 Dependent and Free
|
He who has died with Christ,
buried with Christ,
and risen with Christ
has been freed from sin.
(Romans 6:5, 7)
Jesus said, "If you abide with Me,
you will bear much fruit,
for apart from (independent of) Me,
you can do nothing."
(John 15:5)
On July 4, 1776, 56 men co-signed, "Appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world...we solemnly declare these united colonies ought to be free and independent States." This was a declaration to be free and independent from the king of England's rule, but also a declaration to be dependent on God the Supreme Judge.
The words free and independent go together so well. However, apart from the phrase dependance on God, the words free and independent actually result in an abusive and destructive dependence, as our forefathers well knew.
INDEPENDENT AND IN BONDAGE
I am so blessed to live in these United States of America, the greatest country on earth.
However, for years I lived in independence from God and in dependence and bondage to
the American Dream.
Many people in this free country live independent from God and, by default, live dependent on other things, such as drugs, money, family, job, feelings, regrets about the past, worries about the future, etc. We can even live dependent on ministry and good works to give us life.
However, dependence on any thing other than God to provide us life only leads to sin and death. Why? Because true life is only in God. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am THE life."
DEPENDENT AND FREE
In 1977, I declared my dependence to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and I became truly free! I live in the greatest country on earth, yet this country is not my home. I'm just a pilgrim passing through. I live and experience freedom in Christ while I am in this country. He is my true home, both now and forever!
The answer to this next question is going to sound obvious, but it is really profound. Why do I find myself growing to depend on Christ more and more? Because I am dependent on Him! God raised me a new man united with (vitally dependent on) Christ. And because the risen Christ is free, I too am free indeed (John 8:36)! By faith, I can choose to live out of that reality.
Sometimes we try so hard to depend on Christ when God has already made us dependent on Him! It is like a man being on life-support and then striving to depend on life-support rather than simply resting and responding in the truth that he is already dependent on life-support.
CLOSING
God bless you as you experience Christ's strength through your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and Christ's freedom through your dependence on Him!
  |
|
PS
The schedule for the Grace Life Conference is October 4-6. Please pass this good news on to others!
The conference will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church just outside of Spartanburg SC.
I am looking forward to teaching this conference and to partnering with others to pray and plan for the conference!
This conference is for blue-collar and white-collar workers, homemakers, the unemployed, the disabled, the retired, and college students. In other words, the conference is for every adult, young and old!
|
|
About 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Randy Garrick
Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
|
Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
 
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
|
Ministry News
Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013.
Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!
Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office at Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.
Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,and Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC.
Carole and Joy, along with 6 ladies trained through Journey in Christ, are providing more discipleship training to female employees at an industrial plant in Aug 15 through Oct 3. A glorious time of transformation.
Our ministry partner Joye Benfield of Grace Ministries Hickory was a blessing to our 9 students as she taught the 4th of 8 sessions for our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training Sept 13-15.
Michael is leading a weekly small group for Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville this Fall.
|
Archives
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
|
Contact Info
New mailing address!
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
655 Fairview Road
Suite H-188
Simpsonville SC 29680
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
|
|
