1. Living life to the full January 9, 2011

2. Romans 8 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

4. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteous-ness. This body we live in is going to die; indeed it can be said to be dead already. I am a spirit, I have a soul, I live in a body. But I am a spirit , born of God . Jesus lives in me, and He is Righteousness . He is Life , and that gives me life -- Abundant life -- all the way -- to the full.

5. We need to make this an every day confession: "I am fully alive in my Lord, Jesus Christ." Galatians 5 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. These are the qualities of life that God's Holy Spirit produces in the lives of God's children.

6. I am not just barely making it; I am living life to the full. I am filled with love, because Love lives in me. I am happy , because God produces joy in my soul. I am at peace within and without, because God's Spirit produces peace in my spirit. I can be patient in all circumstances and with all people , because God has given me patience. Gentleness Goodness Faithfulness Meekness Temperance

7. We must stop making negative , untrue confessions. Confess the Word of God: Philippians 4 13 I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. "Though I have not seen Jesus, I love Him and have put all my faith in Him, and therefore, my life is joy unspeakable and full of glory." Paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:8 "I am not afraid , and will not live in fear , because God has given me the Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Paraphrase of 2 Tim 1:7

8. 11 But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive; bring to life) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Too many Christians feel dead , and are ruled by how they feel.

9. God says His Spirit has given me life, so I am alive and well. Life is good when God lives in us and through us. Life, Joy, and Peace are ours now and forever.

10. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. We don't owe the flesh anything!! What good thing has your carnal nature ever done for you ? At best, perhaps a momentary pleasure ; A short-lived thrill; An adrenaline rush .

11. But when the pleasure , the thrill , or the rush is gone, with what are you left ? An unsatisfied longing for more. Ecclesiastes 1 (NIV) 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are weari-some , more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

12. No one can ever be made satisfied and content with the things of flesh. When it's all over, you will want more, bigger, better, faster, or more thrilling.

13. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. So, clearly the desires and whims of the flesh do not bring life to the full, nor even satisfaction. We who want life to the full -- I'm talking about wide open , joyous, rich life -- -- Joy unspeakable and full of glory -- We live after the things of God.

14. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. There's a difference between being born of God, as an infant, And becoming a mature son or daughter of God. Taken from: The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty. A mature child of God is not led around or controlled by his fleshly desires and cravings. He is led by God's Holy Spirit.

15. There is a difference in having the Lord in one's heart in the Person of the Holy Ghost, And in being submitted unto the Power of God and the leadership of His Holy Spirit. The spiritual difference is as significant as the physical difference between an infant and a man.

16. When we are gladly doing those things which God has called us, gifted us, and leads us to do, We will find it to be life : Satisfying , joy-filled , peace with contentment ,

17. John 10 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life , and that they might have it more abundantly . The devil offers the world, its things, and its pleasures, but they are just bait .

18. Jesus offers us Himself , and a life of Love , joy , and peace that the world can't give. "I love God's Way of Living Best of All." Because of the life He gives us when we live it His Way .