Used Parts & Trade-Ins

Posted on 02/03/2026 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

WORDS (Scripture Reflection & Meditation):

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

THOUGHTS (Viewpoints & Considerations):

Living and doing life in the day-to-day can cause a lot of wear and tear on a person. The weight of responsibilities, the heaviness of carrying relationships or of learning how to exist beyond or in spite of dysfunctional relationships, the burden of proving self over and over again in the spaces that are occupied, and the pressure of figuring out identity and purpose all while the world steadily tries to shape you according to its will – these things have a way of shaking the foundation of one’s state of mind and state of being. For the individual who does not know the LORD, however, it can especially be an avoirdupois weight. It – the totality of the load – can be wearisome and worrisome, bringing about a dilapidation in spirit.

A dilapidation in spirit, much like an old, worn out, used up, tired, on-its-last-leg clunker that has born miles and miles of usage, tells of a life that has been exposed to decay and overuse. It tells of a life that has exhausted itself by replacing parts over and over again until no proper replacements can be found. It tells of a life that is, perhaps, out of alignment and therefore cannot function or run optimally. It tells of a life that may have structural integrity issues, thereby making it fall into a state of disrepair sooner than is wanted, needed, or expected. It tells of a life, a vessel, a vehicle (for all intents) that is not performing at its best. This is what a life without Christ is akin to.

BUT…what if an opportunity presented itself where the ideal trade-in could occur? What would happen if the person who has yet to know Christ as LORD and Savior (or even the person who knows of Christ but has lost his or her direction where He and His way are concerned) decides to take the used up, dilapidated parts of self to the Master [Mechanic]? Dare I say that the [holy] upgrade is worth eternal salvation? The LORD’s new creation model with its new life interior and transformed vessel exterior can become the purposed vehicle it was always meant to be. It can run more smoothly, without limitations, fully and optimally, with a guaranteed life warranty.

DEEDS (Actions & Intentions):

Trade in your fear, and replace it with faith.

Trade in your sorrow, and replace it with joy.

Trade in your bondage, and replace it with freedom.

Trade in your unrest, and replace it with peace.

Trade in your weakness, and replace it with strength.

Trade in your negativity, and replace it with praise.

Trade in your bitterness, and replace it with sweetness.

Trade in your brokenness, and replace it with wholeness.

Trade in your life of old, and replace it with a new life in Christ.

THE TAKEAWAY & ENCOURAGEMENT: Exchange all that is [old self, old life] with all that could be [new self, new life] by subscribing to Jesus’ restoration model. His contract is sure. Transfer the ownership title of your life into His hands. You will not regret it.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 11:28-29

GOING FURTHER: Complete a comparative analysis of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Matthew 11:28-29.

Photo Credit: Kia Country of Savannah

Happy New Year!

Posted on 01/01/2020 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

#awaken

“You must be willing to let go of who you have been to become who you were meant to be.” – Anonymous

Power Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” – AMP

–

Photo courtesy of Dayfinders

The HOSEA Intensive|Valued

Posted on 07/28/2015 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

A Phone Tree Bible Study Series based on HOSEA: Unfailing Love Changes Everything by Jennifer Rothschild

“Because Hosea valued her, she began to feel her own value. She was no longer known as ‘Gomer the prostitute.’ She was known as ‘Gomer, the chosen bride.’ Her identity had changed; her life was changing.”

In Real Time: While no one can ever really know just what Gomer was thinking or telling herself way back when, I’m sure we can each certainly see parts of ourself in her story and experiences. We can see the conflict that existed between choosing to do the right thing versus the wrong thing. We can see the struggle that she may have had to accept her new self when her tendency might have been to find comfort in her old self. On the outside looking in, we can see possibilities and relational strengths where she may have only been able to see unworthiness and shame.

Moving beyond the negative labels and names that we write on our lives and hearts can be difficult. Changing our mindset and attitude can be a challenge. More than that, accepting that we are worthy, only in Christ, is… (you finish that).

But what if we did begin to see ourselves as chosen? What if we did begin to see ourselves as valuable? What if we did allow God’s words about us to be written, carved, and etched on our lives?

3 Questions:

1) What labels or names have you given yourself over the course of your life? Are they positive or negative? (Spiritual Life Fitness Challenge: Explore your past and identify what labels or names others have used to define you. Did what they say about you or to you shape the way you think about yourself?)

2) Which is easier, to see yourself as a prostitute or to see yourself as a chosen bride?

3) If you are in Christ, what does the LORD say about who you are in Him?

Spirit-to-spirit Wisdom Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Life We Live In the After

Posted on 07/01/2015 by The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

The life that we live in the after of coming to Christ and baptism is filled with promise as well as challenges. It is filled with struggle, yes, but it is also filled with hope. It is and can forever be a time of refreshing transformation and positive life change.

The challenge or the struggle for most comes by way of the releasing of the old – the old life, the old thoughts, the old relationships, the old idols. However, the promise, the hope, and the beauty of the new…oh, how very rich it is with possibilities. It is filled with opportunities to see, to say, to experience, and to be all that the LORD has declared.

And the what of it all is that we only have to surrender ourselves to our LORD and Savior in every way. All we have to do is release the old (self) and embrace the new (life in Christ).

If it seems too hard to let go of the old, just remember that none of us have to do things alone anymore if we are in Christ. No. Why? Well, we don’t have to do anything alone anymore because we walk in Him and in His newness. All that He encompasses becomes ours. We become partakers. His strength becomes our strength. His truth becomes our truth. His blessed gift becomes ours.

Morning Meditation: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)

“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!”