As a society we have come to rely on various statements & catchphrases to either express how we feel or to defend ourselves or our position in a situation. One of these statements is "That's just how I am", which is usually used after we have offended someone & refuse to take responsibility for our actions. This statement is extremely detrimental as we use it to let ourselves off the hook, from changing the offensive behavior, worse than that as believers when we utter these words we are also limiting the power of God from moving in our lives. We are not exhibiting faith in God's word that teaches us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB). When you and I accept Christ as Savior we accept the fact that Christ has come to save us from the penalty of sin (which is death) because He has died for the sins of mankind.
But when we accept Christ as Lord we accept the power of his salrific work that has the ability to change(sanctify) us in our daily living. Becoming a new creature does not mean we receive new bodies but we do receive new instructions & directions as to what to do & say with the bodies we have. When we accept Christ we now have possibility & responsibility to allow ourselves to be purged of the worldy ways we've become accustomed to living & begin living the way God intended but we must be willing!!
Being willing to allow God to change us can only occur when we recognize we don't have to live by the principles & precepts we've picked up in the world and by learning to live a surrendered life to God; not living a surrendered life to self. Many people falsely believe that living surrendered to God is an unachievable task but that's not the case Psalms 37:7(a) (GW) reminds us; Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him. We must learn that becoming a new creature requires our full surrender of self & patience in Gods process in changing us. Being remade is not an overnight process however when you allow God to work in & through you the process will manifest in your life. You will no longer say that just who I am but you'll begin to say Praise God I'm not who I used to be.
Be Blessed
Friday, January 3, 2014
The Best Hiding Place
Sometimes the circumstances of life can weigh you down beyond anything you ever imagined. It seems like issue after issue arise; you deal with one major thing then bam here comes another. Before you can rejoice that you got through one problem your hit with another. You wonder what in the world is going on? You pray & cry out to God wondering where He is at such a time, wondering if just maybe He has put too much on you. You sit & ponder your options & then almost suddenly that ole enemy presents you with a slew of options, that appeal to your flesh but hide the damage they really contain. The enemy strategically plans, plots & waits for us to get to our lowest point to present his best & most treacherous options to us & if we are not careful, mindful & deliberate we wind up choosing them, because we only see what's on the surface of his "gifted options"
What do they look like? Well the enemy always dresses up his destructive options to trap us. One option may be your favorite wine or "adult" beverage that under "non" stressful times you enjoy on occasion; but in this time of frustration he may whisper "drink a little more, drown out the pain it's alright ; it's only one time. But what he doesn't tell you is that one time of self medication can lead you down a path of unimaginable destruction because the taste will be so comforting that you'll look to it again. Another option could be the soothing arms of someone God did not ordain for you. The enemy will whisper relax that standard a little bit. It's ok to give yourself to them, nothing's going to happen. Look at every one else that has done it, nothing happened to them. What he doesn't tell you is the long term affects sexual sins have on you mentally & physically amongst other things.
While he is a cunning adversary we can reject his options How? By determining our source of strength before seasons of hardship occur. Psalms 119:114 declares You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. You must know & believe that in God you have The Best hiding place! Why? Because when you hide in Him who has come to save, heal & set you free; there is no complete protection, perfect peace & unadulterated truth that will never lead you astray.
Be Blessed
What do they look like? Well the enemy always dresses up his destructive options to trap us. One option may be your favorite wine or "adult" beverage that under "non" stressful times you enjoy on occasion; but in this time of frustration he may whisper "drink a little more, drown out the pain it's alright ; it's only one time. But what he doesn't tell you is that one time of self medication can lead you down a path of unimaginable destruction because the taste will be so comforting that you'll look to it again. Another option could be the soothing arms of someone God did not ordain for you. The enemy will whisper relax that standard a little bit. It's ok to give yourself to them, nothing's going to happen. Look at every one else that has done it, nothing happened to them. What he doesn't tell you is the long term affects sexual sins have on you mentally & physically amongst other things.
While he is a cunning adversary we can reject his options How? By determining our source of strength before seasons of hardship occur. Psalms 119:114 declares You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. You must know & believe that in God you have The Best hiding place! Why? Because when you hide in Him who has come to save, heal & set you free; there is no complete protection, perfect peace & unadulterated truth that will never lead you astray.
Be Blessed
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