Introduction to Living Life Inside Out A Journey to the Center of You

1 Thessalonians 5: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

What are we to do when our expectations of the Christian life fail to come true?  Although eternally significant changes occurred at that moment when our sins were forgiven and our names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, the conditions of this life may have stayed the same or even worsened, leaving us feeling disappointed and confused. A Journey Inward

Why are we still experiencing difficulties, pain, and rejection?  The problem is not that God has forgotten about us but that His purposes for our lives are higher than ours. He intends to use each of us for His glory to accomplish something special in and through us. A Journey Inward

God’s Desires for us toward our greater purpose. (Romans 8:28;29)  Although our salvation didn’t result in the elimination of temptations, trials, heartaches, and burdens, God has given us an amazing promise in Romans 8:28: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” A Journey Inward

The Fear of Going Within – (Proverbs 1:2-7; Psalms 139:1-7)  Fear is a powerful motivator. Positive and Negative. A Journey Inward

Sanctification is God’s Higher Purpose. The Lord loves us too much to leave us in our pre- salvation condition. After salvation, He begins the process of shaping us into Christ’s likeness— not physically, but in our thoughts, character, conversation, conduct, and habits. Through a procedure called sanctification, He transforms us by setting us apart for Himself (1 Thess. 5:23). God’s Heart As We Go Inward

Sanctification is both a position and a process. New Position: When we were saved, God gave us a new position in His household as His very own children. However, He has also set us apart and predestined us to become conformed to the image of His Son. From the moment of salvation until He calls us home to heaven, the Lord is committed to achieving this purpose. God’s Heart As We Go Inward

Sanctification is both a position and a process. New Process: God focuses on any habits, attitudes, and thought patterns we have that are not Christlike. However, the process of sanctification requires our cooperation. Just as the Lord doesn’t save us against our will, neither will He transform us into Christ’s image without our consent. When we resist Him, we forfeit the benefits that come with a transformed life.

God uncovers emotions and thought patterns acquired from our environment. We are not always aware of our unintentional attitudes, habits, and feelings. They may have been acquired during childhood or before we became Christians. God knows that fear, doubt, greed, unforgiveness, bitterness, and guilt often originate from past painful experiences. Often we assume that they are just a part of us, but the Lord wants to remove them because they don’t fit our new identity in Christ. Taking the Inward Journey

Poor self-image. Loneliness. Feeling unfulfilled, unloved, and inadequate. What are the results of living with these damaged emotions?

Recognize these emotions. Confess to God. Choose to change. Accept the truth. Realize that healing takes time. How are we to deal with these negative emotions?

Be honest with ourselves. Stop blaming others. Be willing to forgive others. Ask God for healing. Be willing to be disciplined by God. There are steps we can take on our journey to wholeness.

What emotions, attitudes, thoughts, or habits are hindering God’s work of conforming you to the image of His Son? Did any of these originate in childhood? What circumstances caused you to feel or respond this way? How have these damaging emotions or thought patterns affected your life and the lives of others, especially those close to you? Are you willing to let the Lord deal with these hindrances to your sanctification? What promises from His Word can you claim? Questions

God will meet you at the place of your hurt, pain and damage. He will begin with revealing, that leads to healing and finish with wholeness. Good News On Your Journey Inward

Apply and Mobilize Begin to give God permission to meet you on your journey inward. Sign-up for the Inside Out Conference and commit yourself to be open to all God wants to do within your life. Philippians 1:6-7 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Introduction to Living Life Inside Out A Journey to the Center of You