We are to walk by faith and not by sight… Faith walking is exercising those spiritual muscles that the world doesn’t teach us to use, and it can be really hard to adjust to, but that’s okay. I was once told that anything you do for 30 days becomes a habit. We have to adjust ourselves to not think in accordance with the way the world thinks, remember Romans 12:2 tells us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 says:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Transformation is about growing in the knowledge of God. Adjusting our mindset to fit not what the world tells us or goes by, but what God tells us. We need to listen to what Holy Spirit is telling us, showing us. We need to be sensitive to Holy Spirit, Who is our comforter and guide and will lead us to all God desires to show us. The price for our redemption was paid by Jesus’ death on the cross for forgiveness of our sins. Our focus has GOT to be ALWAYS on Him. Stop looking at the situation, STOP trying to apply the world’s standards or train of thought to what is happening around you.
KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON JESUS
GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD
We need to be “Godly minded.” Old Slewfoot is the master deceiver, Remember?
2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us:
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
He doesn’t WANT you to walk in the fullness of God which is found in Christ Jesus. He doesn’t WANT you to walk by faith but by sight. Let me tell you the words of a wonderfully humble but wise sister of mine. These words hit home to me. They come from a woman who has truly learned to walk according to the direction of Holy Spirit, to quiet the noise around her when it tries to overshadow what it is Holy Spirit is telling her. This sister who God has placed in my life, is like an “exercise instructor” who has mastered keeping her eyes on Jesus and not her situation, to the point where it has almost become more natural for her than the ways of the world. She immediately has learned how to reject the trials and tribulations that try to bring us under and keep her eyes focused on Jesus. The saying she has taught me recently is this:
“It Ain’t What it Looks Like.”
I love that. So I say the same to you! Any time you begin to look at the storms trying to rise up in your life that want to sink you faith, you tell yourself the same! Listen! We don’t have ANY strength in and of ourselves! Our strength is in Him! What are you focusing on in your life? What is causing anxiety in you? Where are your eyes focused? Are they focused on the situation or are they focused on the Author and Finisher of your faith? Repeat after me!
“It Ain’t What it Looks Like!”
God has got you! And those that belong to Him, those that have accepted Him as Savior, made Him Lord OVER their life BELONG TO HIM! If that is you, YOU belong to God! Stop looking with your natural eyes and begin to focus on your situation, on life with spiritual ones! This CAN take some adjusting! Don’t get frustrated, keep focusing on Jesus! Your life is hidden in Him! Remember Galatians 2:20 says:
“I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives by faith 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.”
Maybe you haven’t made Jesus your Lord and Savior yet… Maybe you don’t know how to do that… It’s very simple really. If you pray this prayer, though it is a simple prayer, if you mean it in your heart as you verbally out loud say it – it will transform you in a powerful way ALL the days of your life:
“Father God, thank You for the gift of salvation that was bought at such a great price. I freely chose to accept Jesus into my heart as my Savior. I ask Him to come into my heart and be Lord OVER my life. Jesus, please forgive me of my sins, wash me with your precious blood. Make me clean. Jesus, I receive You, I believe You were born of the virgin Mary, that You lived a sin-less life and died on the cross for forgiveness of my sins. I believe You rose from the dead and even right now are seated on the right hand of the Father interceding on my behalf, and that You will come again with the resurrection of the dead. I love You Jesus and today, I choose You! In Jesus’ precious name I receive the gift of salvation, Amen.”
Once you have prayed that prayer, Holy Spirit will take residence within your heart and will begin the transformation of your mind. This transformation is a life-long process, I say this as one Who prayed a prayer similar to that one 35 years ago. We are ALL works in progress. As long as you have breath in your body transformation of how you think, how you live is one that continues to be taught ALL the days of your life. Things truly aren’t what they seem. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10:
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.”
It doesn’t matter what the world (or ol’ slewfoot) is trying to tell you what your reality is – YOUR reality is found in Christ Jesus. YOUR life belongs to Him. Don’t get caught up with looking at the “mirage” occurring around you – get caught up in the truth of God. The One Who has ordained ALL your days! The Author and Finisher of your faith!
GOD REIGNS!
Your situation does NOT reign! Your situation is NOT in control over you – if you belong to God, YOU belong to Him! Eyes on Jesus! Stop getting distracted and allowing glances to the waves beating around you. Stop listening to the whispers of the evil one, who does NOT want you to go further in your walk with Christ. He wants you to think that your situation is STRONGER and GREATER than God! He wants you to think that you have been defeated! He wants you to think that God is a liar! Isn’t THAT ironic? The Father of lies wants you to think that the One Who LOVED you SO much that He left the glories of Heaven to come RIGHT down here where you are – meet you where you are at! Would deceive you! Would lie to you! Doesn’t that sound REALLY ridiculous when you think about it? He wants you to think the One who was born of the virgin Mary, the One Who lived a sin-less life and CHOSE to die on the cross taking all YOUR sins and the sins of the world upon Himself so that in the acceptance of His sacrifice for you, YOU would become redeemed and have a RIGHT relationship through His shed blood and life sacrifice with the Father. The father of lies wants you to reject God’s precious gift. Wants you to think that God doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Hey, I say to you:
“IT AIN’T WHAT IT SEEMS.”
Reject the lies of the devil! Turn and focus on the One Who LOVES you! Who DIED for you! The One who has plans to prosper you, NOT to harm you! The One who has plans to give you hope and a future!
THAT FUTURE IS FOUND IN HIM!
Whatever you are going through, God is with you! He will NOT forsake you! Stop looking at your situation through your physical eyes and worldy knowledge. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and trust that the life you gave Him (it’s not your own anymore it is His) will accomplish ALL that He has in store for you. Because YOU belong to Him! You are His!
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