LOVE THAT GROWS WITHIN
A collection of devotional series for women
BY LUCIA BRACHO

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely reject and disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. For if you choose self-sacrifice and lose your lives for my glory, you will continually discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will forfeit what you try to keep.” (Matthew 16:24-25 TPT)

What is to be Christ-like?

 As a Christian woman who’s almost 27, to be Christ-like means to unquestionably surrender my life daily and follow Him. I know, I know…you have probably heard this before, but there is a whole process behind picking up your cross and following Jesus. You see, following Him is the easy step; consistency is where it gets tricky. What is this girl talking about? Yes, I am reading your mind now (of course not! But that’s probably what you’re thinking.)

You see, to make the decision of following Jesus is the first step to be Christ-like. It is the most important decision of your life—it is where your journey begins. God chose you and predestined you to be His child for eternity, and you have a mission to accomplish on earth. He will transform you, He will equip you, and He will elevate you in His appointed, divine time. You heard it well, in His time, not yours. While the promise awaits (Habakkuk 2:3), you have a responsibility on your hands, and that is to be His ambassador, a good representative of Heaven.

How do I do that? Well, let me tell you!

Honor the process

 Maybe you have heard about the parable of the sower. (Matthew 13:1-23) All in all, it is important what we plant in our hearts, in our lives, and where we plant ourselves.

In the latest City Church sermon, I recall Pastor Kent Munsey saying, “There is a time for everything under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) “There are seed, time, and harvest.” In his message, Pastor Kent encouraged us all to be joyful and to continue to sow, and I couldn’t agree more with that other than to add: be consistent. We surely face trials and difficulties along the way, and yes, often it can feel like a spiritual roller coaster, but hey…can I remind you that Jesus overcame it all? He won. End of story. Can I encourage you today to position your heart closer to His so His love, joy, grace, and everything that comes from Him falls over your life?

 Embrace the trials

 When I hear the word ‘trials’ my mind immediately associates it with tragedy. I know, super dramatic, right? But what I’ve come to learn is that, first of all, fear is a liar, Second of all, it is a learned behavior. And thirdly, I have the mind of Christ - a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Hebrew translation for trial is massah, which simply means test. Author Rick Warren shares his perspective about trials in his book, The Purpose Driven Life. What stood out for me in chapter four was the fact that everything you do: how you react, how you serve, the way you work, how you interact with people, family, friends, and strangers, matter.

Everything is a trial/test; some of them we are able to easily recognize, but others are as invisible as the air we breathe. But everything around us serves its purpose and direct us, in alignment, with the father to fulfill our mission. Everything is borrowed, nothing is really ours. Isn’t that amazing? Wow! Rick Warren surely knows how to drop the mic!

God gave you a name…use it!

 We are called children of God for a reason. God handpicked you to be part of His amazing family called the Bride of Christ! As Jesus stick to the name He was given; Son of God made of flesh and bones, fully human, fully God. You too, stick to the name He has given you. Take ownership, claim it and proclaim it! If Jesus endured, you can too because He lives inside you! (Preaching voice on)

Defend your position at all cost, as He has a zeal for you, and would do anything for you-I mean, He literally died for you--would you do the same for Him? Would you have the same zeal for God and His kingdom?

I can’t tell you, truly, how much He loves you and delights in you, child of God. Would you allow Him fully to embrace you and use you in mighty ways?

Power bullets

• Are you unquestionably following Jesus?

• How do you define a Christ-like life?

• Remember, consistency is the key. If you are faithful in the little you will be faithful in the abundant (Luke 16:10).

• Our time on earth is temporary, focus on fulling your God-given mission (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

• Everything you do matters, so you better do it unto the Lord girl!

• You have a name-own it!

Prayer of the week

Beautiful Lord, thank You for predestining me to be part of the family of Christ. I pray to become more like you, to bring You honor in everything I do, to be an excellent ambassador of Heaven! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!