The things that matter to you define how you try and live right? Proverbs 23:7 says:
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”.
So, how you think defines how you live… Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Belief” in the three ways listed below:
“Something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion.”
or
“A state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing.”
or
“Conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence.”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Christian” as:
“One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
We have to be so careful who it is we are choosing to put as the center of our lives. If we are putting “man” as the center of our lives, we are out of order. If you are more concerned with what others in your life think of you, want you to act or live then you are on how God says HE wants you to live, what HE wants you to represent, how HE wants you to be – than your life is out of order.
Colossians 1:16 tells us:
“For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.”
Isaiah 43:21 tells us:
“The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
Isaiah 43:7 tells us:
“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” “
So, if you profess to be a Christian and believe the Bible IS God’s written Word, then the purpose YOU were originally made was FOR God. FOR His purpose… Not for your own. And here is the thing about it! God’s purpose for you is SO MUCH better than ANY purpose you could think of for yourself! We really are doing ourselves a disservice when we choose to go “our way” instead of the Way God created us with the intention of going! And usually, (let’s be honest) when we take matters into our own hands, we make a complete mess and find ourselves wondering how we allowed ourselves to get into the situations or dilemmas we get in! Because we think we know what’s best! OR We try to take the Bible out of context and “make it” what WE want it to say, instead of what God SAYS it says! That’s really a very dangerous thing to do, in fact Proverbs 30:6 tells us:
“Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
And Revelations 22:19 tells us:
“”And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.””
When we profess that we have made Jesus our Savior, Lord OVER our lives we are professing that as in Galatians 2:20:
“ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Now in all honesty, conforming to Christ is a life-long process, unlike Jesus, who IS perfect, there is NO perfect Christian. As long as we have breathe in our bodies we are to be allowing Holy Spirit to transform our mind. God knows that! Romans 12:2 tells us:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
And 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us:
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
And also as in Romans 8:5:
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Spiritual growth IS a process! But in order to grow IN Christ, we have to put Him AS the center of our lives. Every decision we make should be made prayerfully, seeking God for His will, His way and His purpose in our lives. When we make Jesus Lord OVER our lives we find peace, we find purpose, we find joy and satisfaction. Our lives are in the order that God intended. If you notice the order of scripture, Adam’s FIRST relationship was with God. It wasn’t until AFTER Father God and Adam had developed a one on One relationship that God (because He blesses MORE abundantly than we can EVEN imagine) decided in Genesis Genesis 2:18:
” “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” “
Eve did NOT come first with Adam, God did! There was order to God’s purpose for man. I find the amazing thing that happens in my relationship with with Father God, is that relationships gain perspective when I have placed my relationship with God above and before my relationship with others. Matthew 10:37-39 tells us:
” “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” “
This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t want us to love others – it means that we were called to love Him FIRST. When we love Him first, we love others BETTER. (Even if they don’t see it that way…). In fact, we love OURSELVES better, when we put God in His rightful place, which is first in our lives. Really, when we strive to keep God in the center of our lives, it is His great pleasure to add everything else. Making sure He is first in our lives is a conscientious process, aligning ourselves up with His will. The only way that we can do this is to continue to pray, read our Word and seek after the One Who (by the way) IS the Lover of our souls. When our life IS in the correct order, we experience the blessings of God because our steps are ordered by Him – we just have to choose to walk in them! 🙂
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Is Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through this word? If so, leave a comment below! I love hearing from you!
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