Tag: Mark Saunders

Let Him Shape Us Into His Image

A mirror reflects. It has no image of its own. But it’s reflection is not necessarily true – it can be distorted.

boy running in body of water during sunset

Our Christian lives are like mirrors. We’re called to reflect the God’s heart to those around us. How?

Not necessarily by what we say but by the attitude of heart by which we live.

The Apostle Paul spoke about Christ being formed in us. That’s not from bible studies or religiously going to church. The bible as we know it didn’t exist back then. It’s a “molding and forming” that only the Lord can bring from our lives. Like the potter fashions the clay. It’s why we need faith – to let Him shape us into his image.

It all depends on what we want to reflect. Ourselves, someone or something else, or the heart of God?

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  • Mark Saunders

The Message Of The Cross

What is love? What ever our answer, it probably links love to things we like. The problem is that our type of love is often self centered and subject to change.

God’s love on the other hand is different. He showed His love by offering us the life of His only begotten Son Jesus.

God’s intention in this was to give us an example of what love looks like and to show us the depth of His love for us.

The ultimate expression of love is found in the cross. This type of love is ready to loose it’s rights, and ready to keep no record of wrongs.

holding hands

Without the work of the cross in our own lives, the challenge of love is impossible. We need the example of Jesus continually in front of us… the message of the cross… and the Holy Spirit to help us live it.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

  • Mark Saunders

The Fruit Of A Changed Heart

Growth happens progressively. We all grew and were shaped by the environment around us.

A sapling is often attached to a support to help it grow straight. A fruit tree is pruned to let the light in and help it bear more fruit.

Spiritual growth is the same.

Evidence of growth for a Christian is bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our every day lives.

The most powerful fruit of our faith here on earth is not material possessions, it’s not even miracles healings and great teachings. It’s the fruit of a changed heart.

The cross becomes the support to our surrendered lives and hand of the Lord at work in our hearts is our pruning.

The result, Christians that begin to stand out by the fruit of our lives.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

  • Mark Saunders

God’s Grace Will Carry You Through

Life is challenging but challenges can help us grow. The Christian life is certainly not without its own unique set of challenges.

Jesus did not tell us we would not have troubles rather he warned us in advance that we would. Not only did he warn us but he also made a way for us to face them…

Three times, the apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove a “thorn in his flesh.” The Lord replied only once. He said,” my grace is sufficient for you and my power made perfect in weakness”

Paul’s attitude changed. He stopped asking the Lord to take away the “thorn” and accepted that what he needed was to find God’s grace to carry him through.

He was willing to even accept his situation and “take pleasure in it” if it meant that power of God’s grace would rest upon him. He realized that when he was weak in himself then he was his strongest in the Lord.

This reminds us of the words of Jesus in John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NKJV)
  • Mark Saunders

A Place Of Grace And Truth

We all need help at some point. Someone truthful whom we trust and can turn to for help.

Being a follower of Jesus is not always easy. Jesus never said the narrow road would be. That’s why he sent the Holy Spirit – to help us follow Him.

The Spirit of truth will always lead us in the ways of the truth and draw us to Jesus. Why? Because we all need to be brought to a place of grace and truth.

Sunrays coming through the clouds represent the Holy Spirit

Grace doesn’t condemn us but truth does convince us and truth does convict us and then grace leads us to repentance and strengthens us to continue on the narrow road.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

  • Mark Saunders