The environment we create

Let's stop worrying about what everyone else is doing

“… This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name.”

-Hebrews 13:13-15 MSG

Since the world isn’t spending eternity doing what we are doing, wondering what we are doing, or wanting to do what we are doing, then we truly need to stop doing the same - trying so hard to fit in and pretending to be people we were not meant to be.  Friends, Jesus made us who we are and that’s that – period!

Therefore, spend your precious time worrying about eternity with Christ: be yourself fully and honestly, taking  your priceless time living the pleasant and enjoyable life God has graciously given you.

Good times ahead

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

If we can realize that our hard times are all part of God's plans for us -blessings in disguise and all of them worth every second - then life will be a lot less complicated and stressful, and hard times are all they are - simply, hard times.  For when we hold steadfast in Christ hard times are not a big deal because we know they lead to some God-blessed, amazing, good times ahead.   

Praise God!!!

https://wearetrulyhappy.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/defeated-disheartened-hopeless-lost-low-self-esteem-who-said-so-think-very-carefully-again-please/

Time for a clean break

“Dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without.  Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.” 

– 2 Corinthians 7:1 MSG

Time for some cleaning – deep and thorough – inside and out!  It is time to clean up what we are allowing in our lives; it is time to take back the control that has been given to us by God.

First, and foremost, is the inside:  Decide, right now, what you are going to allow into your heart, mind, body and spirit.  Is it going to be God or man?

As well, take control over your health, which means, take control of what you allow to be fed inside your body.  Is it beneficial to your health, or is it not?  If not, get rid of it! Period!

Secondly, the outside:  Decide who and what you are going to allow into your world.  Are you going to allow a dark world and dark people to influence your mind, or are you going to take a stand and separate yourself enough so that you do not fall into their wayward blues and blahs?

Friends, God has given us all control over the powerful forces of the darkness, so use it for yourself.  Dress, daily, with God’s armor, and never, ever, forget that God is for you, no one can stand against you, and no devil of hell can overtake you if you don’t allow it – in the name of Jesus accept it, and move forward to the victories that await you.

Be blessed.

Building your temple from within.

“Yes, [you are building a temple of the Lord, but] it is He who shall build the [true temple of the Lord…]…” Zechariah 6:13

Although this verse refers to the rebuilding of the Lord’s temple in the Old Testament, I think there is another way we can look at it: Many of us work so hard at building our outer life, however, if we don’t have God, then we have no 'true' foundation to build upon.  So, when one gets to the top of where they want to be, and then crash, they lie there wondering where they went wrong.

To me, I think the majority of failures are because actions are undertaken without seeking God first.  Yes, it is important to work at obtaining our goals on the outside, but it is more important to seek God first within and let Him direct us as how to obtain them; let Him guide us and form us on the inside. 

Therefore, before taking on any project, obtaining any goal, or making a major life decision, make sure to seek God first; with Him all things are possible, obtainable, and solid. However, without Him, all things are still possible and obtainable, but very fragile and weak, and will soon collapse at the first sign of trouble!!

It's not about the mirror

“It’s not about the mirror; it’s about the one we’re trying to mirror.”

Graciously quoted from +The Daniel Plan Study Guide, By ++Rick Warren and the Daniel Plan Team

Your outer appearance is only a cover, your real beauty shines from your heart - from within.  

So look not at your physical appearance, instead look to Jesus, Jesus within you, and let His beauty shine through, for it is a beauty that will drop even the most conceited individual to their knees.

@Rickwarren, @Danielplanstudyguide, 

Your body is not your own. Your body is God's.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20New Living Translation (NLT)

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Are you honoring God with your body?  Are you following the Spirit of God, or your own spirit of never being quite up to par?  Are you consistently beating yourself up, putting yourself down, over-eating, over-exercising, over-critizing yourself, your looks, your body?  I know that most of us can answer these questions with a big ol', 'YES!', which means we are beating up God's beautiful creation; which means, we are basically living in sin - sin (all sin, no matter the sin) which leads to death.  

Well enough is enough!  It is time to stop focusing on death and begin to focus on God, LIFE! We must try to remember that He owns our bodies, He made our bodies, and, therefore, we must change our way of thinking about our bodies; the way we talk about our bodies, the way we torture our bodies with food, exercise, stress and strain, and the way we look at and see ourselves, (our bodies), in the mirror.  

Friends, change is in dire order if a good portion of your life is spent being unhappy with YOU; who you are and how you were made.  So, let's begin to live out the way God has made us.  Let's see our bodies the way that God made them: perfect!!  And, most of all, remember this: our bodies are God's and made by God, and He makes no imperfect being. 

You are beautiful!  Now, begin to live and believe like it!!!

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Outside-in

"... Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something."  Matthew 23:26 MSG

In other words:  Don't be a phony!

It's not worth it.  Being phony takes a lot of needless time, effort, money...SIN, and all it leads to is the depths of darkness and hell, Satan's home.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=7Nw2owid&id=FC3D7C11FAFB98588D0B460E8561928FCA00CC40&thid=OIP.7Nw2owidvNw-krmKIdnKugEsEs&q=don%27t+be+a+phony&simid=608030021854298468&selectedIndex=3&ajaxhist=0

The land before you

"But today, Jeremiah, I'm setting you free, taking the chains off your hands... Look, the whole land stretches out before you.  Do what you like..." Jeremiah 40:4-5 MSG

In the same way that Jeremiah was set free from prison in Babylon, you are set free from bondage and sin thanks be to Christ Jesus who died on the cross just for you.  So, get up on the inside and out - look around, look ahead - the world is before you - go out and do great and mighty things in the name of Jesus; conquer the unconquerable! 

You can do it, my friend,  you are God's child and there is nothing too impossible for you (Phil 4:13)!!



http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=fJGH480w&id=07B9EBA5301BC70FFF0918B23CB9DB1804EB0B30&q=God+has+the+world+for+you+to+conquer&simid=608004256229491677&selectedIndex=9&ajaxhist=0

Hearts and motives

“… God examines every heart and sees through every motive…” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 MSG

How’s your heart?  How’s your motives?  Do you have a clear conscience when you go to bed at night?  Do you feel like you’ve brought a smile to anybody’s face lately?  Well, if you heart is dark and your motives are shady then it’s time to kick it into high gear and get on board with God.  So, dig in to the Word, pray without ceasing, repent for your wrongs, forgive those that have wronged you, and let bygones be bygones; cleanse your heart of all unrighteousness and let the glory of Christ fill you, surround you, and love you to wholeness.  And, soon, my friend, your nights will be filled with peace, your heart will be filled with joy, and your motives will be fueled by knowing that you are helping someone else.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwii8K-kyNHPAhVC6GMKHcK-BXEQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F494551602807805636%2F&psig=AFQjCNE9meVs3pKEFs5CFho8dMX6DCo2rw&ust=1476234456613522

+Billy Graham Evangelistic Association 

What is coming from your heart?

"There is not [even] one thing outside a man which by going into him can pollute and defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him and make him unhallowed and unclean." Mark 7:15 AMP

Do you listen to your words?  Do you watch your actions? Do you pay attention to your thoughts? Do you take accountability for your attitude?  Do you listen to God, read the Word of God, and trust in God with all that you are?  Take a moment and think about each question; answer each of them honestly.  If any of your answers are, No, Maybe, I don't know, or, Not really, then there needs to be some life altering changes in your life.  Start by taking these questions and putting them some place where you can ask yourself on a regular basis.  Make it your goal to always say, Yes, to each one.  

Now, I know as humans we will have times that we fall, and our attitudes, words, thoughts, and the like will follow suit.  However, we are still accountable, and we still have no excuse to act, speak, and think anything less than what God commands.  So, stay accountable to these questions. Not only will they keep your life free from destruction and humiliation, they will also keep the door open to your life so that God can anoint you to do the amazing works He has put you here to do!!  

Friend, you are amazing!  If you were anything less, you wouldn't be here, because  God doesn't make second-rate humans.  No, God only makes excellence!!  Therefore, with that said, don't ever think you are anything less, and don't ever allow yourself to become anything less.

Clean out from within.

“… First clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may be clean also.” Matthew 23:26 AMP

Clean the darkness and filth, (sin, hurt, anger, pain, resentment, fear, etc.), out of your mind, body, and soul, otherwise the environment in which you live will not be glorified and blessed by God.  What you live, (think, believe, dwell on, etc.), on the inside will be what you live on the outside.  So, let me ask, how are you living on the inside? Are you living in love, joy, peace, patience, perseverance, hope, and praise? Or, are you living in hurt, pain, neglect, fear, darkness, doubt, and hate?  If it is the latter of the two, then it is time to dig into God; let Him wash you clean; He will revive you with His love.  So surrender to Him and a new life is yours – renewed and refreshed from the inside out.

Remember, you only have this one chance to live, and without Him filling your mind, body, an soul, then you really won’t stand a chance at all.

 

Outside actions vs. the inside heart

“…I did not speak to your fathers… concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.  But this thing I did command them: Listen and obey My voice, and I will be your God and you will be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command you, that it may be well with you.”

Jeramiah 7:22-23

Whatever outward actions you are doing to try an impress God (and probably people), please STOP!  Honestly, you are wasting your time.  God judges by the heart, and whether or not you listen to His callings, as well as, do what He is telling you to do.  Yes, you may be able to fool people, but there is absolutely no way in the world you can fool Him.  Therefore, make sure you have a right heart for God; listen when He speaks to you, and boldly, very boldly, do what He asks you to do.  Then, my friend, it will be well with you, and you will undoubtedly know that He IS your very precious God.