastors, pastor’s wives, and other servants of Christ who need God’s comfort.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Temple of Artemis in Ancient Ephesus

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

In 1989 Right after I earned my Ph.D. in psychology I lost most of my psychotherapy clients. For one reason or another they discontinued and new referrals were not coming in to replace them. I had spent eight years and over $100,000 o on my education toward serving the Lord Jesus as a psychologist and I had only two or three clients to see each week. Most of my income at that time came from my other job as a security guard – I was the “Dr. of Security!”

I prayed and prayed for God to use me to help people who needed counseling, but for one year nothing changed. I was frustrated with God. I questioned my calling. I felt inadequate. I became depressed.

Then I sensed God say, “Bill, why are you so distressed? Don’t look to your Ph.D., your income, or what people think of you for your identity and well-being. Learn to find your significance in Christ – hold your head high because you belong to me!”

Rising and Falling Self-Esteem

Over the years I have talked with many people whose self-esteem rises and falls depending upon their circumstances. They feel good about themselves if they succeed or if people approve of them.

We all know this insecure experience because that’s what it’s like to be a child. Children are dependent upon their parents and have to establish their sense of self and their identity. But many of us have grown up physically, but not emotionally and we don’t have a strong sense of identity as a person who is loved and significant to God and others – no matter what we do or what people say about us.

I have found that pastors, ministry leaders, and caregivers of all kinds especially struggle with this. They become so focused on their ministry to others that this becomes their source of identity and self-esteem. If their service, care, or teaching is appreciated then they feel fulfilled, but when they are criticized, underutilized, or not noticed then they feel insignificant.

Helping others is important, but it is a secondary source of identity. Jesus taught us that we are branches that need to abide in him, the True Vine, even as he abided in the Father – then we will bear much fruit in the power of the Spirit (John 15:1-17). Effective ministry comes out of our intimacy with Jesus, which comes, in part, by participating in community with other Christ-followers.

The False Gods of Ephesus

Recently I walked the streets of ancient Ephesus in modern day Turkey. They had the temple of Artemis there and people came from miles in all directions to bring offerings of worship to this false god. Others in Ephesus worshiped the emperor Nero. Many, like Demetrius and his guild of silversmiths, used Artemis for profit by making and selling shrines – they found their source in money. And many practiced magic and sorcery inspired by Artemis. Others frequented the brothel near the temple.

Is it any different today? Our false gods may be more subtle – we call them “compulsions” or “entertainments.” Just as the people of ancient Ephesus we need to learn to draw our personal sustenance from an identity that is rooted “in Christ.”

“In Christ” Promises

In his New Testament letters the Apostle Paul teaches us to root our identity “in Christ.” Nearly 150 times he shares beloved promises from God on how blessed we will be if we will find our all and all in Christ alone. The book with the highest concentration of “in Christ” promises is Ephesians.

I’d like to share with you seven of God’s “in Christ” promises from Ephesians. They form a progression for a life that is growing in God’s grace, apprenticed to Jesus Christ to become more and more like him from the inside out: secure, loved, esteemed, purposeful, strong – no matter what circumstances we face. You’ll want to pray these promises out loud, inserting your name in the blank:

In Christ __________

• is chosen by the Father (1:3)
• is forgiven of all sins (1:7)
• is sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13)
• has the incomparable riches of God’s grace (2:7)
• is not far away, but has been brought near to God (2:13)
• can approach God with freedom and confidence (3:12)
• is a shining light to bless others (5:8)

Hide God’s Word in your Heart

I put these promises on a little sheet of paper to carry in my pocket and I memorized them so I could meditate on them over and over. What could be more important than learning to accept and live out our identity in Christ?

To help you internalize these promises you need Christ’s Ambassadors in your life to show you God’s unconditional love and encourage you in the way of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). And they need you too so make sure to share these promises with others. Pray them for people God puts on your mind. Pass them on to friends as God’s words of affirmation.

We ask you to pray about the possibility of partnering with us to bring the ministry of Soul Shepherding to people who need to live and minister to others  “in Christ.”

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

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