Step 1

You do realize that Step 1 doesn't always work... yes? Step 1 is precisely that - the first step! Are you going to give up at the beginning? Even when that first step isn't your best 'first'... is the goal worth pursuing? While it may not be easy, will you learn from the lack of success of Step 1? If you believe that the Lord has called you to (fill in the blank) then if Step 1 is 'wrong', it's a stumble. Stop. Take a look at what you are doing, HOW, seek the Lord's direction, and then develop your strategy. Personally I've never seen only a first step... but I could be in error. 

This is seemingly always a time of 'rubber meeting the road' and little time to logically assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. ACT is what's needed! Really? Do you want to compound the original 'wrong' step? There are many ways of saying, 'now what'? You've exhausted your resources, and your 'favors', your energy, all that you think you have... what now? Obviously, we all tend to try and still do (fill the blank) on our own to prove to ourselves as well as others that 'we've got this'. What happens when we really don't have 'it'? Or we start with a flourish and then peter out because we are trying to do 'it' on our own. Why do we seem to be so intent on proving our worth, ability... and to whom?

   "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless 

    it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; 

    you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears 

    much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5, AMP)

Actually... read the entire chapter (15) until it becomes a foundation for you, until you know with that deep and confident knowing what should be our mindset, our first thought. Following close on this is remembering: 'if the Lord calls you to it, He will equip you for it..'.  Doing 'it' solely on our own can allow disaster into the situation, and that need not be the case. 

Step 1 does usher in the next step. Perhaps that's the problem? You've got a great beginning but no middle, nothing leading to further success. Once started, is there a plan? Is there a continuance? Have you envisioned the entire process from start to finish? 

   "The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established 

    by the Lord, And he delights in his way [and blesses his path].

    When he falls, he will not be hurled down, Because the Lord is the 

    One who holds his hand and sustains him." (Psalm 32: 22-24, AMP)

If our beginning, our Step 1 begins with the Lord, then we see that our steps will be ordered. However, it is verse 24 that brings hope - the Lord holds our hand so even when we fall, we aren't overcome. Step 1 may not be completely the 'perfect' first step, but if what we are doing is what the Lord is leading us in... then we know that there are further steps and that He is with us. 

 

Touching Lives

I believe with all my heart that touching lives is the single most important thing we can do - every day. Today is not only the first day of your life... it could be the last, how do you want it to be remembered? What do you want to 'accomplish'? What's important? I would argue that touching lives is without question the most important focus of our day and IS being about our Father's business. But 'Touching Lives' includes MORE than leading someone to a saving knowledge and accepting the Lord. Remember that His Commission talked about 'making disciples' - that's our responsibility every day whether by correction or discovery helping others when and where we can and living our lives, to the best of our ability, according to this standard.

Today is my 80th birthday. So... maybe I'm more aware (concerned about? or focused on?) about how I do my 'today' than other people(?). Shouldn't be so. Each day is our 'today' and how we use it is critical. But doing your 'today' shouldn't be stressful, your focus should be on what's at your hand... and then do that. If you focus on your today purpose, you'll not feel you may have missed it... because you won't. The 'at hand' doesn't need to be dramatic... sometimes a smile can be the best thing you do in the day. Also, probably the reality is that yes, there will be times you do miss it. But your focus shouldn't be looking backward, but forward. My brother always told me, when we were out golfing, that simply because I made a bad shot doesn't mean that my next one had to be bad as well.

Do you appreciate what an honor it is to be included in touching others for the Lord? It's no little thing. I have often quoted the well used phrase that we may be the only Bible someone else reads. True. Once we realize and accept that regardless of what we know, when we give to the Lord all that we are and have, He can turn this into a life that touches lives. (Matthew 4:19)

   "But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, 

    giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give 

    a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope 

    and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet 

    [do it] with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, AMP)

Touching lives is how we relate and communicate who the Lord is in our lives, so each 'communication' is different. We rarely know if we are planting seeds, watering them, or reaping a harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6, AMP) and it doesn't matter because it's all important, all part of the process. The Lord's simply invited us into the opportunity. So all we need do is to be aware of touching lives and providing our best witness. 

You want to live a fruitful and meaningful life? You want to make a difference? You want to honor the Lord in who you are and what you do? Then you must begin with the Lord's instructions... "Abide." (John 15:4-11) When we grasp and understand how this influences and directs us then you know... not just hope, KNOW you are touching lives.

   

   "Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders 

    (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as 

    something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and 

    pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer 

    each one [who questions you]." (Colossians 4:5-6, AMP)

This is how we touch lives. It's the Lord who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7). And I quickly add that this is how we touch and encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We all need that smile.

Equipped

Actually, do you go into your day consciously equipped? Do you make certain you have all the resources you need to do your day? Frivolous questions? Hardly! Assuming of course that your goal for the day is to be fruitful, fulfilled, and effective. Yes, I know... you don’t have time for all the prep work - but we all need to take the time, consciously schedule it if necessary. Unless we are prepared we could experience what happened to the 5 foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) - disaster!

There’s that word again - consciously. It means to not leave anything to chance (which is not the same as nor opposite to spontaneous) but to consider seriously and purposely, and I would quickly add, especially the Lord's favor. Remember that one could argue that there are 2 types of equipping: spiritual and secular. Specifically, two of Webster's definitions of 'conscious' are: 

   "done or acting with critical awareness. conscious effort to do better;

    capable of or marked by thought, will, design, or perception". 

As you can see, it is not capricious, insensitive, nor unthinking behavior. It's not leaving 'things' to chance, but by preparing, being able to effectively respond. 

The point is... we CAN go into our day prepared. But this is our choice, our decision. 

We need to consider our foundation, which I would argue is spiritually equipped.  

   "A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides 

    himself [from it], But the naïve continue on and are punished [by 

    suffering the consequences of sin]." (Proverbs 22:3, AMP)

   "Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts 

    and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be 

    courageous; be strong. Let everything you do be done in love 

    [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us]." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, AMP)

These 2 verses indicate our mindset of preparation, what we need to be aware of and how to respond. These are spiritual equippings and preparations. 

When we consider secular/natural equipping and preparations, one approach could be... "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember a professional built the Titanic but an amateur built the ark." I love this quote (author unknown):And that does need to be part of our equipping, according to me. We need to have an adventurous spirit - a creative mind. a willingness to take 'calculated' risks. At the same time, we need to be wise and not go into places where angels fear to tread. And yes, that is a very thin line to walk. (Colossians 1:8-19)

The beginning and ending in equipping is realizing that we are spiritual beings and can only feel less than prepared when we only look to the world for our equipping. And yes... we are IN the world, but we are never OF it. 

   "For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything 

    necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true

    and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and

    excellence." (2 Peter !:3, AMP)

Someone said: "The more thoroughly equipped, the more we will bear fruit to the glory of God."

Do you believe?

Or maybe the question is what do you believe? What are those beliefs, standards, etc. that you stand unwaveringly upon, and what is your authority for these? Do your words and actions confirm this? Do you remember the question about when Jesus returns will He find faith? Do you believe He will return? And, back to the opening question, what do you base your what on?

   "Jesus said to her, 'I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes 

    in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies; 

    and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do 

    you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26 AMP)

You may intellectually agree with Jesus' words, but do they also have a heart connection? Do the words not only confirm your beliefs but also provide your basis for faith? It may sound simplistic but I believe that Who and What we believe should be evident in our words and actions. Our confidence and character is partially defined by our consistency. And nothing is more elemental nor critical then that we are 'what you see is what you get'.

   "Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, 

    and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the 

    unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making 

    the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage 

    of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because 

    the days are [filled with] evil. Therefore do not be foolish and thought-

    less, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. Do 

    not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), 

    but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him." 

    (Ephesians 5:15-18, AMP) 

This covers all the 'whys' and 'whats'. And, without using the word, witness, it tells us what our daily actions and mindsets need to be. We have such a strong foundation and with wide pillars to give us strength and protection as we go forth in the day. There can be little doubt that the day is evil... then again, this could probably be applied in every age.

We are told in 1 Peter 3;15

   "But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving 

    Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical]

    defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident

    assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness 

    and respect."

I would argue that we all display who and what we believe by our words and actions. In the final analysis, perhaps we all are, on some level, saying help my unbelief:

   "Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible 

    for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” Immediately the father of 

    the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, “I do believe; 

    help [me overcome] my unbelief.” " (Mark 9:23-24, AMP)

 I just heard a wonderful comment by Dr. David Jerimiah that shines the light of understanding and focus:

  "Put your faith in the One who is with you over that which is around you." 

Scriptural or Secular Understandings

Misunderstandings? Scripture isn't conflicted or confused... we are. We do the misunderstanding. I would argue that the reason, or at least a contributor, is that we apply secular definitions, interpretations, understanding to spiritual matters. You have to apply spiritual understandings to spiritual issues, questions. Scriptural and Secular are more than simply... opposites.

   "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit

    who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] 

    things freely given to us by God. We also speak of these things, not in

    words taught or supplied by human wisdom, but in those taught by the

    Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual thoughts with spiritual words

    [for those being guided by the Holy Spirit]." (1 Corinthians 2:12-13, AMP)

"combining and interpreting spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" - our methodology. Let me illustrate. One if the more contentious arguments among Christians is the issue of spiritual gifts. The more conservative end of the continuum do not believe the gifts are relevant for today. The opposite end would argue that scripture doesn't support that view. Both can't be right. 

   "But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the 

    teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness 

    [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding 

    them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he 

    is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. But the spiritual man [the 

    spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines 

    and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no 

    one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual

    nature]. For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as 

    to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His 

    thoughts and purposes]." (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, AMP)

This is only one scripture that speaks to this issue of understanding. And... this explains why we have so many denominations. You did see the last sentence - "But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]." That's who should be our authority. Also, we ALL should approach every contentious topic with this mindset. Our 'filter' should always be the Lord and His Word. If/When it's an issue of how to apply the understanding, then we need to be very certain of our stand and the scriptures that support it. WE are never the final authority... for that matter, I would argue that we are never the authority, period.

Too often we are 'accused' of majoring on the minors - those issues that are a matter of personal choice not scriptural. This is the time of a blurred line between scripture and secular. It's not necessary to confirm personal choice but we better know our whys of believing. Nor do we need to expect others to always affirm and follow the same choices. It's our differences that provide the 'iron sharpening iron' opportunities for growth and understanding never separation.

Bottom line truly is to NOT apply secular understandings or take scripture out of context to confirm our beliefs. If we discover that this is what we're doing, then it's time to stop and discover scripture's responses to spiritual matters.

The Woman Question

Often the phrase, the woman question, is used to identify what happens to women. I would argue that 'to' is the proper adjective, not 'for'. So often, even in the church, it is used as an excuse but certainly not in favor of women. But when it comes to Christianity, what is woman's 'place'? (Genesis 2:18, 21-23 AMP) 

   "Now the Lord God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; 

    I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is]

    suitable and complementary for him.”  

                                                        ... 

   "So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, 

    He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. And the rib 

    which the Lord God had taken from the man He made (fashioned, formed) 

    into a woman, and He brought her and presented her to the man. Then 

    Adam said,

       “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh;

         She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”" 

But... do men and women understand and realize what this means, how the relationship should be? I doubt it. And I do believe that women are just as 'confused' as men because so often it is phrased/answered in terms of equality. But ‘equal’ is rarely defined, merely generalized to if man ‘has’ (fill in the blank) then women should too! You do realize that there are areas that women and men will never be 'equal' nor do they need to be. But it isn't a blanket statement to be applied across the board to every situation. Again, the question - when it comes to Christianity, what is woman's 'place'? I've always wondered if anyone has stopped to consider what is man's place. Superior, authority are not the proper adjectives. And how do Paul's words apply? 

I must admit that a verse later on in Genesis may have confused this question. Or... is it meant to give meaning?

   "Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our

    image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual person-

    ality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over 

    the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire 

    earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.” So 

    God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God 

    He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27, AMP)

Does Genesis 2 contradict Genesis 1? Of course not. Scripture confirms scripture and is not in contradiction. Personally, I think that Chapter 2 expands on Chapter 1's verses. However more important is the New Covenant verses:

   "For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with 

    the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, 

    you have taken on His characteristics and values]. There is [now no 

    distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither 

    slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] 

    are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. And 

    if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s

    descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise." 

    (Galatians 2:27-29, AMP)

This is our standard. This is how relationships should be practiced. And this is how we respond to the 'women's question'. Perhaps the problem is one of how to scripturally apply the method? Maybe the 'fault' is more how women have demanded a hearing and men's reaction to how this affects their 'position'? So have I answered the question, The Woman Question? Or have I only added further misunderstanding? No and Yes? 

Actually I think that both men and women tend to try and ignore the issue. But if it is still a question in the 'church world' then it isn't answered. And equality is not part of the answer. My belief is that we ALL have a place, a part, a role, a gift and the same Lord. This is who we should look to, both men and women, and He will provide the answer.

Your Reputation

Your reputation precedes you? Know what it is? Do others know of you before they meet you? Have you carefully sculpted what and how you present you (and does your behavior prove it)? Have you designed you? Or are you one who lets the chips fall where they may, the old 'what you see is what you get'? These various presentments aren't necessarily incompatible, nor are they complete. My question is do You know your reputation and is it 'fair' and what you want? What kind of reputation would you like to create?

   "A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral 

    courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;

    And favor is better than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1, AMP)

Do you believe this? That your rep is 'earned'. And favor is critical, especially in those times that we don't display our adult us. But it's the 'personal integrity' that I believe is the most crucial. Interestingly enough, it is typically individually defined and operationalize... but also applied to others. Without integrity... who are we? There are many verses that speak to personal integrity, especially in Proverbs. When you search them out, you'll understand just how important it is and how it does define you.

   "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than a [rich] man 

    who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool." (19:1, AMP)

   "He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,

    But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished." (10:9)

Consider your own reactions to others. How much of whether you believe and trust them is based on how you view their integrity? If it's important to you in your relationships with others, then it also must mean that others view you according to their understanding of your integrity. Also you can see that integrity is a descriptor of character. They are impossible to separate.

Suppose you have not presented the best example you could and wish to improve your reputation? Possible? Of course. Ours is a God of second chances (remember Jesus comment that we should forgive others seventy times seven - Matthew 18:22)? If God is willing to give us multiple second chances then we should do the same for ourselves and others. Never forget that Your reputation is yours to create... so you can also refine it. How? Do and Say those things that bring life to others, speak the truth in love. Doing these 2 alone, over time, will provide a foundation for others to grant us the grace of growing and changing...a person with a good reputation. 

Our standard, I would recommend, comes from Titus 2:7, AMP

   "And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with 

    purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], 

    dignified,"

Remembering

Do you? When the focus of your remembering is who the Lord is and what He's done in your life... your faith is increased. Have you ever considered that in the act of remembering you are building up your faith? Before you take credit for the 'good' that came out of the situation... think again. Remember those times when there really didn't seem to be any positive way out of or to resolve the situation and then... lo and behold, there was? Had you brought the situation to the Lord seeking His involvement? Regardless, if you are His, it was His hand that brought the final 'good report' - whether that was health, a financial need, relationships, etc. It is always His hand that gives us our good report.

   "I will [solemnly] remember the deeds of the Lord; Yes, 

    I will [wholeheartedly] remember Your wonders of old. 

    I will meditate on all Your works

    And thoughtfully consider all Your [great and wondrous] deeds." 

    (Psalm 77:11-12, AMP)

   "I will give thanks and praise the Lord, with all my heart;

    I will tell aloud all Your wonders and marvelous deeds." (Psalm 9:1, AMP)

A great many 'I will'. I think the point in the Psalm verses are to remind us that we are involved in our remembering. Because though the Lord is with us, though He leads us, though He provides ways... we have to also follow. And I have never believed that 'follow' was a passive and mindless word. Following is intentional - we chose to follow and if our minds and hearts aren't involved, we'll not see the results and learn.

A related behavior to remembering is pondering. Another word is 'meditate'. So remembering includes pondering and meditating. There are many (77) verses that talk about remembering:

   "...remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, 

    alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the 

    covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the 

    world." (Ephesians 2:12, ESV)

Remembering is not a negative word and only used to show us where and when we erred. It's also an encouragement of when we did know what to do and acted on that and the results were based on this. Actually, remembering is a kind of 'neutral' word. It's in the learning, growth, maturing that results from our remembering that defines the effects. Don't dismiss or ignore your memories. Let them be a guide - both the good and the bad.

Don't dismiss remembering too quickly. We have learned that if we don't remember the lessons of history then we are bound to repeat them. Whether the learning was painful or painless, it is always profitable because we can always learn. Some focus too much on the lessons from good memories and some only on the negative learnings in bad situation. We need both because both provide foundations on which we build. I speak often about living in the now. But remembering isn't in conflict. Always use what you've learned, think/plan for/about tomorrow, and do it all in your now.

Pray... how long?

Have you ever wondered how long you should pray about (fill in the blank)? I have. The simple answer is... until the answer manifests. And that statement leads to... whose answer do you pray for? Do you think that some of your prayers have 'forever' stamped on them? Do you use the prayer of agreement? How effective a prayer warrior do you think you are? Or... are you not a warrior? Bottom line - are you seeking an answer or the Answerer? A great number of questions on a variety of perspectives about prayer. And, in my world, all relevant. Until we know who we are as prayers, how can any of these questions and others be answered? As a person of prayer, who are you and how do you go about praying? And... are you growing as a person of prayer?

   "Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all 

    times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart," (Luke 18:1, AMP)

I remember thinking (and still believe) that if Jesus felt the need to go away and pray, how much more important is it for us? When you look at the 'what' and 'how' of Jesus' praying, I believe we have a model of how we should pray. One component that I discovered was that Jesus did pray for Himself. So, praying for yourself is also important. Also we have Jesus' words:

   "Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on 

    seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door 

    will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, 

    and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, 

    it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8, AMP)

It's the 'keep on asking' that forms part of an answer to our 'how long'. But there's more - the following verses give us the 'why' and the results from our asking, seeking, knocking.

   "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will 

    [instead] give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give

    him a snake? If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how 

    to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more 

    will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good 

    and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him." (v. 9-11)

Whoever, ourselves/others, and whatever is the focus of our prayers, this is our 'formula': simply... keep on keeping on, especially if we want to be an effective person of prayer. However, rarely is prayer a one and done. We also need to be alert to the content of the prayer. Prayer is never mindless. But, how important is the Answerer in this? Do we focus so much on that which are our concern(s) that we don't consider who we are approaching with our wants and needs?

Remember what Jesus taught His disciples when asked about prayer? He did give us a prayer but He also gave us the method/pattern (Matthew 6:8-13)

   "Pray, then, in this way: 

    ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom

    come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread.

    And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go

    of both the wrong and the resentment].

    And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

    For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'"

All the components of praying are contained in Jesus' example. When it comes to your 'how long', then the answer is - however long it takes you to discuss with the Father these areas of concern. 

Perhaps the issue is your 'how' of praying, not 'how long'. Quite honestly, though this may sound presumptuous, I don't think the issue is how long, I believe the Father enjoys it when we take the time to be with Him. Whether we are just talking about our lives, interceding for someone or something, the point is that we begin with seeking Him. All this can take all day... and maybe that's the point. He tells us to abide in Him. He seeks our fellowship and that is mind blowing. Even in our daily midst, we can spend the day with the Lord.

In Him

If you are a Christian, you are in Christ (Romans 3:22-24). “In Christ” is used 77 times in the New Testament, 74 times by the Apostle Paul. I think Paul was intent on letting the new Christians know Who their source was. 

   "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed 

    us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as 

    He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be 

    holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:3-4)

If you want to try an 'interesting' experiment, then read Ephesians and in every place that the words - in Him, in Whom - put your name with those words. Example, using my name in those same verses: 

   "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed 

    [Carolyn] us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 

    even as He chose [Carolyn] us in Him before the foundation of the world, 

    that we should be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:3-4)

Trust me... you will gain a whole new understanding of Who you are and How you are seen by the Father when you add your name. Point: if this is how He sees us, then we need to become who and what we are and are becoming. Remember... if isn't of our own abilities, we didn't save ourselves (Ephesians 2:8). It's because of Whose we are and what He did.

What we always need to remember is that where we are spiritually IS in Him. That's the source of our strength... especially in times of trouble and stress. I believe that this is also our goal, something that we continually grow in. If we don't realize who we are becoming then how can we ever hope to change the state of where we are? Jesus tells us:

   "If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before 

    it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you 

    as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the 

    world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the 

    world. And because of this the world hates you. (John 15:18-19, AMP)   

                                               ... 

    In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but

    be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I

    have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My 

    victory abiding.]" (John 16:33, AMP)

This is our place, our state. And in this state we are overcomers! In another verse, this state is confirmed and is emphasized as 'more than' (Romans 8:37). We are IN this world, though not OF it (John 15:19). Throughout the New Testament we are given countless scriptures to encourage and reinforce who we are and are becoming when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives. 

   "For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually 

    have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For 

    we also are His children.’" (Acts 17:28, AMP)